Floral Spotlight: Artichokes {Yes, Artichokes!}

source

Not to be mistaken with succulents (to be featured soon!), artichokes are playing a role in more than just your favorite appetizer - via wedding florals {but keep reading, because I'm including a really good recipe at the end of this post}.  These lovely plum/purple colored blooms pair perfectly with the moss green leaves, and they hold a special place in my heart as well, as they were a favorite of my grandmother.

Artichoke production occurs year-round, but nearly one-third the crop is harvested between March and May, making this a very cool, accessible, affordable (and different) floral variety to include in your wedding decor.

Let's take a look at this lovely in action:

source

source

source

source

source

And love how it's incorporated in to the design, of course.

source

source

And how adorable is this artichoke bow tie!!

source

source

Escort card holders

source

Rustic and gorgeous

source

source

LOVE the textures brought in to this cake!

source

And more from this Temecula wedding from Hoffman Photography..

source

source

source

And in decor...

source

Loving all the details from this garden wedding via The Flower Kiosk

source

source

source

source

source

And I would never leave you hanging on an artichoke post without a REALLY good spinach and artichoke dip recipe, of course!!!  This one is one of my favorites, courtesy of my friend Missy :)

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

Ingredients:

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup sour cream

1 cup parmesan cheese

1 box chopped spinach (frozen)

1 small jar artichoke hearts

Dash of red pepper flakes (to taste)

Salt & Pepper (to taste)

4-5 cloves minced garlic

Directions:

Mix all ingredients and put in baking dish, bake for 20 minutes at 350.  Serve with tostitos or sliced baguette.

Enjoy!