A PENSIONER from Stratton believes he has the largest plant in Swindon.

Derrick Morris, 85, has an eight-foot yucca plant in his front garden and believes it is the largest in the area.

"I think it's the largest one around," said Derrick. "It's getting bigger and bigger every year.

"I certainly haven't seen anything like it around Swindon."

Derrick planted the centrepiece of his Casson Road front garden, eight years ago.

And ever since it began its accelerated sprouting the plant has attracted attention and been a hit with the neighbours.

"Everyone loves it round here," said Derrick.

"They drive by and say what a lovely plant you have.'"

And, as the plant got taller over time, more blooms started to appear.

Derrick said: "It started off with one bloom for a long while then it had two blooms on it.

"Then one day my daughter-in-law came in and told me there were four blooms on it.

"I didn't realise, I thought there was only two.

"The fourth isn't quite as big as the others but he's getting there."

Despite the size of the plant Derrick insists it is not terribly difficult to maintain.

He said: "You can't get right up close to it as it has some spikes on it but as long as we don't get a gale it's quite tidy."

During bad weather conditions the yucca plant can be affected.

"It's growing up and up," said Derrick. "I don't think it will last much longer in this weather.

"I may need to trim it back to stop the leaves blowing off it."

Despite originating from the continent, yucca plants are not as rare as they once were.

Sarah Lovelock, from Blooms Garden Centre near Wroughton said: "They're not rare at all.

"They do grow well over in the UK now. They've been available in the UK market for quite a while."

Despite being a growing feature in the UK, yucca plants do sometimes struggle with the weather England offers.

Sarah said: "We are a lot wetter than the Continent. There they are are used to hot and dry weather.

"But if they are planted and happy then they will flower after a year."

There are a wide variety of yucca plants however the Yucca Filamentosa, which are a basic green colour, are the most common.

l DO you think you have a plant that is bigger than Derrick's?

Maybe you have a giant sunflower? Or even a giant Californian redwood?

Why not send us a picture, to newsdesk@swindon advertiser.co.uk.