Cardoon ‘Bianco Avorio’ (Cynara cardunculus)

1 well-established plant in a 9cm pot, sent in plastic-free packaging. A statuesque Italian heirloom vegetable, prized for its broad, ivory-white stalks and exceptionally tender, spineless growth.

Perennial | 150-200cm tall | Full sun | Edible blanched stalks | Superb biomass generator and pollinator magnet

Cardoon ‘Bianco Avorio’ (translating to ‘Ivory White’) is a statuesque Mediterranean giant that brings both striking architecture and gourmet potential to the kitchen garden. Unlike older, fiercely spiky varieties, this variety is virtually spineless, making it easy to cultivate and handle. It produces deeply lobed, silver-green leaves and broad, pale ivory stems. When wrapped and blanched in late autumn, these thick midribs become incredibly tender. Once cooked, they reveal a nutty and subtly sweet artichoke flavour.

Like with other cardoons, the ‘Bianco avorio’ has a deep tap root that helps it be incredibly resilient and tolerant of dry, poor conditions. The tap root also helps to bring nutrients from the subsoil up to the surface, making them more accessible to the surrounding plants.  The sheer size and volume of its foliage provide an abundance of organic matter, making it an ideal candidate for “chop and drop” mulching to naturally suppress weeds and lock in moisture. If permitted to flower, the plant sends up stalks crowned with oversized, electric-purple thistle flowers. These blooms are a crucial late-season nectar source, while the seed heads provide winter forage for birds.

Although this edible perennial is large, it will be a beautiful, resilient edible to add to your garden, providing a delicious harvest and positive ecological benefit.

Delivery Information

All plants are carefully packed and sent in plastic-free packaging to protect both the plant and the environment. Plants are dispatched promptly so they arrive fresh, healthy, and ready to plant.

We ship orders using a tracked 24-hour delivery service, helping to minimise time in transit and reduce stress on the plant. Orders are packed by hand at the nursery, and we aim to dispatch early in the week to avoid delays over weekends.

If you have any questions about delivery timing or combining orders, please get in touch before ordering and we will be happy to help.

To find out more about other plants for your garden visit – https://dyfiplants.substack.com