Ornamental grasses are versatile and easy-to-grow plants that can enhance any landscape. Known for their graceful and natural aesthetic, these grasses come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, making them an excellent choice for many types of gardens.
Ornamental grasses are typically used to add texture and movement, especially in areas with little to no flowers or other vibrant plants. They are prized for their airiness, flowing appearance, and for the ability to catch and reflect light in a unique way.
Among these grasses, the tallest ornamental grasses stand out because of their ability to provide structure and height to a garden, serving as visual anchors. They can be used to create bold statement pieces or to soften the edges of taller structures such as fences and walls.
Why Choose Tall Ornamental Grasses?
Tall ornamental grasses bring numerous benefits to a garden. Here’s why they are worth considering:
1. Height and Structure
Tall grasses provide significant height to a garden, making them perfect for creating a sense of vertical space. Whether you’re trying to hide an unsightly fence or add height behind shorter plants, tall ornamental grasses can fill the space beautifully.
2. Year-Round Interest
These grasses often change with the seasons, offering interest year-round. In the spring and summer, they grow lush and full, while in the fall, many species turn golden or reddish-brown, offering a dramatic effect. Even in the winter, their seed heads and the dried stems can add texture and form.
3. Low Maintenance
Once established, tall ornamental grasses are generally low-maintenance. Many are drought-tolerant, pest-resistant, and require little to no fertilizer. They are also great for erosion control, especially in areas with heavy rainfall or near water features.
4. Wildlife-Friendly
Tall grasses provide shelter and food for various wildlife. Birds, in particular, love the seeds produced by many species of ornamental grasses. Some grasses even provide nesting sites for smaller animals and insects, contributing to a healthier, more biodiverse garden.
5. Privacy and Screening
Taller ornamental grasses are perfect for creating natural privacy screens or windbreaks. Their dense growth provides a level of privacy without the need for solid fencing, and the breeze that flows through the blades creates a soothing, calming sound.
Top Tall Ornamental Grasses for Your Garden
Now that you understand the value of tall ornamental grasses, let’s explore some of the best varieties you can grow in your garden. These grasses range from native species to more exotic varieties, but all of them offer exceptional height, beauty, and functionality.
1. Miscanthus sinensis (Maiden Grass)
Height: 4–10 feet
Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Hardiness Zones: 5–9
Miscanthus sinensis, commonly known as Maiden Grass, is one of the most popular ornamental grasses due to its impressive height, graceful arching stems, and airy plumes. It is especially loved for its versatility, thriving in various soil types and offering stunning fall foliage. Maiden Grass can reach heights between 4 and 10 feet, depending on the cultivar and growing conditions, making it ideal for creating tall, dense plantings in any garden.
Key Features:
- Growth Habit: The plant produces narrow, arching blades of silvery-green foliage that add soft texture to your landscape. Its foliage grows in clumps and forms a fountain-like shape. By late summer, feathery plumes emerge, turning a silvery-pink and later fading to a golden or reddish-brown as fall progresses.
- Fall Color: The reddish-brown plumes in the fall offer an exceptional display of color and texture, making this grass a focal point throughout the colder months.
- Growing Conditions: Maiden Grass thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is tolerant of a range of soil types but performs best in fertile, moist conditions. It is drought-tolerant once established but should be watered regularly during its first growing season to ensure strong root development.
- Uses: Ideal for large landscapes, privacy screens, or as a background plant for other flowers and shrubs.
2. Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)
Height: 3–7 feet
Bloom Time: Late summer to early fall
Hardiness Zones: 4–9
Panicum virgatum, also known as Switchgrass, is a native North American grass that is especially popular for its upright, graceful form and adaptability to various environments. This grass grows from 3 to 7 feet in height and features slender, airy seed heads that sway in the wind, creating movement and texture in your garden.
Key Features:
- Growth Habit: The grass has narrow, blue-green blades that grow in clumps. In the late summer, it produces airy, cloud-like seed heads that float above the foliage. These seed heads add movement and texture, making them highly attractive.
- Fall Color: As the season progresses, the foliage turns from green to vibrant shades of golden-yellow or red, offering a colorful backdrop to other garden plants.
