Artichoke blooms

were the stars of the garden party. 

Not hard to see why... 

The green globes, if left unharvested,

put on quite a phenomenal floral display.

(if you aren't interested in the "show," harvest when the leaves are still tightly clasped.) 

When they begin to open & look like this:

it's a bit too late ~ they're almost ready to bloom! 

As seen in the photo below ~ taken a day or so later:

Showy even at this early stage. 

But it only gets better...

I love the way the petals unfurl from the outside in....  until finally, you're left with this ~ a "furry" center surrounded by blueish/purple (almost iridescent) spikes:

The bees go crazy ~ their whole bodies covered in pollen before they move on.

It's been such a positive experience, I can't recommend growing them enough.

Even if they aren't high on your food pyramid ~ you'll be blown away by the spectacular blooms and equally impressive foliage.  An all-around fabulous architectural plant for the garden. 

Not to mention the excitement they create for garden guests!

Convinced yet???!!! 

I know I am fully converted ~ they'll be "staples" in all my future gardens for years to come!

p.s.  My niece ate three & the aroma they created while steaming was almost as delicious as the meat.  Sort of "nutty."  Totally different than the store bought artichokes we've steamed before....

 

Comments

[Janet, The Queen of Seaford]

I have only eaten artichoke hearts (marinated) and haven't tried steaming them on my own. Love the bloom, what a stunner. Your bee is rolling in the pollen. :-)

[Curbstone Valley Farm]

Artichokes make lovely photographic subjects. We planted artichokes on the farm for the first time this year. I picked a few chokes that were a little far gone, and set them aside, and even cut they proceeded to flower! They really were gorgeous, until the goats nibbled them ;)

[Dana]

So amazing - I had no idea they bloomed. You have to remind me of this next year so I can give it a try. Your gardens continue to amaze me!

[RobinL]

Ooh, what fun! I've admired artichokes in bloom on many garden blogs, guess I have to grow them myself. I didn't know we could grow them in our colder zones! Where did you get them? I keep my black and blue salvia in a pot, and simply bring it into the basement. It usually dies back, but always returns.

[sweetbay]

Love the color of those artichoke flowers! Unfortunately they tend to melt down here but they sound wonderful.

[PlantPostings]

Ah, gorgeous! I shivered watching the transformation. I might have to plant them--never thought of them as ornamentals before.

[Val]

I just stumbled upon your blog while googling around for my amaryllis obsession. I just wanted to say that your photos are absolutely a wonder to behold! I will have to spend alot of time admiring all the photos, who knew artichokes were such an incredible shade of blue? Wow!McClure and Zimmerman are selling sweet nymph amaryllis this year, a beauty that I could only find last year from Royal Colors, that and double dream from there were gorgeous!!

[Kathleen]

Thank you Val!! Your comment made my day. :-)
So funny about the two Amaryllis you mentioned ~ they are on my list!!! I'm going to follow thru with ordering them now ~ thanks!