Grow AAS Gold Medal Winner Purple Majesty Millet

Enjoy the beauty and watch for birds snacking on the seeds of Purple Majesty millet.

This 2003 All-America Selections Gold Medal winner was discovered in a University of Nebraska grain-millet breeding program. Its purple leaves and flower spikes made it easy to spot among the other plants.

The easy-care Purple Majesty millet grows 3 to 5 feet tall and is very tolerant of heat and drought. Use the immature flower spikes in arrangements but be sure to leave enough on the plants for you and the birds to enjoy.

This and other ornamental millets such as Purple Baron, Purple Jester and Jade work well in gardens and containers.  Some garden centers sell them in fall or include them in ready-to-go planters. Consider adding these to next year’s garden or planters.

A bit more information: Purple Majesty and the other millets mentioned were selections of Pennisetum glaucum, one of the world’s oldest grains. It is grown as a food or forage crop in Africa and India.  In the U.S. you can find its tiny white seeds in birdseed mixes.

Tags

birds ornamental-millet

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