Cynara cardunculus is a robust herbaceous perennial with a wonderfully majestic architectural appearance. Its huge spiny pale silvery-grey thistle-like, leaves grow up to 1m in length. In late summer and autumn huge artichoke-like buds open into large purple thistle-like flowers which are honey-scented and very attractive to Bees, Butterflies and other pollinators. They are valued by flower-arrangers, and the seedheads provide winter interest. A gorgeous structural plant for a sunny position.
