Harvest your own tender artichokes! Big flower buds that form at the tops of stalks may be cut for eating. If not cut, buds open to spectacular purple, thistle-like flowers, great for arrangements. Unique, highly textured grey-green foliage adds season-long interest to the landscape. Works well in containers. An herbaceous perennial. Culture: Artichoke needs well-drained, light, nutrient-rich soil. Drainage is vital in zones where winters are severe. Harvest: Harvest buds while they’re still tightly closed. In warmer zones, this will be early to midsummer; in colder regions, harvest starts in late summer to early fall. Buds on a stem ripen from the top down. Cut the topmost buds first; remaining buds won’t grow as large as the top one. Use a sharp knife to cut stems. Harvest a short piece of stem with each bud for easier handling.