Artichoke Senescence and Rebirth

 

So the artichoke flowered gloriously and then the brilliance of the flowers slowly faded into large dry straw colored souvenirs of summer. 

There still were a few seeds clinging to the flower heads.  I teased them out to set them free.

  
Once the new season's growth was convincingly established from the plant's crown, I finally cut down the flower spike. 

 Sorry to see it go, but there's going to be more where that came from.  Next spring I hope to actually harvest some edible 'chokes, but even if I don't the big purple blossoms are welcome.