After spending a decade quietly building towards its biggest performance, Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ Agave sisalana (sisal hemp) has finally entered its rarely seen ‘death bloom’ phase after shooting up through the Arid Glasshouse ceiling and reaching an impressive height of 546cm tall.
Known as the botanical world’s ultimate farewell tour, the agave’s dramatic final act sees years of stored energy unleashed in one flowering display before the plant reaches the end of its life.
But in the city that gave the world heavy metal, Birmingham Botanical Gardens is encouraging visitors to celebrate the plant’s last hurrah rather than mourn it. Whether its final soundtrack of choice is Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Napalm Death or even Beethoven’s Funeral March, this is one finale that deserves to be experienced at full volume.
And while it’s known as a ‘death bloom’, its story doesn’t end there. As the flower fades, hundreds of tiny plants, known as bulbils, will fall from the flowering stem which will be collected and stored for future planting. The Gardens have already started growing four clones of the mother plant, called ‘pups’.
The Arid Glasshouse is planted with a variety of succulents, cacti and plants from temperate dry environments spanning from Africa to the Americas and Australia.
Access to the Arid Glasshouse is included with a valid Birmingham Botanical Gardens ticket. Standard adult tickets are £10 (£11 including donation), and child tickets (5-16) are £7 (£7.70 including donation), with concession and family tickets available. Children under 5 go free.
The Gardens’ on-site cafe, Medicine Bakery, will also be open all summer long to keep visitors fuelled with freshly made sandwiches, sweet treats, and beverages.
To find out more about Birmingham Botanical Gardens visit, https://birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk/