Crosne / Chinese Artichoke

Chinese Artichoke (Stachys Affinis) are a very easy to grow hardy edible perennial that produces a prolific amount of delicious crunchy tubers which can be harvested over the winter months. The tubers are ideal in winter salads, can be used for pickling and are delicious in stir fries as they absorb flavours. They have a nutty flavour and a pleasing water chestnut-like texture. They have a top growth that reaches 50-60 cm tall similar in looks to its relatives in the mint family having the same hardy characteristics. A pack of 10 tubers will give you an excellent crop in a sunny spot with moist, rich soil not too shallow

– plant tubers horizontally, 8 cm deep, 30cm or so from each other in winter or potted up and transplanted out between October-April. Mulch and water through dry periods. Harvest from late October, leaving some tubers to grow the following year. Tubers can be left in the ground all winter and harvested when needed.