Artichokes in the Edible Landscape
March 28, 2010
An artichoke border at the Edible Estates garden
Every few days, I pass this Edible Estates garden on my way to the thunderdome. I think it is a beautiful garden and a wonderful example of what someone can do in a small yard here in Austin. One thing that really stands out to me is the use of artichokes on the front edge of the landscape, lining the sidewalk and cascading over the cedar log border. Not only is the artichoke edible, but it is also beautiful. It’s grey-green foliage is a fabulous contrast to most other green-colored plants that grow in our garden and it’s fern-like leaves spread out like fans and act as a living mulch for the plant.
Artichokes are actually thistles and can be grown as perennials here in Austin. With a bit of protection from freezes, they will continue to produce edible buds for many years. They will also sprout off-shoots that you can re-plant in other places. If artichokes do die back, they will re-grow from the roots.
It is a good time to plant artichokes in your garden and if you have some extra space in your landscape beds, try some green globes!
