Cardoon (Cynara Cardunculus)

That certainly looks healthy. Yes, the plants appear to have enjoyed the rain, unlike ourselves.

We have this Scottish - it is gorgeous!!!!!!!!

2nd year Paul - I remember you saying you only had 1 flower last year - I was a tad more successful with around 12 on this one except it wasn't getting enough sun to bring it on - hence the move!

What a lovely leaf it has...and the colour too.

we had 2 leaves on too - this year many more :))))))

That is my avatar Scottish. I cut a big bunch from my daughters plant and hung them upside down in a paper bag to dry them off. They were at the artichoke stage when I did it and I got a lovely surprise to find the lovely blue heads had opened as they dried.

beauty :)

Leaf is lovely Karen - so looks good for most of the year!
I had noticed your avatar before S...I do love the flowers on this - there is a very large gorgeous one at Suntrap - if my memory serves me right - I remember looking at it last year (foliage only) and thinking my is tiny compared to that one!
Cheers Pixi :)

I can't think of one at Suntrap but there is a wonderful clump in the botanic garden in the area near the Queen Mothers little house. They are truly majestic once they get going.

Ive bought one for this year but my leaves must be 2ft long. ;)

They do get very long Windy - mine's were new last year. I found that as the plant grows I had to remove the lower leaves - they were too heavy and were trailing on the ground - slugs were having a field day. I had to stake the flowers too - they were over 6ft high!

This is very easy to grow from seed.