I discovered Flower Friday while visiting Lorilin@Bugbugbooks. I decided to start sharing some flower pictures from our gardens along with some information about them. Please check out Lorilin’s blog if you haven’t already for book reviews and more!
Today’s flower is the Jerusalem artichoke, also known as sunchoke, sunroot, and earth apple.
I started growing these about 4 years ago for the tubers mainly, but the flowers are really beautiful too. These belong to the sunflower family. Notice the resemblance?
Jerusalem artichoke can get over 9 feet tall and sometimes need to be staked. Luckily, most of ours haven’t broken or blown over. They have fairly strong stems. These have multiple blooms and branch out. They bloom late summer to fall.
The tubers are edible and they’re similar to potatoes in texture, but they have a somewhat nutty taste. They’re super healthy–high in potassium and iron. You can boil them like potatoes or even roast them in the oven, but I’ve only had them raw in salad. They’re surprisingly sweet.
Be sure to leave some tubers in the ground for next year though! These will spread quite easily and continuously produce food in your garden.
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Family: Asteraceae
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Species: H. tuberosus
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Genus: Helianthus
- Native to North America and Canada
- Zones: Perennial in all zones
Thanks for checking out Flower Friday! Are you already growing these or others in the sunflower family? Please share your thoughts below in the comment section. Have a wonderful weekend!
♥️ Mischenko
Amazing! Don’t think I’ve actually noticed this flower before your post. I think it’s very interesting that they can be boiled and eaten like potatoes. Thx for sharing! 🙂
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Yes! They’re growing out in the side pasture, which is why you probably haven’t noticed them. I’ll have to point them out in the future. Thanks! 😁♥️
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My grandparents used to grow these. I haven’t thought about them in years!! I love the thought of Friday Flowers!!! I look forward to this!
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That’s so cool! It’s amazing how easy they are to grow and they don’t take much care really. Thanks for your positive comments! That means a lot, Mackie! Thank you for checking it out. ♥️
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They are pretty!🌼 and I love that they have two “uses”!
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Me too! 😉🌻 Thanks, Abbey!
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Of course I love this smart post. I showed it to my mom and she remembers growing them but she doesn’t remember the pretty flowers. I love that you can eat them raw and that they are good in salads. The flowers are so pretty, and your pictures are lovely. Well-done, favorite M! ♥️ Happy weekend! Xoxo
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Thanks, Jen! I’ve never cooked them, but I know they’re delicious either way. They store well in winter too. How excited that your mom grew them! Have a wonderful weekend! ❤😘 xoxo
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I started reading this post and thought these are pretty flowers and I had never heard of them before, then I got to the end and thought Wow. I love that they have a sweet, nutty flavour. I wonder if they would make a different tasting potato salad? Great share Jen.
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That’s a good question, Carla! I’m not sure, but I do think it would work. I’ll have to Google it and see if anyone’s tried. These are super easy to grow though and I’m pretty sure you can grown them where you are too! ❤ Thanks!
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I will have to see if I can find the tubers to give it a try.
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You can get some on eBay. I think that’s where I started. 😁
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Good to know, thanks. I used to use ebay all the time, nothing recently though.
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It’s worth a try. I’ve purchased seeds there too with only a few mess ups–meaning they send me some other seed lol. 🤣
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I bought some squash that had been started at a local nursery a few years ago. It was supposed to be butternut. I got the strangest looking fruit. It looked more like a gourd and was really hard. Even buying locally, you can get messed up.
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That’s so funny! 😂 It must have been cross pollinated. That’s what I love about growing different pumpkins and then saving seeds. You never know what you’re going to get! It’s like an early Christmas.
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They do resemble sunflowers!! 😃 They’re lovely!! Wow…9’ tall?! I love them. Thanks for sharing, Mischenko. 💕
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Thanks, Laurie! Yes, they can get super tall. So fun! ❤ xoxo Hope all is well with you!
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I love your flower posts!! ☺️
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I never knew the name of these beauties, now I know. 🙂
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😉💜
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These are gorgeous!
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😉💜
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What lovely pictures!! Great post ❤
Have a great weekend! ❤
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Thanks, Dee! ♥️ You too!
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That’s sooooo beautiful 🌸
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Thanks, Priyasha! ♥️
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Wow, great pictures and I have never heard of this kind of flower and that its similar to a potato. Look forward to seeing more beautiful flowers.
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Thanks! You might be able to find some neat recipes too. I’ve only had them raw, but I’m sure they’re great any way. 😁
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SO BEAUTIFUL!!! I love this flower!
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Thanks, Didi! ♥️😘
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You’re welcome! 😊🤗
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That third pic down with the sun behind is beautiful! Nice to think of sunnier times when it’s so cold outside. 🙂
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I agree! Looking forward to the upcoming growing season. Thanks, Lorilin. ❤
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Oh my goodness, I love this meme! A couple years ago, I started up my first vegetable garden, and I’m mentally preparing for the upcoming season (our season is short, so I’ll start several things from seed inside). I haven’t delved much into unconventional edibles (i.e. can’t find it at the grocery store, most people in the U.S. wouldn’t realize you could eat it), but I love learning tidbits like this. Lovely pictures and wonderful information!
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Awesome! We start from seed as well! You’ll have to let me know what you end up growing this year. Glad you liked the post and thanks! ♥️
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Flower Friday is back! Lol
Another gorgeous happy flower. Anything resembling a sunflower works for me! 😀
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😁 I’m glad you enjoy these! Thanks so much. ♥️♥️♥️
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Just gorgeous!
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Thanks!
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