Cardoon planting should occur via seed indoors in late winter or early spring and seedlings may be transplanted outside after the danger of frost has passed. Mature cardoon plants should be divided and cardoon planting of the offsets accomplished in early spring, leaving plenty of space between for growth.

Do cardoons come back every year?

A Eucalyptus can make large trees when mature, so it may grow even bigger. However, it can be coppiced regularly to make a shrub. Cut it back to the ground in early spring, leaving just a stump, and it will sprout new growth that can be cut to the ground again every few years.

How do you split cardoon?

Identify the large dome-like buds and (using a spade) split into chunks containing four to five buds. Replant in enriched soil containing garden compost, making sure that the top of the clump is just above the ground. Do not pick any stems in the first year or two and always remove any flowering spikes.