Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Baron'
pearl millet 'Purple Baron'
Fast-growing annual grass about 1.5m tall, forming a large clump of broadly strap-shaped, dark green leaves maturing to dark mahogany-purple in summer. Stout, upright, tan to gold bottlebrush-like flower panicles produced on leafy stems in summer, followed by shiny purple seedheads, the seeds are very attractive to birds
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Gold Bronze | Bronze Purple | ||
| Autumn | Purple Red | Purple | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Poaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Pennisetum can be annual or perennial, evergreen or deciduous grasses, clump-forming or spreading in habit, with linear leaves and narrow flowering panicles with conspicuous bristles
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil, planting out in spring when the frosts have passed. See ornamental grasses cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in containers in a warm glasshouse in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Patio and container plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Bedding
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Treat as an annual and remove dead foliage and old flowered stems as plants fade
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.