About Jerusalem artichokes

Helianthus strumosus & tuberosus cvs.
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Jerusalem artichokes are classified as being in the sunflower genus, Helianthus, and the aster family, Asteraceae. They are herbaceous perennials which means the above ground growth dies back each autumn as the frosts start and and daylight significantly decreases. Below ground tubers, modified stems, develop in late summer and autumn and these, being hardy, survive the winter underground, ready to produce new frost-tender shoots as the weather warms up again the following spring.

This relative of the well-known annual large-flowered sunflower produces yellow daisy-like flowers in autumn if the season has been favourable. In the UK you may never get any flowers on some cultivars, it all depends on where you are and how much rains and sun you have. Even if it does flower and you have more than one cultivar or species, it is not likely you will get seed setting.

The genus name Helianthus is derived from Greek hēlios "sun" and ánthos "flower", because its round flowerheads in combination with the ligules look like the Sun. The specific epithet tuberosus refers to stem tubers produced by this species, but also by some other species within this genus.

Ultimate height varies with cultivar, but as a general rule a happy plant will grow over head height, less when grown in containers. The cultivar 'Dwarf Sunray' is said to be smaller, but is only slightly lower than others. The cultivar 'Dwarf' is much smaller growing to approximately 1 metre, instead of 2 metres, but it looks very different as well, as if the taller plant has been squashed into a much denser plant. It was especially bred in the Netherlands, so perhaps there is some contribution from another Helianthus species. Another plant has been sold as "Pampas Patio", we will see what this does. But the less the green top growth the less there us to produce larger tubers.

It is the edible tubers that are the focus of most growers of this species, as other Helianthus species gown in gardens are know for their more floriferous habit. The crop of tubers you get will depend on many factors as well as that the named cultivar; see the cultivation page.