Giant agave bursts through glasshouse roof

A giant plant that has spent a decade growing at Birmingham Botanical Gardens is preparing for a rare final flowering display after bursting through the roof of its glasshouse.

The gardens' Agave sisalana, also known as sisal hemp, has reached 4.15m (13.6ft) tall and can be seen poking through Arid Glasshouse.

Visitors are now being invited to follow its progress as the plant enters its final flowering stage, a dramatic event that horticulturalists say is expected soon.

The venue said the agave had been carefully nurtured for about 10 years before producing a towering flower spike, which has now begun to branch.

The species is known for flowering only once in its lifetime before dying, making the display a rare sight for visitors.

Garden staff have set up a "bloom watch" chart so people can track the plant's development ahead of the flowering event.

The agave can be found inside the Arid Glasshouse, which houses a collection of cacti, succulents and plants from dry regions of Africa, the Americas and Australia.

Access to the display is included with admission to the gardens.

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