A PENSIONER was left stunned when a flower he planted 42 years ago bloomed to nine feet tall.

Philip Roberts was ready to pass his beloved plant Prickly onto his grandson, after being told it wouldn’t flower for 100 years.

But the Mexican royal agave plant began to grow at pace in June and now towers over him at 9ft tall.

The 84-year-old retired printing press operator said he is delighted to have seen Prickly's head begin blooming with small yellow flowers.

"It's got so big, we can't have it in the house anymore,” he said.

"When we bought it, it was tiny. You could more than hold in your hand."

The Argus: The 84-year-old bought the plant from a small garden shop in Rye in August 1979 The 84-year-old bought the plant from a small garden shop in Rye in August 1979

Philip says he and his wife Grace, 84, bought the plant from a small garden shop while on holiday in Rye in August 1979.

“The man at the garden shop said it wouldn't bloom for 100 years. He was wrong because at 42 years on - it's started blooming,” Philip said.

"It was only a little old plant. I just liked the look of it. It wouldn't have cost any more than £2.”

Philip, from Beccles, Norfolk, said the plant has had to be moved into his garden as it no longer fits inside their front room.

“It was very, very prickly so you had to be very careful,” he added.

Prickly endured hot temperatures next to the elderly couple's fireplace and was rarely watered before it suddenly started growing in June.

"I was rather excited I tell you,” Philip added. “I was in my conservatory, and I turned around and saw a tiny little pink thing coming out.

"I couldn't believe it because I thought I might have to let my grandson have it to see it bloom. I ran in to get my wife and said 'quick, come see it.”

The Argus: The 84-year-old bought the plant from a small garden shop in Rye in August 1979 The 84-year-old bought the plant from a small garden shop in Rye in August 1979

Philip's daughter Sally, 57, drove from Norwich to see the plant with her own eyes and photograph it.

But despite his enthusiasm, Philip has said he'll get rid of Prickly when it finishes blooming and dies off.

He said: "The bloom is about 15 inches long and now it's about halfway up. It started to bloom from the bottom at three inches and then that died.

"It will get to the top and completely die, then it will release some seeds to grow some more. Afterwards I shall just get rid of her."