The Ornamental Edible Plant You Can Grow In Fall & Winter That Pollinators Love

Few plants are attractive, edible, and keep your garden full of pollinators through fall, but one species in the sunflower family seems to do it all. Cardoons (Cynara cardunculus) are edible, thistle-like plants that are closely related to artichokes but are often grown ornamentally for their stunning purple flowers and attractive foliage. They're a somewhat large plant, reaching 3 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. Their bold appearance and blue-gray leaves make them a worthy addition to mixed borders or Mediterranean gardens. If you do choose to add this herbaceous perennial to an edible garden, you can enjoy its artichoke-like flavored leaf stalks and unopened buds.

Once their large, spiky flowers emerge, they aren't worth eating anymore. However, you may want to allow them to bloom if you're trying to bring more butterflies and bees to your yard. Their bright lavender flowers are highly attractive to pollinators, and they're perfect for providing food in cooler months when nectar is more scarce. Additionally, their spiny leaves make them unpalatable to larger pests like rabbits and deer, so make sure to plant a few in front of more vulnerable plants. They aren't just beautiful in the garden, either; you can snip the stems and use them to create interesting floral arrangements. It's important to note that they're considered invasive in parts of the East Coast, particularly in California, so check your state's invasive species list before planting.

Cardoons are low-maintenance and are one of the easiest plants to grow for beginner gardeners. These tough plants are drought-tolerant and can even grow in poor soil, though they prefer rich, well-drained soils. Just give them plenty of sunshine and some wind protection, and they'll handle the rest. They're hardy in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 9 but can be grown as annuals in cooler climates. Native to the Mediterranean, they thrive in regions with mild winters and hot, dry summers. In extreme summer heat, they often go dormant, but the taproot will remain active underground. When grown within their hardiness zone, the plant will reemerge the following year.

To grow cardoons, start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the final frost. Alternatively, you can purchase young plants to plant outside once the danger of frost has passed. They're quick growers and will reach their full size by the end of the growing season, so make sure you give them plenty of room to spread. Once established, you can harvest the flower buds and eat them like you would artichokes, but bees and other pollinators would prefer it if you allow them to open out into nectar-rich blooms. Once spent, leave the dead flowerheads in place for winter interest and to attract birds to the seeds that follow.