‘Century Plant’ Blooms in Bleckley County

COCHRAN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The fairytale Jack and the Beanstalk is no comparison to what’s growing in J.R. Bryant’s front yard.

The gardener has dozens of species sprouting about, but nothing like his ‘Century Plant’. After decades of watching the stubborn agave shrub, this month he was rewarded with a once in a lifetime bloom.

“The plant has been there 30 or 35 years,” Bryant said.

The tall stalk is known as a ‘Century Plant’ because even in its natural desert habitat, the sprout rarely flowers. When it does, it grows to great heights. Bryant’s is about 25 feet tall towering over his Cochran home.

“When it goes to blooming, it gets a lot of attention,” he explained.

But Bryant warns spectators to get a glimpse while it lasts. The flowers are typically short-lived and in less than a month, he expects the ‘Century Plant’ to wither.

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