Cardoon

The clump of silvery-grey, narrow leaves produces the large, thistle-like purple flower of cardoon in late summer and autumn. It is so attractive that it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It is so pretty and yet so simple: a ball from which purple spines protrude. Each spine is not terribly attractive, but placed together, one sees a ball of purple which the hand determines to touch and stroke. The individual Christian is beautiful for Christ’s sake, but more beautiful still when placed among his or her fellows. This is 'church'.