Millet, Purple Majesty (Pennisetum Glaucum) - 10 Seeds
•Non-GMO
•American grown seeds
•Bee Friendly
•Butterfly Friendly
•Easy to grow
•USDA Zones: 7a - 11
Description:
In 2003, ‘Purple Majesty’ took the gardening world by storm when it was a 2003 All-America Selections Gold Medal Winner. Since then several other selections of Pennisetum glaucum have been developed as ornamentals. P. glaucum, sometimes called cattail, bulrush, or pearl millet, is one of the world’s oldest cultivated grains, grown as a food or forage crop in Africa and the Indian subcontinent since prehistoric times (but most commonly seen in the US as the small round white seed in birdseed mixes). The plant resembles maize or corn but all of the ornamental types were selected for their attractive foliage and inflorescences rather than for crop yield. Purple Majesty, was developed from selections in a grain millet-breeding program at the University of Nebraska, where it stood out among the normal plants with green foliage. This and several other more recently developed cultivars make striking accent plants in the garden.
Planting Instructions:
Sow seeds in individual 2-4 in. containers, 2-3 seeds per pot, and cover with ½" of soil. Kept at 72-78°F, germination is in 3-10 days. Can direct sow into prepared seed beds, after the soil has warmed, and all danger of frost has passed. Thin to 12" apart. Full sun or part shade. If started indoors young plants will be green, and will begin to color within a few days of being placed in the sun. Plants tolerate high heat, can be planted against fences and walls, along driveways in hot spots that would burn most plants.