Common Name: Cardoon Genus: Cynara Species: cardunculus Exposure: Full sun Hardiness: Hardy Soil type: Well-drained/light, Moist Height: 240cm Spread: 90cm Time to plant seeds: March to May Time to divide plants: March to May Flowering period: June to September An old Victorian favourite, once grown as a vegetable and blanched for use rather like celery, the cardoon is now valued for its striking silvery, thistle-like foliage which adds a theatrical touch to the border. In summer, tall flower stems are topped by fat thistle buds which resemble small globe artichokes - the plants are close cousins. The buds finally open into large purple thistles which attract lots of bees; the dead flower-heads can be left on the plants and will provide an attractive feature over the winter months.