I planted a long row of these on the edge of our veg garden between us and the field behind so they could act as a wind break (yes, I know, double entendre). They did well for two years but then disappeared so we must have been too good at digging up the tubers.
Since then we have a hawthorn hedge along one part and we've erected a wire mesh fence along the rest and I have a row of black and red currants along that bed with windbreak fabric for extra protection in winter. Now I just buy a few fartichokes when I find organic ones at the local shop.