ISU Extension News

Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915

6/12/03

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Linda Naeve, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-8946, lnaeve@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033, jmcguire@iastate.edu

Ornamental Millet - From Field to Garden Beauty

By Linda Naeve
Extension Coordinator
Reiman Gardens

The history of this week's Reiman's Pick is a "Cinderella" story about a plant. It is a plant that was transformed from a plain, ordinary field crop into an unusual, award-winning garden beauty.

'Purple Majesty' ornamental millet, Pennisetum glaucum, is a derivative of millet, a cereal grain. Millet is an important staple food crop in semi-arid areas of Africa and Asia. Farmers in the United States plant it as a forage crop.

The story of 'Purple Majesty' began at the University of Nebraska where an internationally-know millet breeder, Dr. David Andrews, worked and collected millet germplasm from around the world for his breeding research. A few years ago, a hybrid from his research grew with purple leaves and an attractive seed spike. It didn't have much agronomic value, but it was an attractive plant.

Harlan and Shirley Hamernik, prominent horticulturists and owners of BlueBird Wholesale Nursery in Clarkson, Nebraska, saw the unique purple millet while they were visiting Dr. Andrews' trial plots one summer day. The Hamerniks were impressed with this unique grass and encouraged Dr. Andrews to enter his new find in the All-America Selections (AAS) trials. It was entered in the national AAS trials in 1999 where it was grown and evaluated in trial gardens throughout the country. The AAS committee was so impressed with its performance that 'Purple Majesty' was selected as a Gold Medal AAS winner for 2003.

All-America Selections has been testing seeds and making selections of exceptional plants for home gardeners to grow since 1932. The AAS Gold Medal Award recognition is given only once or twice a decade. It is awarded when a plant is considered a "breeding breakthrough" and sets a new standard for the species. The last Gold Medal Award winners were the 'Profussion' zinnia series, 'White' (2001);'Cherry' and 'Orange' (1999). 'Purple Majesty' will be used as the standard for future ornamental millet varieties introduced or tested. New varieties will be judged in relation to the quality and characteristics of 'Purple Majesty'.

'Purple Majesty' ornamental millet, Pennisetum glaucum, grows 3 to 5 feet high and produces 8- to 12-inch plumes that emerge golden with pollen and then change to a shiny purple when the seeds mature. Its long, broad leaves and strong stem makes it look like a purple-leafed corn plant. Immature flower spikes can be cut and used in floral arrangements. If left on the plants, the seed spikes will provide a great snack for birds.

'Purple Majesty' is an annual in the garden. It grows quickly, requiring about 60 to 70 days from seed to flower. Gardeners will find it available as transplants from garden centers. Select small plants or those that are not root-bound in the pot. 'Purple Majesty' plants will reach their maximum height if they have not been stressed by cold temperatures or over-watered.

It is not too late to plant 'Purple Majesty' ornamental millet in the garden because it needs warm air and soil for best growth. Plant it in a location that receives full sun. The purple foliage adds a lot of contrast to a garden and looks great planted in groups of five or more plants or in combination with other plants in large containers.

After planting, water ornamental millet regularly for the first couple of weeks. Beyond that, it is very heat and drought tolerant.

You can see a beautiful display of 'Purple Majesty' ornamental millet among the 10,000 other annual flowers in the Margaret E. Penkhus Campanile Garden at Reiman Gardens.

To learn more about the Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University visit us on the Web at: http://www.reimangardens.iastate.edu/.

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Editors: A color photo, suitable for publication, is available at right. Click on the thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The picture's fullsize photo is 520K.

Caption: Photo courtesy of All-America Selections


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