Cardoon

Cynara cardunculus
A stately, clumping perennial, reaching up to 6 x 4 ( rarely over 5 ) feet, that is native to the southwestern Mediterranean region.
The arching, deeply-lobed and toothed, thisle-like leaves, up to 3 feet in length, are gray-green.
The thistle-like purple flowers, up to 3 inches wide, are borne during mid-summer.
Hardy zones 8 to 9 ( 7 on protected sites and mulched with thick pine boughs during winter ) in full sun on moist, fertile, well drained soil. Propagation is easy from seed. Clumps can also be divided during early spring. The unopened flower heads can be boiled and eaten like artichokes.

* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC

* photo taken by Clarence A. Rechenthin @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

* photo taken @ Smithsonian Inst, Wash., DC on July 11 2014

* photos taken on Oct 21 2014 @ Smithsonian Inst., Washington, DC

* photos taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

* photo taken on Aug 5 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

Cynara scolymus ( Globe Artichoke )
A stately, clumping perennial, reaching up to 6 x 4 ( rarely over 5 ) feet, that is native to southern Europe.
The arching, deeply-lobed and toothed, thisle-like leaves, up to 3 feet long, are gray-green above, woolly white beneath.
The thistle-like purple flowers, up to 3 inches wide, are borne during mid-summer.
Hardy zones 8 to 9 ( 7 on protected sites ) in full sun on moist, fertile, well drained soil. Propagation is easy from seed. Clumps can also be divided during early spring. The unopened flower heads can be boiled and eaten like artichokes.

* photos taken on July 7 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 1 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 13 2016 in Columbia, MD