'My artichoke is officially the world's biggest'

An amateur gardener said it was "surreal" to have an official world record artichoke thistle on his front lawn.

In July, Guinness World Records judges fast-tracked the process to assess the 3.22m-tall (10.6ft) artichoke growing in his garden, because of fears it would wilt.

Nathan Garnett received the recognition on 24 November and opened up his certificate last weekend.

"Once we knew for sure [it was a record], it was a really, really good feeling," said the 49-year-old, from Rayleigh, Essex.

Mr Garnett named the plant Audrey, inspired by the Little Shop of Horrors musical, but has now trimmed it back.

Audrey will grow back with gusto in 2026 - he hopes - and he is selling her seeds to anyone tempted to compete against him.

In exchange for the seeds, he is collecting donations for Havens Hospices, which is based in Southend-on-Sea.

"I'm hoping that this one may be taller again next year so we've got a race on our hands," he told BBC Essex.

"I've got quite a few [artichokes], some have self-seeded in the garden at the back, so I've got some baby Audreys out there, so bring it on!"

Mr Garnett revealed that he grew Audrey just with a "bit of horse manure".

He said the postman was a great admirer, but that one councillor called it a "monstrosity".

Guinness World Records confirmed it was the first time it had verified a plant of this particular species, describing it as a "genuine first of its kind".

Mr Garnett said the plant was an "annoyance" for his family initially, because it was blocking out light into the living room.

"But as the story took off, and as she got to the peak and we realised it could be a world record, then they've been fully behind it; so much so that my wife's even made a blue plaque for me," he said.

"My dad was a fruit farmer so maybe it's a family thing," he added.

Horticulturalist Simon Corlick said he identified the plant as a cynara cardunculus, also known as a cardoon or artichoke thistle, via its "sea mine-looking flower head".

"The plant was not only huge but was also in perfect health with no signs of disease," said Mr Corlick.

"It'll be interesting to see if other gardeners will attempt to grow larger specimens next year!"

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