Awesome Artichoke

Terminal Bud with offshoot buds

 Sometimes, I cannot explain the mysteries of the garden.  The amazing purple artichoke bud you are viewing is the progeny of the "perennial" artichoke plant I have in my garden.  This is the third time the artichoke has returned after the plant dies back to the ground.  This is the first time, however, the plant has produced this wonderful purple bud.

Can't explain it, but it is a beautiful color.