GOING OUT WITH A BLOOM
A century plant recently was spotted in Hardwick during the middle of its . nal swan song. During their . nal few months of life, century plants typically grow an awe-inspiring bloom stalk, offi cially known as an "in. orescence." The stalk on the particular
century plant in Hardwick currently stands around 20 feet tall, its height rivaling a nearby telephone pole. Some gardeners refer to this as the plant's "asparagus stage," and this actually isn't factually incorrect. Edible asparagus plants and century plants, in taxonomic terms, are both members of the Asparagales order. The bloom stalks eventually branch out and produce yellow . owers, all part of the plants' last hoorah. Century plants are native to Mexico and south Texas. It's most commonly believed
that they were introduced to Georgia at some point in the second half of the 19th century, all part of the "Victorian gardening craze," when exotic-looking plants were viewed as status symbols.