Confused by cardoons? Alarmed by artichokes? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. The RHS has awarded the statuesque cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) its Award of Garden Merit (AGM) as an ornamental plant, but ...

For years we have leant heavily on cardoons in this garden to provide structure, colour and texture. They start to sprout extravagantly scalloped and cut grey leaves from February that steadily go ...