A.k.a. Jerusalem Artichoke. An easily grown native food crop with excellent wildlife support, sunchokes are generally adaptable as long as they have soils that are part loam and decent drainage. Mature plants can be 10’+ feet tall, so can benefit from a location sheltered from wind. Can form dense colonies and spread rapidly from seed and rhizome in ideal conditions. Plants frequently show browning lower leaved in hot, dry weather. Commonly sought after by mammalian herbivores, including livestock, and deer have been known to dig up and eat tubers- so plants should be protected at least until established.

Tubers are edible when prepared correctly, but don’t agree with everyone (hence their tongue-in-cheek common name, “fartichoke”). As always, research thoroughly before consuming any “wild” foods! Some Krogers carry sunchoke tubers (seasonally?) if you want to try them before planting!

Light: Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade

Soil Moisture: Wet Mesic, Mesic

Soil Type: Loam, Part Loam

Height: 6’-10’

Bloom Color: Yellow

Bloom Time: Aug-Sep

Root Type: Rhizome

Notable Wildlife Interactions: Flowers mainly attract a variety of bees, but occasionally flies, beetles, and small butterflies. Hosts a variety of insects including 30+ moths and small butterflies, leafhoppers, grasshoppers, treehoppers, beetles, weevils, and smaller insects. Seeds are eaten by many birds including nuthatches, chickadees, mourning doves, and a variety of sparrows. Commonly browsed by mammalian herbivores. Large colonies provide cover for wildlife.