Century plant, 33 feet tall, reaffirms couple's faith

Rick Monroe

Special to the Village News

Measuring 33 feet tall, the century plant at the home of Kelly and Greg Ullery on Los Aliso Drive in Fallbrook achieved that height in four months.

"It's amazing," said Kelly. "It was on Feb. 1 that I noticed the stalk start up a couple feet. And it hasn't stopped."

Greg, a retired surveyor, had a measuring pole to check the plant's height.

"When it stops flowering is when it will stop growing," Kelly said. "I've seen other century plants around town, but not as tall as this. It's still growing, but I don't know for how long."

A century plant is a type of agave and it blooms once in its lifetime. Many species flower just once, but there are a few that are repeat bloomers. The slow-growing plant takes years – although not 100 – to flower.

"It reminds me of God's creation," Kelly said. "Like us, it's born, grows, blooms and dies. I look at it in terms of our own lives."

The couple have lived in Fallbrook since 1988 and said they have enjoyed a blessed life.

"We see God's creation everywhere," he said.