Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Majesty'
Ornamental Millet 'Purple Majesty'
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.) Ornamental Millet 'Purple Majesty' is an attractive foliage plant. Young plants have green leaves, but the stems and mid-rib turn purple after a couple of months. Outdoor plants turn dark purple when planted in full sun.
Contributed by @bfairhead
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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 'Purple Majesty'
Latin name
Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Majesty'
type
Annual Grass
family
Poaceae
ph
5.0 - 7.0 Acid - Neutral
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Light
Full sun
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Frost
Frost Hardy: 23F (-5°C)
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Soil
Light and free draining
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Water
Very little water
Plant & bloom calendar
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Best time to plant
full grown dimensions
0.45 M
1.20 M
Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Majesty'
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.) Ornamental Millet 'Purple Majesty' is an attractive foliage plant. Young plants have green leaves, but the stems and mid-rib turn purple after a couple of months. Outdoor plants turn dark purple when planted in full sun.
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.
treefrog44
bfairhead