- Wildlife Value: The seed heads are especially attractive to birds, providing food throughout the fall and winter months.
- Growing Conditions: Switchgrass is highly adaptable to different soil types and is drought-tolerant once established. It grows best in full sun but can also tolerate partial shade, making it versatile for many garden settings.
- Uses: Great for creating natural-looking meadows, adding height to a flower border, or planting along water features.
3. Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass)
Height: 3–7 feet
Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Hardiness Zones: 4–9
Sorghastrum nutans, known as Indiangrass, is a native species that grows upright, reaching up to 7 feet in height. It has narrow, bright green leaves and produces striking golden-yellow seed heads that add a pop of color to the landscape, especially in the fall.
Key Features:
- Growth Habit: Indiangrass grows in upright clumps with fine, narrow leaves. In late summer, the grass produces tall seed heads that are golden-yellow, creating a visually striking contrast with the foliage.
- Fall Color: As the season shifts, the foliage turns brilliant shades of red and bronze, offering a beautiful autumn display.
- Drought Tolerance: This grass is drought-tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens or xeriscaping.
- Growing Conditions: Indiangrass prefers well-drained, fertile soil and full sun. It is highly adaptable to various soil conditions and is a great choice for prairies and meadows.
- Uses: Perfect for naturalistic landscapes, prairie-style gardens, or creating a dramatic background for smaller plants.
4. Calamagrostis x acutiflora (Feather Reed Grass)
Height: 4–6 feet
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Hardiness Zones: 4–9
Calamagrostis x acutiflora, commonly known as Feather Reed Grass, is a compact ornamental grass that offers vertical growth and feathery plumes that bloom in late spring to early summer. It reaches heights between 4 and 6 feet and is known for its elegance and upright form.
Key Features:
- Growth Habit: Feather Reed Grass has narrow, arching green leaves that form a stiff, upright clump. Its feathery plumes appear in late spring and can persist into the fall, providing visual interest throughout the season.
- Plume Color: The plumes are soft, airy, and silvery, adding a light, ethereal quality to the garden.
- Fall Color: In the fall, the plumes turn golden, offering a beautiful display of color that contrasts nicely with the foliage.
- Growing Conditions: This grass prefers moist, well-drained soil and grows best in full sun, although it can tolerate partial shade. It is more tolerant of wet soils than other ornamental grasses, making it ideal for rain gardens or areas with poor drainage.
- Uses: Excellent for creating formal or informal plantings, mass plantings, or along water features.
5. Arundo donax (Giant Reed)
Height: 10–15 feet
Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Hardiness Zones: 6–9
Arundo donax, commonly known as Giant Reed, is one of the tallest ornamental grasses, reaching up to 15 feet in height. With its bamboo-like stems and large, feathery plumes, this grass adds a tropical, dramatic look to any landscape.
Key Features:
- Growth Habit: Giant Reed features tall, thick bamboo-like stems that give it a bold, architectural look. Its feathery plumes are massive and can create a striking visual display.
- Fall Color: The plant’s plumes turn a warm golden color in the fall, while the stems may fade to a light brown.
- Invasiveness: While it’s a fast grower and a striking addition to a garden, Giant Reed can become invasive in some areas. It’s important to manage its growth to prevent it from taking over other parts of your garden.
- Growing Conditions: This grass thrives in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. It needs plenty of space to grow due to its size and rapid growth rate.
- Uses: Perfect for large landscapes or areas where you need tall, dramatic plants. Ideal for creating privacy screens, windbreaks, or as a feature plant in tropical or Mediterranean-style gardens.
6. Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem)
Height: 5–8 feet
Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Hardiness Zones: 4–9
Andropogon gerardii, or Big Bluestem, is a native prairie grass that is well-known for its tall, upright growth and striking blue-green foliage. Reaching heights of 5 to 8 feet, Big Bluestem creates a natural, sweeping effect in the garden and is ideal for meadow-style plantings.
Key Features:
- Growth Habit: This grass forms upright clumps with narrow, bluish-green leaves that add texture to the landscape. The plant has a slightly arching growth habit and produces tall seed heads that add vertical interest.
