By Glynis Crawford Smith
The Highlander
When Russell Buster bought his hilltop home on Via Viejo in Marble Falls it came complete with a cactus garden.
This spring, one resident of that garden has sprouted. A Century Plant is reaching for the sky.
“I don't know for sure if it's a record,” said Buster. “But I haven't found a report of one larger.
“It is at least 16 feet across and you can compare the height already to my 5-foot 8-inches,” he said peering up.
Buster takes the garden giant for Agave Azul, the blue cactus of tequila fame, although Agave Americana is somewhat more prone to his size.
Looking more like a monster asparagus stalk right now, it soon will be topped with branches of the familiar upturned yellow flowers.
“It will die when it blooms out,” said Buster. “Already, it has pups coming up around it to take its place.
