Life Span
Perennial
Annual and Perennial
Origin
North America
Africa
Types
Water elm
Pennisetum glaucum
Habitat
Floodplains, Hillside, stream banks, Swamps, Upland
Sunny Edge, Warmer regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
3-9
8-11
Sunset Zone
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Upright/Erect
Flower Color
Green
Brown, Purple, Purplish-black
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Tan
Brown, Cream
Leaf Color in Spring
Light Green
Purple, Dark Green, Burgundy
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
Light Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Light Yellow
Purple, Dark Green, Burgundy
Leaf Shape
Oblique base
Long Linear
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall
Sunlight
Full Sun
Full Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Very Fast
Type of Soil
Loam
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Average
Well drained
Bloom Time
Early Spring
Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
Tolerances
Cold climate, Drought, Pollution, Salt
-
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Rooted stem cutting, Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Requires regular watering, Requires watering in the growing season, Water Deeply
Requires regular watering
In Summer
Ample Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Average Water
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Full Sun
Pruning
Remove dead branches, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove hanging branches
Prune in winter, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
Fertilize every year, fertilize in growing season, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium
15-0-15, All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Bark beetles, Beetles, Borers, Mites, Moth, Red blotch, Scale
Alternaria Leaf Spot, eyespot, Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Cold climate, Drought, Salt
Deer resistant, Drought
Flowers
Insignificant
Showy
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Medium
Coarse
Attracts
-
Aphids, Bees, Birds
Allergy
allergic reaction, Asthma
-
Aesthetic Uses
Landscape Designing
along a porch, deck or patio, Beautification, Informal Hedge, Mixed Border, Showy Purposes, Wild gardens
Environmental Uses
Absorbs greenhouse gases, Absorbs huge amounts of CO2, Air purification, Food for birds, Forms dense stands, Nesting sites for birds, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Air purification
Medicinal Uses
Antispasmodic, Astringent
-
Part of Plant Used
Bark, Stem, Tree trunks, Wood
Branch, Flowering Tips, Whole plant
Other Uses
Used as firewood, Used for woodware, Used in biomass, Used in construction, Used in Furniture, Used in paper industry, Used in pulpwood and lumber production, Wood is used for making furniture, Wood is used for ship building, Wood is used fore making tools, Wood is used in construction, Wood log is used in making fences
Beneficial species for attracting pollinators, repels deer
Used As Indoor Plant
No
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees
Bedding Plant, Container, Cutflower, Dried Flower/Everlasting, Mixed Border
Botanical Name
ULMUS americana
PENNISETUM glaucum 'purple millet'
Common Name
American Elm
Millet, Pearl Millet
In Hindi
अमेरिकी एल्म
purple millet
In German
amerikanische Ulme
purple millet
In French
orme d'Amérique
millet pourpre
In Spanish
olmo americano
purple millet
In Greek
American Elm
purple millet
In Portuguese
olmo americano
purple millet
In Polish
Amerykański wiązu
purple millet
In Latin
Latin ulmo
purple millet
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Liliopsida
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots