CARDOON ..... Cynara cardunculus

Cardoon, Cynara cardunculus, has culinary and ornamental uses. Purple flowers in late summer. Grows 3’. Zone 7-9. Striking architecture year-round. Silvery gray leaves bear immense, purple thistle-heads. Unopened flowers are boiled and used externally for liver, gall bladder and diabetes. Needs rich, well-drained soil in the sun. Mulch well in winter.