The University of Florida’s Extension Center, located at 6263 Dogwood Drive in Milton, is playing host to a rare event, the swan song of the agave, commonly known as the century plant. According to Master Gardener Ralph Hendel, this succulent perennial only blooms every 10 to 15 years. Mary Derrick, resident horticulturalist, said after the plant blooms from the top of its 20 to 25 foot spike, it begins to die leaving offshoots in its wake. Derrick said, “The giant spike, which looks like an asparagus, can reach heights of 30 feet and live from 10 to 30 years. It is something well worth seeing and we hope everyone will take the opportunity to not only see this unusual sight, but also wander in our garden and see the many different types of flowers being grown. Now would be a great time.” The center is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a wide variety of publications of interest to gardeners and lawn care enthusiasts, and also offers soil analysis.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Bloom of the century