When is a daisy not a daisy? You may be surprised by the answer!
Usually we associate the term 'daisy' with summer-flowering plants used in an ornamental garden. However, there are many edible 'daisies'. Well, to be correct, there are many edible members of the Asteraceae (Daisy family) such as lettuce (Lactuca sp.), yes lettuce! Two other edible 'daisies in disguise' include the globe and the Jerusalem artichokes.
Globe artichoke
The spectacular globe artichoke (Cyanara cardunculus var. scolymus) show below is a perennial thistle-like plant grown for its edible flower buds, specifically the fleshy base (heart) and leaves (bracts). We love to steam the heart and bracts gently, then serve with a lemon and garlic sauce and salt for dipping. The simple pleasures in life!
We didn't get around to harvesting this particular individual in time to eat it (summer holidays and all that), receiving a fantastic floral display instead. When an artichoke matures and is left to flower, its tightly packed bracts (the edible part) open up to reveal the vibrant purple florets. These florets are attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies. However, unfortunately for us, this flowering means that the artichoke is no longer suitable for eating, as the bracts and heart become tough and fibrous once the plant has flowered.
There are many varieties of globe artichokes available, varying in plant and bud size and bud colour. These large, architectural perennials can grow up to 1.5m tall and 1m wide, and they possess large, silvery grey-green leaves. A very ornamental addition to an edible garden!
Jerusalem artichoke
The terms globe artichoke and artichoke often refer to the same plant. The 'globe artichoke' specifically refers to the Cynara species with edible flower buds, while 'artichoke' can either be shorthand for globe artichoke or refer to other unrelated plants , including one that can be planted in your edible garden, although with caution!
The Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) is a completely different plant to the globe artichoke. Whilst both 'artichokes' belong to the Daisy family and are perennial plants, the Jerusalem artichoke is more closely related to sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) and puts on a very floriferous display in the garden. This 'artichoke' is grown for its edible tubers which have a nutty and sweet taste. However, when harvesting those tasty tubers, many small tubers can be remain in the soil. Tubers left in the ground, whether intentionally or unintentionally, are likely to sprout again in spring, making it challenging to remove artichokes permanently from a particular location if they are no longer desired.
To cultivate Jerusalem artichoke without them becoming a pest in your garden beds, then I highly recommend the advice of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) here: How to grow Jerusalem artichokes. Do note however, that the planting and harvesting months provided by the RHS are for gardeners in the northern hemisphere, only understandable given it is a UK institution!
If you need more advice about selecting which variety of globe or Jerusalem artichoke to grow, or how to cultivate it in your garden, speak to your local nursery or garden centre. Or ask a friend who has grown them before, especially if their garden has similar climatic conditions. Avoid the big box stores ... this is not generally their area of expertise!
A bientôt!
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