There is just something mysterious about a swath of tall grass, provoking thoughtful questions of what lies beyond. A kingdom of man-eating giants, or just some residents tired of their inconsiderate neighbors?
Tall grasses are an economical yet elegant way to provide a screen of privacy. They tend to grow quickly, creating a natural barrier that shields your space from prying eyes. Ornamental grasses can rapidly fill up a medley of spaces, from blistering areas of sun to landscape borders. Mix and match with several varieties to create a bounty of different texture and colors. If your garden habitat allows for it, you can even match agave with straw-like grasses for a wild combination.
Here’s a few of the best ornamental grasses that will create lush, inviting areas of respite.
1. Pink Muhly Grasses
One of the most attractive ornamental grasses, pink muhly grasses manage an elegance that escapes other more garishly pink flowers – it’s a subtle shade of pink that lasts for months. From late summer to late fall, when the coolness starts to set it, it forms surreal clouds of flamingo-pink plumes. Use for sidewalk borders, driveways, patios, and more.
2. Muhlenbergia ‘White Cloud’
The inflorescence of this variety of muhlenbergia grasses glistens a beautiful moonlit white, giving a placid, cloud-like feel as it sways in the soft breeze. Suitable for planting in large drifts, it also pairs well with perennials like asters in raised garden beds. As a clump-forming variety, it does not spread aggressively.
3. Porcupine Grass
The uniquely variegated blades of porcupine grass, growing upright in spiky drifts, offers fun opportunities to customize your color scheme in the garden. In its natural habit, it is found on the open prairie, preferring dry or gravelly soil conditions. Its seed heads resemble porcupine quills – and are just as sharp – so be careful when handling. While some Miscanthus species can be invasive, porcupine grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus') is not considered aggressive, although it will reseed itself. Mulch will help prevent reseeding.
4. Purple Majesty Grass
The striking color of the purple majesty grass alludes to witchcraft and villainy, among other fun things. It’s the perfect grass for Wednesday Addams, and achieves a striking effect when placed with low-lying flowers, where its leafy stems arise like corn stalks. Very easy to grow in almost all zones, it is good for drying and can tolerate drought.
5. Feather Reed Grass
Feather reed grasses may not be the showiest of grasses, but they do get the job done. Some varieties, like 'Karl Foerster,' are known for their upright growth habit and unyielding nature, creating a screen of privacy. As the seasons progress, the foliage changes from a warm bronze to a rustic yellow. They are also one of the few ornamental grasses that can tolerate heavy clays, making them ideal for sunken areas filled with water or rain gardens. It prefers moist soil, so regular watering is necessary.
6. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’
There is a growing concern that Chinese Silver grass is invasive in many parts of the US. On the other hand, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ is sterile, meaning that it produces a limited number of viable seeds. As a further precaution, do not plant two cultivars on your property. ‘Morning Light’ grows in dense clumps, providing an effective way to cover ground quickly, and in the winter, provides seasonal interest to barren landscapes.
7. Fountain Grass
Featuring the classic fuzzy catkins, fountain grasses form a graceful expanse that flows with the garden. Ruby Fountain Grass is a beautiful grass with a maroon color; it displays well with soft edges of green, such as more compact ornamental grasses and silvery foliage. Fountain grass tolerates a wide range of soils, but requires good drainage.
8. Tiger Grass
If you desire the exotic look of bamboo but don’t want the hassle of uprooting its rhizomes, tiger grass is a great alternative. With an upright growth habit akin to bamboo and capacious leaves, tiger grass is an underappreciated plant that evokes the verdant feel of the tropics. Compared to bamboo, tiger grass is more beneficial for the environment – it encourages biodiversity by harboring small animals.
9. Switchgrass
A longstanding prairie grass, switchgrass sways in the breeze, providing a gentle rustle. In accordance with the fluctuations of the prairie, it has adapted to grow in a wide range of conditions and is virtually pest-resistant once established. Switchgrass is one of these plants that thrive on neglect – soil rich in nutrients can actually cause it to flop over.
10. New Zealand Flax
Another tropical variety of grass is New Zealand flax, known from its sword-like leaves, which flare in architectural patterns. Grown in hardiness zones 9-11, it has been cultivated to display various shades of bronze, purple, yellow, green, red, and maroon. It also does well in rolling containers that you can move around as you see fit.
11. Little Red Head Clumping Bamboo
Like others in the Fargesia genus, this variety of bamboo will not wander indiscriminately. Its red-tinged sheaths contrast vividly with its green foliage, offering a tropical vibe. Even in colder regions, where it grows in sprawling mounds, it remains attractive. Despite its moniker, it can grow to heights of 8 – 10 feet once mature.
12. Big Bluestem
The blades of bluestem emerge blue, then develop into red and burgundy hues during the summer. While it can get aggressive if left undisturbed and outcompete other grasses, their spread also depends on local geography and weather conditions. Big bluestem is not suited for small spaces, but in typical garden settings or raised beds, it is not likely to be a concern.