Pennisetum glaucum
Couscous, Pearl millet
- Height × spread
- 4m × 1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
The species is grown as a commercial crop. The plant itself originated in West Africa and slowly spread across continents. Its crop, pearl millet, is a food staple in parts of Africa and India. It is also used to brew beer since it has a high sugar content. The plant itself stands upright with strappy green leaves and long, close-knit ears that look rather like a giant form of the plantain that may inhabit our lawns. In optimum conditions this can attain a height of 4 metres. The seeds are harvested when ripe, they are small and shiny, coloured rather like the husks of cob nuts. This is grown as an annual, and the ornamental, coloured leaf forms are used as garden ornamentals.
- Flower colour
- Brown
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 4m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Prairie garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - late · Planting
Divide when too large
When the plant is too large clumps may be divided into two or more pieces. Rhizomes can be cut, whilst small bulbs or offsets are detached. The new plants can be grown in a container or planted in the ground.
Winter
Winter - mid-late · Planting
Prune to the ground in winter
Cut foliage to the ground before new growth starts in spring.
Where stems are grown for ornamental value, they should be removed either before new growth starts in spring, or during winter when they begin to look ragged or untidy.
Found in
More Pennisetum
Pennisetum
Fountain grass
Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum'
Purple fountain grass
Pennisetum alopecuroides
Fountain grass, Swamp foxtail grass, Chinese pennisetum, Chikara shiba
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'
Fountain grass, Swamp foxtail grass, Chinese pennisetum, Chikara shiba
Pennisetum alopecuroides f. viridescens
Fountain grass, Swamp foxtail grass, Chinese pennisetum, Chikara shiba
Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Baron'
Ornamental millet, Pearl millet
Pennisetum x advena 'Fireworks'
Variegated Fountain grass
Pennisetum 'African Breeze'
Fountain grass