Posted by Craig Newberry, Communications
Agave ovatifolia preparing to bloom near Penguin Habitat at Woodland Park Zoo. |
The Woodland Park Zoo is brimming with excitement as it prepares for a rare bloom. plants in the spotlight Agave ovatifolia— or whale’s tongue agave — usually grows in Mexico and has large grayish-blue leaves with pointed ends.
Whale’s Tongue Agave takes about 10 years to mature and its flowers reach 12 to 15 feet in height and create a dazzling beauty. The zoo’s blooming agave is at the southern end of the penguin’s habitat, where guests can get up close to towering stems estimated to be 10-12 feet tall. Agave plants grow in arid and semi-arid environments similar to the desert environments of Peru and Chile where Humboldt penguins live.
The agave that blooms at the southern end of penguin habitat is estimated to be 10 to 12 feet tall. |
Zoo horticultural staff expect the agave to start blooming soon and the flowers to last for most of the summer, so be sure to stop by on your next zoo visit. Unfortunately, agave dies after flowering, so don’t miss this rare opportunity. Horticultural staff plan to collect viable seeds from the agave once the seed pods are mature to grow new plants in future zoos.
Protect pollinators:
- Provide shelter so pollinators can find safe places to hide and protect their children. Here are some ideas you can try.
- leave a pile of wood
- Protect bare ground for ground-housing bees
- leave the cut grass
- keep piles of fallen leaves
- save dead trees and branches
- After brushing, place pet fur on the branches for bird nesting.
- Install a bee hotel
- Plant native plants to provide habitat and food for both adults (flowers) and larvae (many eat leaves!).
- Plant a variety of flowering plants.
- Healthy plants start with healthy soil. Use finished compost and a mulch such as Zoo Doo to avoid chemicals and create healthy soil in your garden.
- Provide water to your pollinators by placing marbles or stones and a small dish of water in your garden or patio.
- “Be an Insect Hero” — Insects need advocates willing to change their environment. Educate others on pollen care and spread information that encourages pollinator-friendly practices statewide.
- For more information, please visit: www.zoo.org/pollinators.