The Halifax agave is dying, but its legacy could live on

They come in droves to stop and stare at itand take a photo or two.

The agave has captured the hearts of many in Halifax.

Nowthe decades-old plant affectionately nicknamed"Agave Maria" by some has finished blooming and is beginning itsslow descent into death.

It's a day that friends Laurie Duthie and FranoiseSzpilfogelknew was coming. The two have been visiting the agave atthe Halifax Public Gardens since spring.

"Every Sunday, we check on it to see if our plant is doing all right or not," Duthie says.

"We've adopted it," she laughs.

"People from near and far have been here lined up, taking photos. It's been great fun."

Defying the odds

The giant plant has been drawing crowds ever since itdefied odds this spring, growing a giant asparagus-like reproductive stalkand then bloomingwith bright yellow flowers.

Thanks to the agave, the gardens haveseen a bigincrease in visitors this year, saysHeidi Boutilier, the garden's horticulturalist.

"It's been pretty crazy," she says.

Agave stalk will topple over soon

But the agave's days are numbered, as the bloom marks the end of the plant's long life.

With browning leaves and a blackening stem, what will happen to the agave now?

"In the near future, it will topple over," Boutilier says. "We're not sure exactly when.We're going to navigate its trajectory so that it doesn't fall on some of these valuable plants."

She says the agave will eventually end up inthe compost, but the seeds will be up for grabs.

"It should produce hundreds, maybe a thousand seeds," she says."So depending on how many people want seeds, hopefully we have enough to go around."

Boutilier says she can't guarantee the seeds will grow, but she's hoping people will tryand is suggesting people call the city to request some of them.

"We're willing to give the seed away and if people want to try to propagate it, that would be awesome," she says.

'She's a determined old lady'

It's a bittersweet ending for many of the agave's loyal fans, including friends Duthieand Szpilfogel.

"She's taught everybody a whole pile of new stuff. There's been kids and grandparents and everything in between learning about this wonderful plant," Duthiesays.

"She's done her job, just like a mother,"Szpilfogelsays.

The two hope they'll have a few more visits left with the plant.

"She's a determined old lady, she's not ready to go yet. And we're on her side,"Duthiejokes.

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