- Fall Color: As the season transitions, the foliage turns shades of reddish-bronze, providing stunning fall color.
- Drought Tolerance: Big Bluestem is drought-tolerant once established, making it ideal for low-water gardens or xeriscaping.
- Growing Conditions: This grass thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s well-suited to prairie-style gardens or native plantings.
- Uses: Excellent for creating naturalistic plantings or as a feature grass in meadows, prairies, or wildflower gardens.
7. Chasmanthium latifolium (Northern Sea Oats)
Height: 3–4 feet
Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Hardiness Zones: 5–9
Chasmanthium latifolium, known as Northern Sea Oats, is a charming ornamental grass with arching stems and unique flattened seed heads that resemble oats. While it’s not as tall as the other grasses in this list, growing only up to 4 feet, its graceful form and distinctive seed heads make it a valuable addition to your garden.
Key Features:
- Growth Habit: The grass has a clumping, arching form and produces seed heads that sway in the wind, giving it an airy, soft appearance. The flattened seed heads are particularly striking, resembling oats and adding texture to the landscape.
- Fall Color: Northern Sea Oats offers beautiful fall color, with the seed heads turning golden-brown and the foliage taking on warm tones.
- Growing Conditions: It grows well in both sun and shade, making it ideal for areas with less light. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate both wet and dry conditions once established.
- Uses: Perfect for adding texture and movement in the front or middle of borders, around ponds, or in woodland settings.
These tall ornamental grasses not only enhance your garden’s visual appeal but also provide habitat for wildlife, including birds and insects. By selecting the right varieties and pairing them with complementary plants, you can create a diverse and sustainable garden that’s both beautiful and functional.
Designing with Tall Ornamental Grasses
Incorporating tall ornamental grasses into your garden design is easy with the right planning. Here are a few tips for designing with these striking plants:
1. Use as Focal Points
Tall grasses make excellent focal points in any garden. Plant them in the center of your landscape or in the background to draw the eye upward and create a sense of vertical space. Their striking plumes and upright growth will naturally attract attention.
2. Create Privacy Screens
Tall grasses are perfect for creating natural privacy screens. Use them along fences or property lines to create a barrier that is not only functional but also beautiful. Their soft, swaying movements in the wind will provide both privacy and soothing sounds.
3. Combine with Flowering Plants
Tall grasses pair beautifully with flowering plants. The airy foliage and graceful plumes of grasses provide a perfect contrast to the vibrant colors of flowers. Plant them around the base of flowering shrubs or perennials to create depth and visual interest.
4. Plant in Groups
For a dramatic effect, plant tall grasses in groups or clumps. This creates a dense, lush display that will fill the space and provide texture and movement. Grouping grasses together also helps to highlight their unique forms and colors.
Caring for Tall Ornamental Grasses
While tall ornamental grasses are generally low-maintenance, they do require some care to thrive. Here’s how to keep them looking their best:
1. Planting Tips
Plant tall ornamental grasses in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight. Ensure that the soil has good drainage to prevent waterlogging. Space the plants according to their mature size, allowing enough room for growth.
2. Watering and Fertilizing
Water the grasses deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Once established, many tall grasses are drought-tolerant. Use a slow-release fertilizer in the spring to promote healthy growth.
3. Pruning and Cutting Back
Prune grasses back in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Cut the foliage down to about 6 inches above the ground. This will help remove dead growth and promote fresh, healthy growth.
Companion Plants for Tall Ornamental Grasses
Tall ornamental grasses can create a stunning focal point in the garden with their height, movement, and texture. Pairing them with complementary plants enhances their visual appeal and creates a balanced, dynamic landscape. Here are some companion plants that work beautifully with tall grasses:
Perennials:
- Echinacea (Coneflower): With their bright daisy-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white, Echinacea adds color and contrast against the wispy texture of tall grasses. They also attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, which can further enhance the garden’s ecosystem.
- Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): These cheerful yellow flowers with dark centers are a classic pairing for tall grasses. They offer a warm color contrast and are low-maintenance, thriving in similar growing conditions.
- Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan): A great addition, Rudbeckia brings vibrant yellow or orange blooms that complement the delicate and feathery appearance of ornamental grasses. They are drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, making them ideal companions for grasses in sunny areas.
Flowering Shrubs:
- Hydrangeas: Their large, globe-like blooms in shades of blue, pink, or white make a stunning contrast against the airy structure of tall grasses. Hydrangeas can add a soft, romantic touch to the garden, especially in shaded or part-sun areas, while grasses thrive in full sun.
- Butterfly Bush (Buddleja): Known for its fragrant, colorful spikes of flowers that attract butterflies, Butterfly Bush pairs beautifully with tall grasses, creating a lively, pollinator-friendly garden. The vertical growth habit of both plants works well together in border or mass plantings.
- Lavender: The aromatic, purple flower spikes of lavender complement the graceful movement of ornamental grasses. Lavender prefers similar growing conditions—sunny, well-drained soil—and together they create a calming and fragrant garden space.
Ground Covers:
- Creeping Thyme: A low-growing, fragrant herb that forms a dense mat of tiny flowers, creeping thyme adds texture and color at the base of tall grasses. It’s drought-tolerant, attracts pollinators, and works well in rock gardens or as a path edge.
- Sedum: Also known as “autumn joy,” Sedum’s succulent leaves and star-like flowers create a contrast in texture and color with tall grasses. It’s drought-tolerant and easy to maintain, thriving in the same well-drained, sunny conditions as many ornamental grasses.
- Hostas: Ideal for shaded or partially shaded areas, Hostas provide a contrasting foliage texture to the vertical blades of grasses. With their lush, large leaves, they create a pleasing contrast to the fine-textured grass and fill out the lower levels of the garden.
Common Problems and Solutions for Tall Ornamental Grasses
While tall ornamental grasses are generally hardy and easy to grow, there are a few common issues to be aware of. Here are some challenges and how to address them:
Pests:
- Aphids: These small insects can congregate on the new growth of ornamental grasses, causing curling, discoloration, and stunted growth. To manage aphids, you can introduce natural predators like ladybugs or use insecticidal soap or neem oil as an eco-friendly option.
- Grasshoppers: Grasshoppers can sometimes cause damage by feeding on the blades of grasses. They are especially problematic in dry areas. A solution is to apply insecticidal soap or to use physical barriers like netting to keep grasshoppers away. Additionally, encouraging birds that prey on grasshoppers can help control their population.
Disease:
- Fungal Diseases (like Mildew or Rust): Tall grasses, particularly those grown in areas with poor air circulation or high humidity, are susceptible to fungal infections such as powdery mildew or rust. To prevent these issues, make sure the grasses have enough space for good airflow. Water at the base of the plants, rather than overhead, to avoid wetting the foliage. For an active infection, removing affected leaves and treating with fungicide may be necessary.
- Rust: Rust is another common fungal disease that can cause orange or red pustules to appear on grass blades. Infected leaves should be trimmed and discarded, and a fungicide may be needed if the disease persists.
Invasiveness:
Giant Reed (Arundo donax): Some species of ornamental grasses, particularly those that are fast-growing or spread aggressively, can become invasive. Giant Reed is a well-known example that can easily outcompete native plants if not properly managed. To prevent invasiveness, plant these species in contained areas like large pots or use physical barriers (e.g., buried edging) to prevent the roots from spreading. Regularly monitor the plant’s growth and remove any unwanted shoots that emerge outside the intended planting area.
Why Tall Ornamental Grasses Are a Must-Have for Your Landscape
Tall ornamental grasses offer a wealth of benefits, from adding height and structure to your garden to providing seasonal interest and wildlife habitat. Whether used as a privacy screen, a focal point, or a backdrop for other plants, these grasses are an excellent addition to any landscape.
With the right care and selection, you can enjoy the beauty and elegance of tall ornamental grasses in your garden year-round. Their versatility, low maintenance, and ability to thrive in a range of conditions make them a favorite among gardeners. So, if you’re looking to enhance your landscape, consider adding some of the tallest ornamental grasses to your plant list and watch your garden come to life.