Learn / Ask The Landscape Professional
I was visiting the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme last weekend and in one of their gardens they had this beautiful flowering plant. What in the world is it? Thanks! Claire
Answer
Hi Claire, that is a great question. What you took a picture of
is a plant that has been around since Greek and Roman times.
It is a Globe Artichoke, Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus,
which is an edible species of thistle. Artichokes were originally
native to the Mediterranean region where they continue to be
grown commercially today. Thomas Jefferson was one of the
first to grow artichokes in this country back in the late 1700s.
Today, in this country they are grown commercially in coastal
California but that only represents about 2% of worldwide
production; most artichokes are produced in regions around the
Mediterranean. Artichoke plants are perennials that do best in
regions with mild winters and cool summers. While it is possible
to over-winter artichokes in New England, it is difficult because of the effort
required and protection from the elements they need. Many people that
grow them in this area treat them as annuals and start them from seeds
inside every year in the winter. You can purchase the seeds through seed
catalogues.
Artichokes grow on a plant that can get up to 4 feet wide and 4 feet so
leave plenty of space in your garden. The edible part of the artichoke is
actually the flower bud which is harvested early when the bud is tight. If the
bud begins to open it becomes inedible, but turns into the gorgeous lavender flower that you show
in your picture. Not only is it striking, it is an attractive structural element in your garden which lasts
for months.
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About Linda Lillie
Linda K. Lillie is the President of Sprigs & Twigs, Inc, the premier
landscape design and maintenance, tree care, lawn care, stonework, and carpentry
service provider in southeastern Connecticut since 1997. She is a graduate of
Connecticut College in Botany, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national
award winning landscape designer for her landscape design and landscape installation work.
