CUTTINGS

Two plants are coming into flower for the first time at the University of Oxford Botanic Garden, Rose Lane, Oxford. The first is a five-year- old

banana, Ensete

ventricosum, which was grown at the garden from seed collected in East Africa. The second is the century plant, Agave

americana, which is said to flower only once every 100 years.

Last weekend, after much press coverage, there were queues down the riverbank to see it. Such interest is unprecedented in the

garden's history. The agave is likely to flower for

another three weeks, so do go and see it. You will not be around next time it flowers.

The garden is open every day from 9am-5pm, the glasshouses from 2-4pm. From Sunday the garden will be charging visitors a small summer fee of pounds 1.