A 35-year-old desert plant is preparing to bloom before it dies at the Muttart Conservatory.
Bella, an Agave Americana, was planted 35 years ago and is about to blossom for the first and only time before its death.
“She’s been sitting here, waiting, growing, growing, building up all of her energy,” said Dorothy Jedrasik with the Muttart Conservatory.
On Aug. 1, the flower stalk began to rise and now nearly reaches the top of the pyramid.
“We believe she’s about 30-feet tall, so almost touching the light up there,” Jedrasik said.
‘Bella’ is expected to bloom in the next couple weeks, revealing light, yellow flowers.
“All agaves grow to bloom and then bloom to die,” Jedrasik said.
“If you look at the branches, they’re really nice and upright but if you look at the bottom of the plant, they’re already starting to collapse down. All the energy is going into the flowers and she’s slowly letting go. It’s a sad story. It’s very special.”
Agave Americana plants typically grow in semi-arid regions of the U.S. and Mexico and have a lifespan of between seven and 40 years.
Jedrasik said this is a rare opportunity for Edmontonians to view the special plant in all of its beauty before it dies.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said. “Make sure you have your camera.”
She estimates the plant has just a few months left to live after it blooms and says there are three baby agaves growing at the base of the plant that will continue the family line after 'Bella' dies.
