Chicago conservatory's Agave tops 15 feet, set to bloom

CHICAGO (AP) — An agave plant at a Chicago conservatory has grown to over 15 feet in height and is set to bloom in coming weeks for the only time in its roughly 35-year lifespan. The Agave guiengola at the Garfield Park Conservatory was expected to reach 4 to 6 feet tall. But after growing for just over a month, the Chicago Sun-Times reports the flower “spike” was measured at just over 15 feet last week. And it’s still growing. Florticulturist Ray Jorgensen says “It’s just going crazy.” The agave’s spike is covered in tiny green buds that will broom in the next few weeks. It will then slowly die over the following months.