Every backyard deserves a sense of seclusion—whether you’re lounging with a book, enjoying a morning coffee, or hosting a barbecue. However, traditional fencing isn’t always ideal. It can be expensive, block airflow, and clash with your garden’s aesthetics. Plus, shrubs may take years to grow large enough to form an effective barrier.
Surprisingly, ornamental grasses are the secret to soft, breezy, and quick-growing privacy. These tall beauties don’t just create privacy screens—they add movement, texture, and color to your landscape. With the right selection, you can enjoy fast results and a showstopping natural border.
In this article, we’ve rounded up 14 of the best tall ornamental grasses for creating privacy in your backyard. Whether you’re after something dramatic and tropical or subtle and low-maintenance, you’ll find the perfect option to transform your space.
Why Choose Tall Ornamental Grasses for Privacy?
Ornamental grasses offer a natural, low-fuss alternative to wood fences or high-maintenance hedges. Their tall, flowing blades and feathery plumes create beautiful visual screens that sway in the breeze and soften hard edges. They can reach heights of 4 to 14 feet, depending on the species—ideal for concealing patios, decks, or property lines.
These grasses are also beloved for their resilience. Many are drought-tolerant, pest-resistant, and adaptable to various soil conditions. Once established, they require very little care compared to woody shrubs or climbers. You’ll rarely need to fertilize or water them regularly, and most varieties only require cutting back once per year.
Beyond functionality, tall grasses elevate your landscape with their texture, movement, and seasonal interest. Some species offer colorful foliage, unique seed heads, and even winter structure. They’re the ultimate multitaskers—providing privacy and beauty all year round.
14 Best Tall Ornamental Grasses for Privacy
1. Miscanthus sinensis (Maiden Grass)
Maiden Grass is a favorite among landscapers for its soft, fountain-like shape and feathery plumes that appear in late summer. It grows up to 6–8 feet tall, with narrow green leaves that often develop bronze or reddish hues in fall. The tall flower spikes catch sunlight beautifully and last into winter.
This clump-forming grass is ideal for creating informal, flowing screens. Plant it in a row along fences or property edges for a swaying wall of privacy. Its elegant form adds movement and charm, making it a fantastic backdrop for flower beds or seating areas.
Maiden Grass grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s a fast grower once established and requires minimal care beyond an annual trim in late winter or early spring. Use it alone or blend it with shorter grasses and perennials for layered visual interest.
2. Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)
Native to North America, Switchgrass is a hardy, upright grass that brings strong vertical presence to the garden. It typically grows 5–7 feet tall and is known for its tidy form and airy flower panicles that float above the foliage. Varieties like ‘Northwind’ are particularly upright and ideal for privacy screens.
Switchgrass is both beautiful and resilient. It tolerates heat, drought, clay soil, and even flooding, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of climates. The foliage turns shades of gold, orange, and burgundy in autumn, extending its seasonal interest well beyond summer.
For privacy, plant Switchgrass in a dense row or staggered pattern. It works well in native or meadow-style gardens and pairs beautifully with wildflowers. Since it’s clump-forming, you don’t have to worry about it spreading aggressively.
3. Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ (Feather Reed Grass)
‘Karl Foerster’ Feather Reed Grass is one of the most popular vertical grasses for narrow spaces. It grows 5–6 feet tall and just 2 feet wide, making it ideal for tight spots where space is limited but privacy is needed. The upright form holds strong even in wind and rain.
In early summer, it produces golden, feathery plumes that rise above the foliage and remain attractive into winter. Its architectural structure is perfect for modern landscapes or formal borders. Because it stays in a tight clump, it’s a great option for lining pathways or decks.
This cool-season grass grows quickly and performs best in full sun with moderate watering. Cut it back in early spring to encourage fresh growth. ‘Karl Foerster’ is a low-maintenance solution that adds height, texture, and privacy with style.
4. Arundo donax (Giant Reed Grass)
If you want drama and height fast, Arundo donax delivers. This towering grass can grow up to 14 feet tall in just one season, forming a bold, tropical-style privacy screen. Its broad, bamboo-like leaves and strong canes make it look more like a cane plant than traditional ornamental grass.
Giant Reed is especially striking when planted in large masses or as a bold accent along fences or backyards with wide open spaces. It provides excellent noise and wind buffering, and its fast growth makes it ideal for instant screening.
However, Arundo donax can be invasive in some regions. Choose sterile or controlled cultivars, and always check local guidelines. With proper containment, it’s an impressive privacy option that transforms bland spaces into lush retreats.
