Giant, rare plant finally blossoms after 25 years

By Faye Mayern

An amateur gardener has been left delighted after his giant, rare plant finally flowered after 25 years – despite knowing it will soon die.

Tony Kennington, 78, said he and his wife Padrica, 76, were given the agave americana in 2000 when it stood at just 45cm (18inches) tall.

Over 25 years, the giant plant shot up to more than 6m (20ft) tall and earlier this year grew bright yellow flowers.

The agave americana is also known as the century plant as it can take up to 100 years to produce flowers.

However it was always die after those have bloomed.

Kennington, from Hartford, near Huntingdon in Cambs, said: “I knew this plant would flower one day.

“But I thought ‘Would I ever get to see it?’ and I have.”

“It’s been a bit of competition between me and the plant over who