You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
Hardiness: USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Danger: N/A
Bloom Color: Dark Purple/Black
Bloom Time: Mid Summer Late Summer/Early Fall
Foliage: Grown for foliage Dark/Black
Other details: May be a noxious weed or invasive This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings Flowers are good for cutting Flowers are good for drying and preserving
Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information: Non-patented
Propagation Methods: From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Seed Collecting: Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
This plant is a delight in the garden. I start them early to allow better placement and protection of young seedlings in the garden since they can be fussy to germinate. I have a number of slightly different ecosystems in my yard and have placed plants in all of them, including containers. The only ones that turn out any less than stunning are those in lower light settings. I have also noticed that the ones in a windy locale will get some browning of the leaf edges, even with plenty of water. This year I am saving seed, we'll see.
On Sep 12, 2009, grrrlgeek from Grayslake, IL (Zone 5a) wrote:
Grew easily from seed, they started out green with purple ribs and turned purple as they got taller. Tough as nails--mine stay upright regardless of wind, and one that got broken off at the base with a couple of tiny roots is doing fine with extra soil mounded around it to keep it upright. Too bad it doesn't come true from seed, but worth the yearly seed purchase.
I grew purple majesty last summer for the first time in the middle of my vegetable garden. My intent was to harvest the seed heads for dried arrangements. I was surprised that it served as a very effective trap plant for squash bugs. Very few squash bugs bothered my squash but were all over the millet. Will try it again this year.
On Mar 16, 2009, darylmitchell from Saskatoon, SK (Zone 3a) wrote:
I grew this as a bedding plant in a container in 2007. It was quite easy to look after and did nicely on a sunny patio. The only problem I had was that the foliage tips would dry out and turn brown. It would probably benefit from some shelter from drying winds.
On Aug 3, 2007, MarilynneS from Thunder Bay Ontario Canada (Zone 3a) wrote:
I bought two plants this summer to place in a garden that is filled with cannas, rudbeckias and marigolds. It was awesome to say the very least .. tall slender plant with a gorgeous burgundy spike. I am zone 3a.
On Jan 28, 2007, ladyschweig from Culpeper, VA (Zone 6b) wrote:
Bought two plants for my "bird garden." Not only did they grow almost as tall as the shephard hooks holding my feeders, the birds loved these plants! While I enjoyed having a tall, dark plant element the birds had loads of fun landing on the plants, eating from them, and "riding" them when too many birds hopped on at once.
I will plant again. Purple Majesty proved too fun not to!
On May 1, 2006, Suze_ from Bastrop County, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:
Even though I've repeatedly seen that this plant is listed as being hardy to zone 8a, I have yet to see it. Definitely an annual for me even in my protected south facing backyard.
However, I really, really love 'Purple Majesty' and grow it every year. One of the few annuals I go to the trouble to start flats of in the spring.
On Sep 7, 2005, Kell from Northern California, CA (Zone 9b) wrote:
This plant has been a fast fill in for me. It adds a great color and shape to my garden. The blooms are very striiking and laden with pollen. An easy plant in every way.
On Jul 30, 2004, Portlander from Portland, OR wrote:
Just planted two gallon-sized 'Purple Majesty' plants. I used plenty of good soil and have kept moist, but one plant is turning brown fast. I hope Portland's hot summer sun and the shock of transplant is all that is wrong.
On Jul 6, 2004, Commonsense from Rock Hill, SC (Zone 7b) wrote:
This is an amazing plant! I grew it for the first time this year. Germination indoors was spotty, but I got about ten plants from the packet of seeds, and they are WELL worth growing. They provide a vertical purple-black element in the garden that is invaluable. Their seed heads are frankly and magnificently sexual. I anticipate the birds will enjoy them, too.
On Sep 15, 2003, cblunkjr from Clatskanie, OR (Zone 8a) wrote:
May be wise to stake this plant in high wind areas.
It is lovely and makes want to run your hands up the bloom for the soft fuzzy feeling.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Salem, Alabama Fallbrook, California Los Angeles, California San Anselmo, California San Leandro, California Dayville, Connecticut Safety Harbor, Florida Vero Beach, Florida Rincon, Georgia Grayslake, Illinois Jacksonville, Illinois Greenville, Indiana Barbourville, Kentucky Ewing, Kentucky Latonia, Kentucky Louisville, Kentucky Opelousas, Louisiana Feeding Hills, Massachusetts Mathiston, Mississippi Hillsboro, Missouri Blair, Nebraska Mount Laurel, New Jersey Neptune, New Jersey Totowa, New Jersey Roswell, New Mexico Waverly, New York West Kill, New York Columbia Station, Ohio Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Clatskanie, Oregon Austin, Texas (2 reports) Elgin, Texas Fort Worth, Texas Paradise, Texas Plano, Texas Princeton, Texas Snook, Texas Salt Lake City, Utah Brandy Station, Virginia Okanogan, Washington Olympia, Washington Liberty, West Virginia
7 vendors have this plant for sale.
