Artichokes on Gabriola Island

Today, the artichokes that were growing in the Co-op parking lot caught my eye.  Native to the Mediterranean,  artichokes are a relative of the thistle, also having prickly leaves and a purple thistle-like flower.  Artichokes are grown for their large edible flower buds and are ornamental enough be mixed in with your flower garden.  They can be grown from seed or young starter plants.  Artichokes are considered a gourmet vegetable due to the delicate flavour of the ball-like flower heads,  which are picked and eaten before they have a chance to bloom.  The plants can grow 5 to 6 feet tall and each plant can produce up to 12 edible heads.