Chinese Artichoke (Stachys Affinis) is an easy to grow hardy perennial that produces a prolific amount of delicious crunchy tubers which can be harvested over the winter months. The tubers are ideal in winter salads, can be used for pickling and are fantastic and in stir fries as they absorb flavours. They have a top growth that reaches 50-60 cm tall. They are part of the Lamiaceae family and are in leaf from May to November, in flower from July to August. Tubers are best lifted as and when needed and will store in the ground over winter.