Rare plants that take decades to burst bloom for the first time

Via SWNS

Massive rare plants which take decades to flower have burst into bloom for the first time - thanks to the heatwave.

The three furcraea longaeva grow over 16ft (5m) tall and can take over 25 years to show flowers.

But last year's warm summer, a cold winter and a hot spell has seen them bloom at the National Trust's Overbeck's Garden, near Salcombe, Devon.

The rare plants took a decade to grow, and in some cases, it can take even longer. (Daniel Dayment via SWNS)

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Sadly, when they flower, it means the plants may be dead within the next fortnight.

They were planted a decade ago by gardener Sam Elliott.

He told the BBC: ''They can take 10 years to flower, but possibly up to 25 years in some cases.

"It will leave tiny 'bulbils' that we will use to propagate future plants. It is very exciting to see them flower for the first time.''