Blooming Artichoke

We grew an artichoke! A feat of patience, taking three years for the plant to establish itself in our chilly climate. Its companion plants, all but one, failed to last the first year.

The other survivor is still a scrawny thing, but at least its still alive. Perhaps next year we'll have enough for a romantic interlude with melted butter.

For now, we do as we're told, and let this one live out its natural life without harvesting. To help the plant grow stronger, you see.
I have no regrets about letting it put up its purple spikey crown, and neither does that honey bee feasting on its nectar. My only regret is not being able to follow that bee back to his honey comb!