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