'Pleasant Place' is a growing collection of publications about the art of gardening, offering both practical and in-depth information on everyday garden tasks and garden design. The fourth issue is all about the Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. Scolymus), a monumental perennial thistle that deserves a place in both gardens and kitchens alike.

This issue includes a botanical introduction, an overview of artichokes in art history, six artists interpretation of artichoke finials, a visual essay on cultivating artichokes in Niscemi (IT) and international artichoke recipes. As always, a set of garden miniatures can be found in the centrefold.

• 44 pages