Melinda Myers

Ornamental Millet

Botanical Name

Pennisetum glaucum

Min Zone

8

Max Zone

11

Height

2 to 5 feet

Width

12 to 18 inches

Flowers

Summer: 12 to 16 inch long, bottle brush-like, held atop sturdy stems, resembling cattails

Fruit

Small seeds of white, yellow, brown or purple

Light

Full sun

Soil

Moist, well-drained

Planting & Care

• Typical of warm season grasses, ornamental millet is slow to start, but takes off as weather warms
• Begin fertilizing early in the season for best growth
• Goldfinches and sparrows enjoy the seeds

Problems

None serious

Varieties

• Purple Majesty - deep purple foliage, 4 to 5 feet tall
• Purple Barron - fuller growth than Purple Majesty, 3 feet
• Purple Jester - striking foliage of burgundy, green and chartreuse, flowers later than other cultivars
• Jade Princess - compact 2 feet, chartreuse foliage with dark flower spikes