Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus 'Early Dwarf Sunray')

Sunflower relative indigenous to North America that produces beautiful yellow flowers and an edible, potato-like tuber highly prized by chefs worldwide. French painter Claude Monet was captivated by the gorgeous blooms - memorializing them in a (now famous) 1880 oil painting. They are fantastic pollinator plants, blooming late in the season when other flowers have faded and other forage is hard to find.

This mid-height, heavily branching, yet airy variety is by far the earliest to bloom on our mid-Michigan farm. It blankets field edges with a profusion of yellow flowers and is adored by pollinators and neighbors alike. 2-3 times taller than "Dwarf" or "Manitoba" but 1/2 to 1/3 the height of many other varieties we share.

You may also like: "Dwarf" and "Manitoba"