DESERT PLANT BLOOMS DESPITE WET WEATHER

Despite weeks of cold and wet weather, an Agave Americana – a giant succulent plant native to Mexico – is blooming in the exposed garden at the National Trust’s St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall.

The Agave Americana plant enjoys warm weather and is only found growing successfully outdoors in the far South West. Despite sustaining weeks of battering winds and torrential rain in the exposed and precipitous garden on the island, the agave has sprouted a wand 25 feet in height and a mass of delicate yellow flowers have formed.

Agaves are also known as the ‘century plant’ because of the great age they can reach before flowering. Alan Cook, Head Gardener at St Michael’s Mount explains:

“We think the Agave is around 30 years old and we can’t believe that it’s flowering. It’s unusual enough to have one flowering in the outdoors in the UK, let alone after battling high winds, rain and the cold as it has in the last month or so.”

The flowering process is expected to take around two months and once the plant has finished flowering, it will slowly die having used up all its energy to blossom.

Alan continues:
“It’s a spectacular sight. The flower spike is massive and resembles a giant asparagus stalk! It's amazing to think that a Mexican plant can thrive on a Cliffside garden in Cornwall."

The National Trust’s St Michael’s Mount is open daily except Saturdays. The garden is open on Thursdays and Fridays in July and August.