How Do You Care for Tall Ornamental Grasses?
Tall grasses are some of the easiest landscape plants to maintain! Plant them in full sun, water them well during their first growing season, and then let their drought-tolerant superpowers shine. They thrive in many soil types, from sandy loam to heavy clay, and need just a simple haircut—cut back in late winter or early spring to refresh them for the new year. Talk about a low-maintenance dream come true!
What Are the Tallest Ornamental Grasses for Privacy Screens?
Tall ornamental grasses like PAMPAS GRASS, SWITCHGRASS, and GIANT REED GRASS can soar to impressive heights between 6 and 30 feet! These bold beauties create fast-growing living fences that offer lush privacy and natural windbreaks. Their upright stems and billowing plumes move with the breeze, giving you a dynamic, living wall that’s as strong as it is stunning.
Are Tall Ornamental Grasses Good for Small Yards?
Absolutely! Even though they grow tall, many ornamental grasses like KARL FOERSTER FEATHER REED GRASS or HEAVY METAL SWITCHGRASS have slim, upright forms that fit like a glove into tighter spaces. Use them as accent plants, create a bold vertical line, or frame a cozy backyard patio with elegance and grace. Size doesn't matter when it comes to bringing big style into small spaces!
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My backyard butts up to an alleyway with a chain link fence. I can’t afford to replace the fence, so I’d like to plant a row of native tall grasses by the fence to add some privacy and beauty to my yard. I live in Colorado, USA (zone 5b) and my backyard gets full sun.
I am looking for a tall grass that would act as a privacy screen (at least 5’ tall), can withstand heavy snows, is drought-tolerant, and is relatively easy to care for. I’m torn between Big Bluestem and Switchgrass — both are native, drought-tolerant grasses that seem to get pretty tall. Do you have advice on which grass would be better? And, do you have advice on which variant of either grass is better?
Thanks so much for your help!