Ornamental Millet

Botanical Name

Pennisetum glaucum

Min Zone

Max Zone

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