Artichoke ‘Herrgård’ Cynara scolymus
Artichoke is not reliable to overwinter in Denmark. Different varieties are clearly more or less hardy. One of the most hardy is ‘Herrgård’, an old heirloom from Scania (southern Sweden). It is said to have been in culture for centuries in gardens of the aristocracy in Scania and Denmark. ‘Herrgård’ is probably identical to the danish ‘Serridslevgaard’, but I can’t tell for sure, as I havn’t got hold on the latter. Do you grow it dear reader, please let me have a cutting 
Many things have been written about the art of overwintering artichokes. Often by experts who never grew artichokes themselfes. Since I’ve overwintered my artichoke the last five years, I’m thus not an expert. I do it from a very simple theory. I believe moisture in the heart of the artichoke kills it at lower temperatures, and only at much lower temperatures will the temperature itselv kill the artichoke. Therefore I cover my artichokes with glass, with an inclination and earth touch towards west, as most wind and rain comes from that direction. The cracked pot is to keep down the glass in stormy weather. In case of severe frost I cover the glass and surroundings in snow, making an insulated hive for the artichoke. When snow melts, the glass leads water away from the heart.
In autumn i pot cuttings and store in the greenhouse as a sofecopy. I still didn’t have a truely cold winter on top of my artichokes. When that comes, with daytemperatures of -20 Celcius, I must be very carefull to add suficient insulation.
October 24, 2009 at 00:32
From Haines, Alaska: My father and mother homesteaded here in the early 1970s and had a prolific organic garden that I have continued with several young friends. We are experimenting to see what can be grown in our climate. This past spring I planted a winter hardy artichoke recommended by Pinetree seed company and amazingly every seedling grew to almost a meter high and nearly the same bredth. Three plants have produced artichokes that the seed source said should not be harvested. I am going to try to winter them over using the technique you recommend and surrounding the plants with straw under the glass. The questions I have are 1. Can I wait until spring to transplant some of the plants as I seem to have placed them too close together? 2. Do I cut the plants back or should I leave them whole? 3. If whole, is it okay to push them down so the glass doesn’t have to be too high off the ground? We get very strong southerly and northerly winds all winter. I like your pictures and descriptions. We are collecting seeds from the heirloom plants in our garden. We’re growing sufficient food to provide most of our vegetables over the summer and have a goal of growing all of our produce and enough to help provide local produce to others in our small community. Kind regards,
October 24, 2009 at 23:19
I shall try to answer your questions:
1. You can definitely wait until spring to transplant your plants. Spring is also a good time to divide older artichoke plants
2. Cut the plant down to fit under the glass
3. In my garden, leaves start growing, pressing on to the glass, before I feel safe removing the glass. I let the do it.
You better secure the glass from those strong winds. If it freeze strong, you might need to insulate with more straw.
Have fun with your artichokes!