This month, we are reprinting a garden article that Nell wrote two years ago. A recent visit to Nell’s garden jogged the memory, with a giant Cardoon in full flower once again.

The weather might not be the same, so the original text has been modified slightly to avoid confusion.

TEMPERATURES FOR the first weeks of 2019 could well compare with those of the mainland states. Rainfall was negligible and many drought tender perennials were wilting in the heat.

Two ornamentals which survived are the Agapanthus and the spectacular two metre high Cardoon, Cynara cardunculus, or the very ornamental Globe Artichoke (pictured).

Both can be invasive and so flowering heads should be removed as soon as they begin to fade.

In fact, it would not be too much of a loss if the flowers of the Cardoon were removed quite early, as its principle attractiveness lies in its huge silver grey deeply cut leaves.

If left to seed, the thistledown from this plant will invade neighbouring gardens.