Encounters with monster plants

Not everything is cute and tiny in the plant world. Recently, I have had some memorable encounters with some  of horticulture’s monster plants.
Like Amorphophallus titanium, also known as the Titan arum. When the flower opens, the smell is so bad, it has been compared to rotting meat, which is why it was named the “corpse flower” in Indonesia.

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Amorphophallus titanium

In another place, I came upon an old tulip tree, probably more than 100 years old, with giant limbs. You can see me here helping hold up one of the arms of this magnificent tree. Of course.

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Giant tulip tree

Gunnera is not an unusual plant here in B.C. but it is unusual to find dozens of them planted together to create a jungle of gunnera.

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Gunnera jungle

I recently got to walk inside such a “jungle”, surrounded by the immense corrugated leaves of this impressive monster plant.

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Giant bull sculpture

In a sculpture garden, I came face to face with an immense bull-face.
Being a Taurus myself, it was no surprise that I found this super-sized horned creature impressive. Pity there is no room for one in my garden.

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Alocasia

And then I came across the massive leaves of a Borneo elephant ears plant (Alocasia) with leaves that are 1.2 m (five feet) wide.

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Allium ‘Purple Giant’

Alliums have always been a favourite of mine, so it was natural for me to immediately fall in love with Allium ‘Purple Giant’ when I saw it for the first time. Now to find some for my own garden.

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Desert ash (Fraxinus angustifolia)

Big trees are always impressive but I was amazed at the beauty of a large desert ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) with its terrific bundles of narrow leaves.

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Puma chilensis from Chile

But I think the most thrilling “big” plant that came into my life over the last few weeks was the South American Puya chilensis, one of the largest members of the bromeliad family with huge spiky 3m stalks.
Not all of these big beauties can be grown here. The puya and Titan arum are certainly too tender but it is always fun to meet some of nature’s botanical giants.

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Showing support for big trees

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