Any Guesses?

This flower I actually know, because it was a mother's day present a couple years ago. I didn't buy it for the flowers though, although they are much prettier than I expected.

Any guesses?

A hint...
You can eat the whatever-it-is-we-call-it after the flower dies and something big and delicious grows.

Another hint...
The whatever-it-is-we-call-it has a heart. And it's most peoples' favorite part to eat, although I think the petals are fun to eat too.

Any ideas?

It's an artichoke flower! And I was excited to see it blooming because in years past the artichokes have been too small to eat, but I think this year the plant is big enough to share. :)