I had a decision to make. Should I eat the artichokes or should I let them bloom? It has been a couple of years since I let my plant bloom, and while I was tempted to eat these beauties, I decided that this was the year to let them bloom. And, I will have seeds later for increasing the number of plants too. This post took a while to put together as I took photos while letting them change and develop.
Did you know that the artichoke is just a huge thistle plant?
The Artichoke
At the stage they are at in the above photo, is the point where you want to cut these for eating. The artichoke is a perennial plant that produces the flowers in their second and subsequent years. Notice how the leaves change as they start heading towards flowering.
Deciding to let them bloom
As the bloom develops many changes occur.
On its way
Even at this stage the leaves are turning an amazing color! Don’t you agree?
Developing flower
The Artichoke in Bloom
The fireworks of an artichoke
Reaching for the sun
View from above
Life in the Foothills 
Hi
Our daughter recently moved and our job is to look after her beautiful daughter and tidy the rather overgrown garden. Found a lovely large blue thistle and only now realise it is artichoke flower – Thanks
Regards
Dan
Dan – I am glad you were able to identify a flower in your garden from my posts! You can always check the “In the Garden” category for more plant identifications! Thanks for not only signing up to follow my blog, but for your comment too! – b
Wow! Fabulous job! Thanks for sharing this. While I love artichokes and almost hated to see them bloom, I couldn’t take my eyes away! Well worth the effort. They are as beautiful blooming as they are delicious. Are they hard to grow? They’re so expensive at the supermarket. I wouldn’t mind trying it.
Marcella – These are easy plants to care for. Here in the foothills they survive the snow that we have and come back with a vengeance in the spring. Ours is in an area that has really poor soil. This is a thistle plant which the thistle is considered a weed…Good luck and let me know how it goes!
Thank you for the info. Artichokes and figs for next year. I’m going to start researching. : – D
Those colors! O_O That purple! Wauw! I’ve never seen them in bloom. We’ve had many flowers in our yard over the years, but not an Artichoke. Do they need to be planted in open soil to grow? Or can I plant them in a pot too? And how much sun/water do they require?
I have not heard of anyone growing these in pots but I think you could. Maybe try a wine barrel. Watering depends on the heat in your area. In the summertime here in the foothills I have to water this plant daily. Artichokes are grown on the CA coast where they spend quite a bit of time in the fog. Take a look at the Sunset Western Gardening book for more details. Thanks for the comment!
Absolutely beautiful! Love seeing the progression!
After seeing my first blooming artichoke a few weeks ago, I can no longer bring myself to eat it. I vote for letting ’em bloom!
theyre gorgeous! this is my first time seeing artichoke flowers! 😀
Great photos. I think most folks didn’t know that it is a member of the thistle family or how beautiful the flower can be, great colors.
Gorgeous. I didn’t realize they could flower.
I have never seen a ‘blooming artichoke’!!! It’s stunning. reminds me of a prickly bachelor button on steroids! You will surely have birds that rejoice that you’ve given them material for their nests..
Thank you for sacrificing the culinary version so that our eyes may feast on this!
Z
Hugs Z! Love your comment! I am picturing prickly bachelor buttons on steroids and I think that you have something there! Small–large!
You are so great! I hope that our paths cross one day. Your connection with the hummingbirds is amazing! If they have a ‘lonely planet’ guidebook for the best watering holes, yours is surely at the top of their list! Z
Why thanks Z! I hope we have the chance to meet in person too!
That was so cool to see, thanks!