Artichoke
Colorado Red Star

Easy-to-grow annual artichoke with purplish-green bracts, perfect for various climates. Produces stunning purple globes in first season.

About Colorado Red Star

An easier-to-grow artichoke, Colorado Red Star can be grown as an annual from seed in a wide range of climates. The bracts range from purplish-green to paintbrush strokes of plum, with a perfect globe shape. While artichoke has historically been a perennial vegetable requiring two years or a period of vernalization, breeder Keith Mayberry developed the Imperial Star, a variety that will develop heads early in the first year, with just 10 days of cool weather required! Colorado Red Star was the result of Keith crossing his green bract, Imperial Star, with purple varieties from Peru. The result: a 2- to 3-foot tall edible ornamental that produces stunning purple globes easily in the first season. Ideal for cold winter locations where overwintering perennial artichokes is difficult, and it is also perfect for hot southern climates where getting the requisite cold treatment for perennial types is not possible. Due to a lower germination rate of 49%, we’re including extra seeds in each packet to ensure a full planting.