Cardoon Planted - Inspired by Fragrance Garden - October 2023
Earlier this Summer, I posted some photos and details of the plantings in the beds of the Fragrance Garden at the Morton Arboretum and documented some of the things that I struck me as interesting - including the use of a new (to me) plant: Cardoon. So imagine my surprise when I came across this sign at The Growing Place. Sure enough...Cardoon. It is in the herbs and vegetables section. It was cheap to begin with...and with 50% off, I figured I'd take a shot. Is it cold hardy to Zone 5B? I don't think so. But, I planted it - this late in the season - anyway. Only way to learn, right? And, for two bucks, why not get a little joy out of this freakshow of a plant. I put it IB2DWs - where I would see it A LOT. See below for location. Cardoon planted as a bedding plant I'm going to mulch it in pretty hard (pile biosolids on top of the crown) when the foliage dies back, but I'm pretty sure this won't come back - as it is usually listed to Zone 7 . But, next y