Helianthus tuberosus aka Jerusalem Artichoke

Helianthus tuberosus is a perennial sunflower grown for food and flowers. Gardeners know it as Jerusalem artichoke or sunchoke. It belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae. Its native range spans central and eastern Canada and the United States. Native Americans first grew it as a food crop. Growers brought its tubers to Europe in the 1600s. Despite its name, it is not a true artichoke.

Plants form tall, bushy clumps with an upright shape. Garden heights range from about 5–8 feet [1.5–2.5 metres]. Some plants reach 10 feet [3 metres]. Spread ranges from 1.6–5 feet [0.5–1.5 metres], depending on the source. Rough hairs cover the green stems, which branch near their tops. The green, egg-shaped leaves have toothed edges and a coarse feel. Lower leaves grow in pairs; upper leaves alternate along stems. Leaves grow smaller toward the top. The foliage dies back for winter.

Yellow flower heads appear in late summer and autumn. August to September is the main flowering period in several sources. Each head has yellow rays around a darker yellow centre. The flowers draw butterflies and other pollinators. Silvery checkerspot caterpillars also use this plant as a host. Seeds ripen in November, and songbirds feed on the heads. The flowers suit cutting. Plants fit wildlife gardens, meadows, vegetable plots, and informal borders. Their height also makes a short-lived summer screen.

Give plants full sun and soil that drains well. They tolerate part shade and many soil types. They also tolerate acid, neutral, and alkaline soils. Steady moisture supports growth, though plants withstand dry soil and drought. Sources list USDA zones 3–9 and UK hardiness H5. Plant tubers in spring, and support stems in windy sites. Growth is fast, and rhizomes and seeds can form colonies. Small pieces left underground can regrow, making removal hard. This makes the plant a poor choice for neat, formal borders.

Harvest the knobbly tubers in autumn for raw or cooked dishes. They contain inulin, which can cause gas in some people. PFAF lists no known hazards. Slugs and snails can harm young plants. Slugs and swift moths may also damage tubers. Rust, fungal leaf spots, powdery mildew, and sclerotinia can occur. Beetles and caterpillars may chew the leaves. Cut back old stems as they die down after flowering.