GLOBE ARTICHOKE

Cynara scolymus IN THE GARDEN Artichoke label Common name: Globe artichoke Botanical name:Cynara scolymus Family: Asteraceae (daisy family) Requires: Sun to part shade; welldrained soil; shelter from wind Dislikes: Poor drainage Suitable for: Vegetable garden, ornamental garden Habit: Perennial Needs: Deep watering at planting and when dry Propagation: Crowns, off shoots, seed Difficulty: Easy There are artichokes that flower in my garden each spring and I find myself unable to decide whether to eat them or leave them. I enjoy them on the plate but, as they open their blooms in the garden, especially now I have located a beehive nearby, they look so striking and are buzzing with bees. Artichokes might be a fancy dish on a restaurant menu but they are really just giant thistles. The part that’s eaten is the large, unopened flower bud. The bud is formed of thick, scale-like…