Violetta Artichoke
A stunning heirloom variety from northern Italy, Violetta produces deep purple artichokes that contrast beautifully with the foliage when they are in bud. Slightly smaller and later ripening than the Green Globe Artichoke but particularly tender and delicious. Violetta will make a bold statement in the perennial vegetable garden or even in the perennial flower border with its striking purple flowers that open in late summer if the artichokes are not harvested before.
Latin Name: Cynara scolymus
Site and Soil: Violetta Artichoke likes 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Pollination Requirements: Artichokes are self-fertile.
Hardiness: Artichokes will die back after hard frost. With mulching, they can be grown where temperatures fall to minus 10 F.
Bearing Age: 1 year after planting.
Size at Maturity: 4-5 ft. in height.
Bloom Time: Late summer
Ripening Time: Fall
Yield: 6-8 Artichokes per plant
Pests & Diseases: Artichokes are not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 6
Sunset Western Zone: 4-7,8,9, 11-13,14-24
Sunset Northeast Zone: 34, 38, in other zones grow as annual