Massive rare plants which takes decades to flower have burst into bloom for the first time - thanks to the heatwave.<br /><br />The three furcraea longaeva grow over 16ft (5m) tall and can take over 25 years to show flowers.<br /><br />But last year's warm summer, a cold winter and a hot spell has seen them bloom at the National Trust's Overbeck's Garden, near Salcombe, Devon.<br /><br />Sadly when they flower it means the plants may be dead within the next fortnight.<br /><br />They were planted a decade ago by gardener Sam Elliott.<br /><br />He told the BBC: ''They can take 10 years to flower, but possibly up to 25 years in some cases.<br /><br />"It will leave tiny 'bulbils' that we will use to propagate future plants. It is very exciting to see them flower for the first time.''
