Artichoke, Tavor Imperial Star

Tavor is the artichoke for cold-climate gardeners who want a harvest in their first year—no tricks or complicated vernalization required. With nearly spineless plants (easier harvesting!) that produce 7-8 buttery, purple-tipped buds in just 90 days, you'll actually get to enjoy homegrown artichokes instead of just admiring the plants.

Artichoke: Transform your garden into a Mediterranean fantasy with the architectural beauty of Artichokes, offering dramatic 4-5 foot silvery-green foliage and yielding 6-12 gourmet, edible flower buds per plant annually. Prized for their nutty, buttery hearts, these culinary aristocrats can be steamed, grilled, or stuffed. If left unharvested, the buds mature into stunning 6-inch purple thistle flowers, drawing valuable pollinators. Artichokes are perennial in zones 7-11 but can be successfully grown as productive annuals in colder regions.

• Growing Tips: Transplant 3-4 feet apart in spring after the last frost when the soil is warm; heavy mulch provides essential winter protection in zones 6 and colder.

• Sun Requirements: Full sun (6-8 hours minimum) is essential for robust growth and bud formation, though they prefer cool nights during bud development.

• Preferred Soil: Rich, well-drained, fertile soil, ideally amended with compost, with consistent moisture. Artichokes are heavy feeders and require regular fertilization.

• Harvest Details: Cut buds when they are still tight, plump, and compact, before the scales begin opening or purple florets emerge; regular harvesting (initial harvest typically 85-100 days post-transplant) encourages continued production.