See 19-year-old plant bloom for first and only time at North Carolina Botanical Garden

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- A special plant bloom is happening at the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill.

The plant itself, commonly known as an American columbo, is native to areas located from Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and north all the way into Canada. It is a monocarpic geranium, meaning it only blooms once and then it dies. For the American columbo that bloom may not happen for more than a dozen years.

This particular plant in Chapel Hill is 19 years old.

Botanical garden employees said they expect the flowering of the plant to last through mid-to-late May.

For anyone that can make it to the botanical garden, the flower will be quite a sight to see. It's flowering stalk could grow to 8 feet high. The stem will be a green to purple color with flowers that are light green to white and dotted with purple.

NC Botanical Garden is currently open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. On Thursday until June 13, the museum stays open until 7 p.m. for Twilight Thursdays. On Sunday, the garden is open from 1-5 p.m.

Admission to the garden is free. To learn more about planning your trip, click here.