Worth the wait

For those of us who live in climates where cardoon (Cynara cardunculus, one of the most fun botanical names ever) is not reliably cold-hardy, it can be a long wait to see the huge, thistle-like blooms.

About 16 months from seed sowing time to be exact. That's only if the plant makes it through the winter though. If not, it's start some more seeds and reset that clock.

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I had four cardoon plants last year. Interestingly, two died during our mild winter, probably from staying too wet and then rotting. One came back but appears to be a juvenile still and gives no indication that it's ready to bloom. The final one though is blooming, even after the aphid attack earlier in the spring.

I really love these blooms.

Even when I needed to get onto a stepladder in order to take these photos of the flowers on top of the 7' (2m) stalks. Did I ever mention that there are only two flat spots in my entire yard, both made by me, and both inappropriate for cardoon (one is a patio, and one is a pond).

Stepladder on uneven ground makes photography extra exciting.

Bees make photo taking exciting too, as they love cardoon flowers but apparently can't tell the difference between them and a human ear. At least the one bee couldn't.

But I love taking photos of the bees loving these blooms.

Did I mention I really love these flowers?

Even when they're starting to fade.

Definitely worth the wait!

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