It’s just about time to harvest the Jerusalem Artichokes. They’re reputed to be at their best after the tall stems have been killed back by a heavy frost or two. Jerusalem Artichokes, as is often noted, are neither from Jerusalem nor artichokes. They’re actually a sunflower variety, helianthus tuberosus. There are 82 species of sunflowers (genus Helianthus), all native to North America. Of these, 38 are perennials (Wikipedia). Jerusalem Artichokes are one of four types of sunflowers growing in my garden.
Probably the best known sunflower is the annual variety. Most years, I plant a few sunflower seeds. There are plenty to choose from, tall sunflowers, dwarf sunflowers, plants with rusty-red flowers, pollenless flowers for cutting. This year, the birds did the planting and an eye-catching array of tall, sunny plants grew up around the bird feeder.
After the annuals, the most showy of the sunflowers is Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen’. This hybrid perennial is a fabulous addition to the border. It reaches about six feet tall and forms a clump about 4 feet wide. The stems are surprisingly strong, and this year they stood tall for most of the summer before gently arching over to display a dense array of attractive, yellow flowers. The flowers were much beloved by pollinators.
I first saw Willow-leaf sunflowers at Lost Horizons nursery and had to have this plant in my garden. It is most notable, not for its flowers, but for its long, long stems which are lined with very unsunflower-like narrow leaves. In fact, it looks rather like a giant lily stem, quite fascinating.
Those stems just keep going and going. Here’s Ponygirl beside the Willow-leaf Sunflower (Helianthus salicifolius). It does get a display of attractive flowers at the top of that long stem late in the summer. Where stems had bowed over, flowers also sprouted along the stem.
And finally, there are the Jerusalem Artichokes, sometimes called, more appropriately, sunchokes. It’s said that once you introduce these tubers to your garden, the only way to free yourself of them is to move. I have mine contained in a raised bed. These are also remarkably tall plants. Here’s Ponygirl again, to illustrate that point. They are the last of my sunflowers to bloom.
Yesterday, I dug up a few of the tubers to use in soup. They’re very knobby, gnarled roots, somewhat like ginger roots. They have a very mild, slightly nutty taste and are reputed to be rich in inulin, and thus recommended as a potato substitute for diabetics. I don’t know how factual that, or the other claims made for the benefits of Jerusalem Artichokes might be. They are reported to be high in potassium and iron and linked with good intestinal health due to prebiotic (bacteria promoting) properties. I added them to squash to make sunchoke-squash soup.
Postscript:
Here’s the sunchoke-squash soup, topped with sautéd mushrooms, shredded cheese and sunflower seeds. It was quite tasty, a little bit different than squash soup.
I love that willow-leaved sunflower! Many many years ago I brought some Jerusalem artichokes home from NJ and stuck them in my parents’ veg garden. Mom was none too pleased when these plants started to take over (and the mugwort). But, their garden is living proof that both CAN be eradicated. I’m not too sure how they did it, but I suspect repeated years of digging and pulling the plants finally did the trick. I’m happy to say that there are many sunflowers native to this part of Michigan, so I am looking forward to having some of these perennials around my property. In the meantime, I enjoy my mammoth grey-striped sunflowers, and so do the birds, who have already stripped them of every seed they had!
I have the Jerusalem artichokes growing in my garden and have never harvested them. I really should. I’m very often disappointed in the flower as the plant grows so tall and the bloom is so small.
Very interesting read. Thanks for sharing. We plant about 25 lb. of black oil sunflowers to feed the goldfinches in the summer. I new nothing of the Jerusalem artichoke, now I do. Getting pony girl to show the height of the plants so smart. Thanks again.
I didn’t know you could eat the tubers of Jerusalem artichokes. I don’t have any planted here, and after your description of how hard they are to eradicate, I don’t think I will plant any. Let us know how the soup was.
Such beautiful photos! I had never heard of the willow-leaf sunflower but now I want some. The butterfly is gorgeous (as is your model!)
Ellen, thanks for your story of JAs run awry! I only know of their reputation and haven’t had any problem with them myself. It is nice that sunflowers are native and you can enjoy many varieties guilt free of invasion worries.
Crafty, I have to admit, JAs aren’t the most interesting root, rather bland, but fun to try for a change.
Grampy, thanks for your comment. Sounds like you do a good job of looking after the birds. It’s practical to grow your own supply, seed can get pretty expensive over a winter.
Louise, I added the soup for you. It was pleasant, a bit of a change.
Natalie, Thank you. I’m sure you’d enjoy the willow-leaf sunflower.