Cardoon, Cynara cardunculus

Cardoons are stunning, enormous plant, growing up to 2 m tall, with spiny leaves that push their way through the ground very early in the season. You may recognize them as Artichokes, you may also be forgiven for doubting they are daisies, but indeed, they too are in the Asteraceae family. One plant carries many flower heads. It is an architectural perennial plant giving height to the back of a border. The flowers are adored by bees, making it an important garden plant. Once the purple flowers have faded, they display their glorious seed heads, that can be dried for flower arrangements. A wonderful conversation piece of a plant. The cardoon, Cynara cardunculus, also called the artichoke thistle, is a thistle in the sunflower family. It is a naturally occurring species that also has many cultivated forms, including the globe artichoke