Death Bloom is underway at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

DES MOINES, Iowa — The flowers of the agave ovatifolia at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden are officially opening.

About a month ago we first introduced you to the death flower.

This agave takes about 10-15 years to bloom and when it does, it puts on a show. The 15 foot stem sprouted about two months ago and the flowers started to open about a week ago. They open and wilt from the bottom up.

According to horticulturists, the entire plant dies just one or two days after the last bloom, leaving only a few buds on the plant.

This agave is expected to last another two weeks before the entire plant dies.

People can visit the agave at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden Tuesday through Sunday. Here are their new summer hours:

• Tuesday: 10am – 7pm
• Wednesday – Friday: 10am – 5pm
• Weekends: 9am to 4pm
• Closed on Mondays

Tickets are $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and veterans, $9 for children ages 2-12, and free for everyone under.