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An amateur gardening enthusiast as been left overjoyed as his rare giant plant has at last bloomed after a 25-year wait. Tony Kennington, 78, and his wife Padrica, 76, were gifted the agave americana in 2000 when it was merely 45cm tall.
Over the course of 25 years, the plant grew to an impressive height of over 6m 20ft and sprouted bright yellow flowers earlier this year. The agave americana, also known as the century plant, can take up to 100 years to bloom but inevitably dies after flowering.
Tony, from Hartford, near Huntingdon said: I knew this plant would flower one day. But I thought Would I ever get to see it? and I have. It been a bit of competition between me and the plant over who was going to live longer.
The couple received the agave americana in 2000 and it remained in a pot for five years.
The retired builder recalled: It was looking a bit sad. Instead of sticking it in another pot, I thought Id stick it in the ground. Five years later, we decided to build an extension and I dug a clay hole with a mini digger and plopped it in the hole.
Image: James Linsell Clark SWNS
I thought itd probably die but at least Ill give it a chance. It thrived.
Over the next decade, Tony observed as the agave americana grew like mad and he constructed a frame and roof to protect it.
He noted: In May, the whole thing looked a bit odd. It had thinner leaves in the centre. It suddenly dawned on me the flower spike was emerging out of it and I quickly had to remove the roof.
It was growing a couple of inches a day. It was stood like a spike for a while and then the arms started opening out on it.
The flowers started to emerge and they
e starting to open. It two thirds of the way to the top. The plant species originates from Mexico and the United States, particularly Texas – but remains relatively uncommon in UK residential gardens.
Image: James Linsell Clark SWNS
The plant perishes following its flowering period but generates adventitious shoots – or uds from its base – enabling continued growth.
Tony said: Ive got lots of little ones so Ill have something else to live with. Weve only had one bad frost in the last ten years and Im certain global warming has contributed to that.
If youve got one yourself, don assume it doesn need watering. Mine has never gone short of water in the summer months and it loves it. ,
