#cardoon

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Thursday 25 December 2025

The seed. heads of Cynara cardunculus 'Porto Spineless' (cardoon) are a spectacular addition to the garden in winter. This moderately-sized variety of ornamental cardoon was specially bred for cut flower use. In summer it produces medium-sized, blue, thistle-like flowers.

Jill Raggett

[catherine-white]

Cardoons in small woodfired forms.

[flowerishness]

Cynara cardunculus (cardoon) and Apis mellifera (European honey bee)

Taking pictures of honey bees is a lot easier than taking pictures of birds. Birds seem to fly off as soon as I raise my camera but when the honey bees get busy, nothing can distract them.

The cardoon is basically a giant thistle (6ft/2m). The immature buds of this Mediterranean plant are the source of artichokes but when cardoons flower, the artichokes become tough and inedible. Of course as they bloom, the honey bees take over. Honey bees absolutely love cardoons.

[segmentedleg]

File:Costa Vicentina 4.jpg

[cirrusgazer]

Bleak Midwinter

[doingitfortheexposure]

Artichokes.

Photo by Xer S. Rowan, Creative Commons Attribution license

I'm a disabled hobby photographer, taking and sharing photos for the love of photography. These photos may be freely used, for personal and commercial purposes, as long as the license terms are followed. For more information about me, my free photo project, and the licensing I use, visit linktr.ee/DoingItForTheExposure.

[wiley-treehouse-gardens]

Cardoon, aka artichoke thistle, from the top down.

Exhibited at the Clark County fair by Andrea Sayler

[mothmiso]

(1) (2) (3) (4) by Christian Mayrhofer