View Larger Jerusalem Artichoke

Planted at Mount Vernon

Planted at Mount Vernon Pioneer Farm

  • Pioneer Farm

  • Hardiness Zones

    3 3 4 4b 5 5b 6 6b 7 7b 8 8b 9 9b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 3 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

    Jerusalem artichoke is a perennial sunflower relative that produces a profusion of bright yellow flowers atop ten foot stalks. It is valued for its edible tubers, which resemble the flavor of water chestnuts.

    Latin Name

    Helianthus tuberosus


    Family

    Asteraceae


    Also Known As

    Sunroot , Sunchoke


    Type of Plant

    Perennials Perennials
    Vegetables Vegetables

    Bloom Season

    August - September


    Seasons

    Fall Fall
    Summer Summer

    Specifications

    Max height Max Height: 10'
    Max spread Max Spread: 5'

    Uses

  • Edible
  • Naturalize

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun
    Part Shade Part Shade

    Tolerances

  • Deer
  • Drought
  • Dry Soil
  • Shallow-Rocky Soil

  • Attracted Wildlife

    Birds Birds
    Butterflies Butterflies

    Colors


    Native Range

    Eastern North America


    History

    George Washington was growing Jerusalem artichokes at his Muddy Hole farm.


    Other Details

    Pollinator Pollinator
    Grown by Washington Grown by Washington

    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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