Pennisetum glaucum 'Jester'
Ornamental Millet 'Jester'
Pennisetum glaucum - ornamental millet - is an annual grass with several stems, and leaves up to 3" wide and up to 40" long. In Summer the flowers are somewhat bottlebrush - like, at the ends of the stems, and are followed by upright clusters of little, round millet seeds follow. (This is the millet that you buy for parakeets or budgies etc. at pet stores - and wild birds like it, too.) 'Jester' has bronze foliage and 20-30cm cattail-like flower plumes that change from gold to purple as they mature.
Contributed by @franshinegee
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Full sun
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Very little water
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Frost Hardy: 23F (-5°C)
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Light and free draining
Common name
Ornamental Millet 'Jester'
Latin name
Pennisetum glaucum 'Jester'
type
Annual Grass
family
Poaceae
ph
5.0 - 7.0 Acid - Neutral
Plant & bloom calendar
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Best time to plant
full grown dimensions
Pennisetum glaucum 'Jester'
Pennisetum glaucum - ornamental millet - is an annual grass with several stems, and leaves up to 3" wide and up to 40" long. In Summer the flowers are somewhat bottlebrush - like, at the ends of the stems, and are followed by upright clusters of little, round millet seeds follow. (This is the millet that you buy for parakeets or budgies etc. at pet stores - and wild birds like it, too.) 'Jester' has bronze foliage and 20-30cm cattail-like flower plumes that change from gold to purple as they mature.
Planting young plants
From Mid Autumn TO Late Spring
Pennisetum are very hardy so they could be planted in the autumn, however late spring is the best time. Newly-bought plants take at least three years to clump up to a decent size and many nurseries specialising in grasses recommend planting in threes and fives. The slightest breeze will add an extra dimension to the winter garden, as well as movement, so it’s important to position all Pennisetum where they catch the light. Don’t tuck them away in deep shade.