NAGS HEAD, N.C. (WAVY) — For almost 30 years, the Century Plant took root at a Nags Head front yard. In short order, it sprouted a more than 40-foot stalk.
“What we used to have is about 20 little Agave americana, about this size right here, and these are what we call puppies,” Paul Kotasenski said.
It is the talk of the sandbar.
Paul and Dianne Kotasenski’s front yard was dolled up by an accomplished landscaper before they moved in nine years ago. It now has a sudden wonder.
“Two months ago, no stalk in the middle there,” Kotasenski described. “And then all of a sudden, I’m out here watering the hydrangeas, and I look up and I’m like, wow it’s six-foot high, eight-foot high, 10-foot high, 20-foot high, 30-foot high, and then it gets to be 40-foot high. I’m on the third floor and I want to reach out and touch it. Gives good protection for my geckos and my little birds that love to nest in there and sway with the wind.”
The long, almost asparagus-like stalk shot out of the ground in a matter of two months.
They named the plant Daisy, after their dog who recently passed away. Thinking of a century in dog years, the Century Plant blooms just once within the first 30 years of its life. Yellow flowers are just starting to bloom on one bunch. All of its arms are expected to sprout soon.
“I’ve had people from little babies to senior citizens just drive on by and want to know, when is it going to bloom,” Kotasenski said.
They expect it to be in full bloom in roughly two weeks.