I doubt many northern gardeners will recognize this thistle. Can you guess what it is?

A few hints before I spill the beans:

• It can be found in North Africa in it’s wild form.
• It’s a short lived perennial that develops the edible flowers during the second and following years.
• Cultivation is concentrated in the Mediterranean basin with Italy, Spain, and France being the main producers.
• California provides nearly 100% of the U.S. crop.
• A variety, ‘Imperial Star’ was developed for northern climates that will produce a limited harvest the first year.
• An even newer variety, ‘Northern Star’ is said to overwinter in northern areas and able to survive sub-zero temperatures.
• It can be grown from seeds, divisions, root cuttings or micropropagation.
• It’s the primary flavor of Cynar, a Italian liqueur.
• In the Da Lat region of Vietnam it is used to produce a commercial tea.

This should give it away:

Yep, it’s an Artichoke

I have no clue what variety this one is. My wife bought some from a greenhouse last year. They all produced last season and this one survived the extremely mild winter we were fortunate to have. It didn’t grow very well this year but it did produce that great bloom.

The ligularia has started to bloom in my pond garden. That lush ‘ground cover’ started as one or two plants about 5 years ago. To say Ligularia dentata ‘Desdemona’ is a good self-seeder is a misunderestimation.

Ligularia dentata ‘Desdemona’

Emerging leaves are a deep purple/maroon. The up side of mature leaves turn green while the under side remains purple.

As the Ligularia spread, Hostas were transplanted out of the way.

Bees are very attracted to the large Daisy like flowers.

I’ve tried other types of Ligularia but they don’t seem to winter over as well.

My catalog states Golden Groundseed as the common name above all the different species listed. I’ve never heard Ligularia called anything but Ligularia. Do a Google search and I bet you wouldn’t find anyone calling them Golden Groundseed and a Google image search is more likely to bring up a kitchen sink before Ligularia.

Basically this is a post to remind me to buy more of this Phlox. I bought some last year to test and seeing how well they did this year I’m hooked.

Phlox paniculata ‘Peppermint Twist’

‘Peppermint Twist’ was developed from ‘Candy Floss’ which is pink. I’m wondering if that pink set of flowers to the left might be a plant reverting back to it’s original color. Peppermint Twist has sterile flowers and will not set seed, if somehow it does the plants will not come true from seed.

Both the Purple Flame and Peppermint Twist are dwarf garden Phlox supposed to top off at around 18 inches but these are pushing 2 feet in height. I can’t complain about the extra couple of inches and it may just be my fault they grew taller by feeding them the composted horse bedding/manure from ‘Mulch Mountain’ across the road from the stable at St. Lawrence University. (what are you waiting for? It’s free for the taking so go get some you yokels)

Both the Purple Flame and Peppermint Twist have proven to be resistant to Powdery Mildew. I saw no trace of any at in this garden I planted on Judson Street last year.