Artichoke ‘Violet de Provence’ is a classic French heirloom prized for its striking violet-tinged buds, exceptional flavour, and impressive productivity. This beautiful perennial artichoke produces sculptural heads with tight, fleshy scales — perfect for steaming, roasting, or harvesting young as gourmet baby artichokes.
 
With strong, architectural plants that thrive in UK gardens, ‘Violet de Provence’ brings both ornamental impact and reliable crops year after year. Its bold silver-green foliage makes it a statement plant in the vegetable garden or perennial border, and the tall stems with violet buds are a favourite with growers looking to add texture to kitchen harvests or floral arrangements.
Ideal for gardeners seeking a productive, hardy, and easy-to-grow artichoke variety, this heritage type performs especially well in sunny, sheltered spots with well-drained soil. Once established, it delivers generous yields and attracts pollinators when allowed to flower.
 
When to sow: Feb–Apr
 
HOW TO SOW ARTICHOKES:
Sow in pots or deep trays filled with damp compost and  cover with 2cm of soil . Ideal temp 18°C. Transplant into individual pots once large enough to handle and grow on until the following year.

Plant out the following spring into final cropping position, into ground with plenty of well rotted manure and fertilizer. 
Classification: Perennial
Expert Level: Intermediate
Germination time: 2–3 weeks
Flowering Time: Jul–Sep
 
Site: Full sun/Sheltered position
Soil Type: Will grow in most soils
Soil Acidity: All Types
Moisture: Well drained
Care: Mulch in winter to protect crowns. Remove side shoots for larger buds. Cut back dead foliage in autumn.
Use: Culinary – steamed, grilled, or roasted. Ornamental – striking architectural foliage and flowers.
HARVEST: Cut buds just before scales begin to open. Harvest main head first to encourage side shoots.
 
Days to Maturity:  2nd Year
Feed: Manure
Height:120–150 cm
Plant Spacing:  90 cm