Succeeds in a sunny position in ordinary garden soil. Prefers an alkaline soil. Prefers a poor soil. Plants are hardy to about -15°c. The presence of this species in a meadow usually indicates a poor sandy soil. This species resents root disturbance, it should be planted into its final position as soon as possible.

Flowering head - cooked. Used as a globe artichoke substitute, though they are considerably smaller and even more fiddly.

Seed - surface sow in a cold frame in the spring. The seed usually germinates in 4 - 8 weeks at 15°c. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.

Poor soils on dry banks and pastures, especially on chalk.