Imperial Star

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Unfurling in late season, Imperial Star artichokes bring a regal, velvety spectacle—tightly packed bracts with a rich, nutty fragrance that feels almost floral in the garden air.

The heads mature to a handsome, globe form with meaty, tender texture prized for centerpiece-style roasting, steaming, and bold dips, as well as for preserving in briny pickles. Grow Imperial Star for a long, satisfying harvest window and a show-stopping silhouette that turns every bed into a living bouquet.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 120 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Aug 23rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	120
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Imperial Star’s tightly packed, meaty bracts are built for heat—steam or roast them hard enough to sweeten the heart while the leaf brings controlled, nutty bitterness. Serve with lemony, salty dips so every bract offers a different chew: velvety tenderness at the tip, then that firm, savory bite toward the base.

Best Uses

steam until the bracts pull clean for hot dipping
roast whole until the leaves char and the heart turns caramel-sweet
thin-brine pickle for snappy, saline bites
make a briny artichoke dip with lemon and mayo for maximum stick-to-the-fork payoff

Flavor Profile

nutty, slightly sweet heart earthy bitterness in the bracts tender, meaty center with a velvety chew

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil parmesan butter chickpeas

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Cynara scolymus (artichokes), and how can I control it at home?

Artichokes commonly suffer from aphids and sometimes artichoke downy mildew. Rinse aphids off with a strong water spray and then spray insecticidal soap (follow label directions) if they return; for downy mildew, remove and discard heavily infected leaves and improve airflow so foliage dries quickly. Avoid overhead watering to reduce leaf wetness, and keep weeds down to reduce habitat for pests.

How often should I water Cynara scolymus during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level is best?

During active growth, keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for evenly damp soil down several inches. Water about 1–2 times per week depending on heat, increasing to 2–3 times per week in hot, windy weather; the top few inches should not dry out completely. A good check is that the soil holds together slightly when squeezed but doesn’t feel wet or squishy.

How do I tell when “Imperial Star” (Cynara scolymus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the artichoke buds reach full size and the bracts are tight and still feel firm—typically about 120 days from sowing/establishment depending on conditions. Look for the bud to stop elongating; the top bracts should be immature-looking (no “opening” or purple showing). Cut the bud with 1–2 inches of stem, before the center begins to loosen.