There are only a few cardy varieties left. We list the most important varieties, seeds of which can also be ordered from online retailers.
Cardoons, also known as cardi, are not dissimilar to artichokes. On the one hand you can use the thistle-like plant for delicious dishes, on the other hand they are an extravagant ornamental plant in the home garden. Hobby gardeners like to grow more than just one cardy: Some can be used to beautify the garden and one or two specimens can be used as a year-round food.
As is so often the case when growing vegetables, the gardener is spoiled for choice: there are newer varieties without thorns or tried-and-tested cardy varieties with thorns. Lovers know exactly what is so special about the prickly cardoon plants: their incomparable aroma! Some online seed retailers have a large selection of Cardy seeds in stock, and well stocked gardening shops usually have Cardy seeds on offer.
We have listed some of the common and well-tried varieties here for you:
- Cardon argente épineux de Plainpalais
- Argenté de Genève
- Centofoglie
- Gobbo gigante di Romagna