Apart from providing long-term privacy, these grasses also act as ornamentals, adding a touch of elegance to your home. However, with the many grasses to choose from, finding the right type may not be easy. 

In this article, we’ll look at the best perennial grasses available, their heights, appealing features, and hardiness zones to help you select the best plant for your landscape.

1. Beard Grass (Schizachyrium scoparium)

Beard grass, also called Little bluestem, is a perennial grass that grows in dense erect clumps. It has a hardiness zone of 3-9 in well-drained soil and full sunlight. Once established, it develops high drought, humidity, and salt tolerance.

The dense clumps grow up to 2-4 feet in summer and reach 5 feet in favorable conditions, providing excellent shade and privacy. Its blue-greenish hue in the summer turns copper-brown in the fall giving a beautiful contrast to the landscape.

2. Big Bluestem Grass (Andropogon gerardii)

Big bluestem is a warm-season perennial grass that grows up to 8 feet. Its height and even spread provide a good cover for safety and privacy. It thrives best in a hardiness zone of 4-9 and can grow in most soils. It requires minimal care once established. Proper management is needed, however, due to its invasive nature. 

3. Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana)

Pampas grass is a majestic perennial that can grow up to 10-12 feet. Its elaborate slim and weeping leaf blades that form 4-6 feet wide tufts at the bottom and its long stiff stems make it one of the best grasses to plant for privacy. Its silvery white flumes also add a touch of color to your landscape. 

It grows best in hardiness zones 7-11 and can tolerate most soils including sandy soils. However, note that it may be hard to remove in the future or to prevent regrowth. 

4. Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)

Pink Muhly grass is a beautiful perennial that grows 2-4 feet tall. It has little to no pest or disease problems making it an excellent, low-maintenance screen grass. Its breathtaking pink cloud-like plumes also make a showy display adding texture to your home. 

The grass is adaptable to hardiness zones 6-11, does not spread aggressively, is deer-resistant, and with consistent moisture, it can achieve more height.

5. Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora)

Feather reed grass, a cool grass in the Calamagrostis genus, is a popular privacy hedge. It grows up to 5 feet with a 2 feet leaf spread.

Its swaying showy feathery stalks don a reddish-purple tint in spring and turn golden in fall giving your outdoor space a never-ending vibrancy. It thrives best in hardiness zones 4-9, in well-drained soils and does not require extra care.

6. Zebra Grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’)

Zebra is among the most popular perennial fencing grasses, and it’s easy to see why. It can grow to 8 feet tall while its long arching foliage spreads to about 6 feet wide, perfect for blocking unpleasant views. 

Apart from its dense hedge, it has eye-catching wide green leaves with horizontal yellow bands, adding texture to your landscape.  

It grows well in zones 5-9 and is also highly resistant to pests, diseases, and deer.

7. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

Switchgrass is a North American perennial grass that can provide safety and privacy with its robust clump foliage and plumes that reach up to 7 feet tall. 

Its foliage maintains its green color throughout the growing season and turns to pale yellow in the fall. It grows in zones 3-9 in clay or sandy soils. 

When grown in masses, it provides a perfect tall screen for safety and privacy. 

8. Ravenna Grass (Tripidium ravennae)

Also known as hardy pampas grass, Ravenna is an exceptional choice for maintaining privacy. Its impressive height of 6-12 feet and arching foliage up to 5 feet provide a formidable screen that will keep prying eyes away. 

It grows well in zones 5-9 in sunny and well-drained conditions. Keep in mind that it can become invasive and difficult to remove. 

9. Chinese Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinensis)

With its tall stature of about 4-12 feet and dense clumping foliage, Chinese silver grass is a favorite choice for creating lasting privacy screens and informal hedging. Its shimmering silver arching foliage also adds impressive aesthetic value to any outdoor space.  

Chinese silver grass can thrive in zones 4-9 depending on the cultivar. It is however considered quite weedy and requires extra care to ensure it does not outcompete other desirable plants. 

10. Umbrella Bamboo (Fargesia murielae)

Many people may not be aware that bamboo belongs to the grass family. Umbrella bamboo, in particular, is a beloved plant that you can find in many homes. Its canopy of evergreen leaves achieves a height of 10-15 feet. 

The clumps form a spectacular screen so you won’t have to worry about unpleasant views and noise in your backyard. Its rich yellow-green canes also add a touch of exotic charm to your landscape.

It does well in zones 3-5, is fast-growing, and non-invasive.

Sylvia Kiragu

Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.

insightweeds.com/

The post 10 Tallest Perennial Grasses for Safety and Privacy appeared first on InsightWeeds.