Pennisetum glaucum (120 days) F-1 hybrid. Annual. This 2003 AAS award-winning pearl millet accelerated the ornamental-grasses trend. Distinguished 3–5' tall background plant with deep-purple, almost black, corn-like foliage has purple seed spikes nearly a foot tall and an inch around. The immature plumes, looking like purple cattails, can be used in arrangements or left on the plant to attract birds. Tolerates hot dry weather, likes sun and can be cultured like sunflowers. Pamela and Frank Arnosky, in Growing for Market, reported that it was a sensational seller. However, they cautioned that some cuts left in their packing shed for a few days turned solid yellow with pollen that had an odor like burnt antifreeze. They advised cutting the spikes immature, just as they emerge from the last leaf, to circumvent the pollen. With all the hype, the seed is exorbitantly expensive, so we pack by seed count. ~116 seeds/g. ⑤
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5259
Purple Majesty Millet
Additional Information
Grains
Our grains selections are rare heirloom varieties especially chosen for small-scale production. Revived interest in food security and sovereignty inspires us to seek edible and heirloom grains. In the early 1800s Maine was the breadbasket of the U.S. Wheat and rice do not demand huge space and can be threshed with a little ingenuity. With good fertility, proper spacing and reasonable diligence, it is quite possible to harvest 10 lb of heirloom wheat from 100 plants in a 10x10' plot. A 100' row of rice can yield 6–10 lb.
Larger-scale growers and farmers, those seeking larger quantities of more mainstream varieties, or those looking for cover crops should check out the Organic Growers Supply list of Farm Seed.
Most of of our grains are also decorative in both form and color, making great accents to bouquets and wreaths. For more ornamental grains, see amaranths, ornamental millets and sorghum & broom corn.
Flowers
All flowers are open-pollinated except where noted.
Days in parentheses after a variety indicate days to first bloom.
Germination Testing
For the latest results of our germination tests, please see the germination page.
Our Seeds are Non-GMO
All of our seeds are non-GMO, and free of neonicotinoids and fungicides. Fedco is one of the original companies to sign the Safe Seed Pledge.
