• Cynara cardunculus ssp. flavescens
  • Cynara cardunculus ssp. flavescens
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Cynara cardunculus ssp. flavescens

This plant will not be available in 2026, however, propagation is planned/underway. Please sign up for the waitlist below to receive updates on availability in future years.

Cardoons are some of the most magnificent architectural and sculptural herbaceous plants. We love their large, silvery, spiky leaves and purple puff flowers.

Cynara cardunculus ssp. flavescens is a lovely variety with a relatively petite stature - perfect for smaller gardens! 

Happiest in very fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Amend soil with well-rotted compost at planting time. 

Distinctions: Winner of an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society

Zones: 6 to 9 
Family: Asteraceae
Type: Perennial
Height: 24 to 39 in.
Spread: 24 to 36 in.
Exposure: full sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained, dry, average
Bloom Time: July to October
Native Range: the Mediterranean

Special Characteristics
  • Pollinator favorite
  • Silver foliage
  • Winter interest
  • Architectural
  • Deer-resistant
  • Snail Resistant
  • Cut-flower
  • Edible
image credits

Ziegler175, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
peganum from Henfield, England, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cynara cardunculus ssp. flavescens
Cynara cardunculus ssp. flavescens

See all in this genus

Image of green Cynara seedlings.Image of green Cynara seedlings.
garden location coming soongarden location coming soon
 

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seedling image

Cynara cardunculus ssp. flavescens

We are slowly creating a seedling image library to help make weeding easier.
garden location coming soongarden location coming soon
 
Image of green Cynara seedlings.Image of green Cynara seedlings.