Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem Artichoke)
Jerusalem Artichoke, Canada Potato, Earth Apple, Girasole, Indian Potato, Pignut, Sunchoke, Helianthus tomentosus
Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem Artichoke) is a showy perennial with broad, thick leaves and a profusion of attractive, brilliant flowers, 2-4 in. (5-10 cm), each with up to 10-20 bright yellow rays surrounding a darker yellow central disk. Produced in late summer to early fall, the blossoms are borne on stout, rough, branching stems. They are particularly attractive to birds as they love to eat the seeds directly from the seedheads.
Jerusalem Artichoke was an important food plant for native Americans. It is still grown today for the harvest of the tubers since they are highly nutritious and, unlike potatoes, contain no starch. Rich of an artichoke taste, the tubers may be eaten fresh or raw, boiled or roasted like potatoes.
Grown for its attractive and showy sunflowers or for its edible tubers, Jerusalem Artichoke is perfect for naturalized areas where it can spread to form colonies.
- Typically grows up to 6-10 ft. tall (180-300 cm) and 3-5 ft. wide (90-150 cm). Will spread by rhizomes and self-seeding to form colonies. Once planted in the landscape, this herbaceous perennial is difficult to remove.
- Prefers full sun or part shade in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. However, this plant is not too fussy about soils and tolerates a wide range of conditions as long as there is good drainage. Drought tolerant, but performs best with consistent moisture. May need staking, particularly if grown in exposed locations.
- Low maintenance, this is an excellent choice for vegetable gardens, cottage gardens, bird or butterfly gardens, wildflower gardens, prairies and meadows.
- Attractive to bird, butterflies, it is deer resistant.
- Plant tubers in the garden after last spring frost date or in fall after first frost has occurred.
- Native to North America
Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Gorgeous Sunflowers
Cherished for their beauty, Sunflowers (Helianthus) are striking ornamental annuals or perennial plants grown for their colorful summer and fall blooms. Fast-growing, they can reward you with glamorous blooms between 55 and 100 days after planting. Here are some basic rules that need to be followed to enjoy their splendid flowers.Read More
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Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 9 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Helianthus - Sunflowers |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Late) Fall |
Height | 6' – 10' (180cm – 3m) |
Spread | 3' – 5' (90cm – 150cm) |
Spacing | 36" – 60" (90cm – 150cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Sibiriak / Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 9 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Helianthus - Sunflowers |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Late) Fall |
Height | 6' – 10' (180cm – 3m) |
Spread | 3' – 5' (90cm – 150cm) |
Spacing | 36" – 60" (90cm – 150cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |