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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

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