|
GARDENER'S
READING ROOM
Annuals
What
Is This Purple Plant?
 A
serendipitous discovery in a trial field of pearl millet has
produced a distinguished annual for the landscape. Developed
at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Pennisetum
glaucum ‘Purple Majesty’ is a
showy version of a plant normally used for forage or grain.
Featured as an All-American Selection, it is also the recipient
of the AAS Gold Medal flower award, given only once or twice
a decade for plant breeding breakthroughs and exceptional
performance.
“Tall, dark, and handsome” would be the best description
of this fast-growing annual. At maturity, ‘Purple
Majesty’ Millet reaches 4-5 feet tall;
the corn-like stalks are 2-3” in diameter, sporting
showy purple leaves with a red midrib. As an added bonus,
the long, narrow, 12-14” cattail-like immature seed
plumes are great in floral arrangements, while birds love
the mature seed heads. Informal clusters of 5-9 plants make
an excellent background for annuals or a focal point in a
long flat border. Great choices for perennial companions include
‘Hameln’
dwarf fountain grass, Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’or
‘Indian Summer’,
Echinacea,
Russian Sage,
and Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’.
Full
sun is important to develop ‘Purple
Majesty’s’ deep purple color and
narrow foliage. It will perform adequately in partial sun,
but shade will make the leaves turn greener and wider. The
plant tolerates drought and poor soil but performs best in
rich, moist soil with a top dressing of mulch. Avoid letting
the plant dry out to the wilting point. Fertilize it a month
after setting out, then again 6-8 weeks later.
Striking, distinguished, and bold,
Pennisetum glaucum ‘Purple Majesty’
is THE “gotta have” plant for 2003! Come pick
it up at Sky.
By Lynn Wright, W.C.P.H.
Skylights Spring/Summer 2003, Vol 17, No. 2
Other
articles on annuals
|