5. Saccharum ravennae (Hardy Pampas Grass / Ravenna Grass)
Ravenna Grass is a cold-hardy alternative to tropical Pampas Grass, offering similar height and showiness. It grows up to 12 feet tall with striking silver plumes that appear in late summer. Its strong, vertical form creates an impressive, almost architectural privacy screen.
This grass works beautifully in large backyards where you want to define spaces or shield areas like pools or patios. In fall, the foliage turns rich bronze tones, while the dried plumes hold their shape through winter, providing off-season interest.
Ravenna Grass thrives in full sun and tolerates drought and poor soils once established. Cut it back in late winter to encourage fresh spring growth. Its towering form and feathery texture make it a favorite for dramatic, low-maintenance privacy.
6. Cortaderia selloana (Pampas Grass)
Cortaderia selloana, commonly known as Pampas Grass, is iconic for its huge, fluffy plumes and dramatic presence. It grows 8–12 feet tall and spreads widely with arching, sword-like leaves. It creates a dense, impenetrable barrier—perfect for blocking out nosy neighbors.
In late summer, it produces large, silky plumes in shades of white or pink that last through winter. These plumes catch the light and add softness to its bold structure. Pampas Grass also creates sound-dampening foliage that rustles in the breeze.
Plant Pampas Grass in full sun with well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant but can become invasive in some warm regions, so check local guidelines or choose sterile cultivars. Trim it back in early spring and handle with care—its leaves have sharp edges.
7. Miscanthus giganteus (Giant Miscanthus)
Giant Miscanthus is a super-charged privacy solution, often growing over 12 feet tall within a single growing season. Its thick stems and tall, arching leaves create a natural wall that’s both functional and beautiful. It also produces feathery flower plumes in late summer.
This grass is often used in agricultural settings as a biomass crop, but homeowners love it for its quick growth and bold screening abilities. Plant it in a row for an instant living fence or use it to hide unsightly views like sheds or utility areas.
It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and is not considered invasive. Cut back to the ground in late winter. With its commanding height and robust foliage, Giant Miscanthus offers one of the fastest and most effective privacy solutions available.
8. Molinia arundinacea (Tall Moor Grass)
Tall Moor Grass brings a graceful, airy presence to any garden and is ideal for softening privacy barriers. Growing up to 6 feet tall, it features arching foliage with tall, see-through flower spikes that shimmer in the breeze. Its subtle beauty is perfect for naturalistic or cottage-style landscapes.
This grass doesn’t form a dense wall like some others, but its movement and height make it ideal for breaking up sightlines and adding visual layers. In fall, the foliage turns golden-yellow, extending its interest into the colder months. It’s a great option when you want privacy without blocking too much light or air.
Molinia thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Though it’s not as fast-growing as others, it makes up for it in elegance and adaptability. Use it in mass plantings or as a backdrop to perennials for texture-rich borders.
9. Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)
Little Bluestem is a native prairie grass that offers modest height—typically 3 to 4 feet—but makes an excellent privacy option when layered with taller grasses or in mixed plantings. Its striking blue-green summer foliage transforms into vibrant shades of orange, red, and purple in fall.
While it’s not the tallest on this list, Little Bluestem adds volume and seasonal color that complement larger species. It’s clump-forming and doesn’t spread aggressively, making it a reliable, tidy choice for smaller yards or natural-style borders.
This grass is incredibly drought-tolerant and thrives in poor soils. It’s best planted in full sun, where its upright form and colorful display can shine. Add it to a tiered privacy design or use it as a foreground plant to create depth and dimension.
10. Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem)
Big Bluestem, also known as “Turkey Foot” grass, is another native prairie giant that grows up to 8 feet tall in ideal conditions. It forms thick, upright clumps of bluish-green foliage that turns reddish-bronze in autumn, creating a warm seasonal privacy screen.
This hardy, low-maintenance grass is a go-to for large, open landscapes where you want privacy and ecological value. It supports pollinators and provides habitat for wildlife while maintaining a dense, attractive form throughout the growing season.
Big Bluestem prefers full sun and well-drained soil but tolerates drought, clay, and heat. Plant in clusters for a bold effect or mix with other natives like Switchgrass and Coneflower for a wildlife-friendly screen that grows with beauty and purpose.
11. Muhlenbergia capillaris (Pink Muhly Grass)
Pink Muhly Grass is a showstopper, thanks to its airy, cotton-candy pink plumes that appear in late summer and fall. While it tops out around 3 to 4 feet tall, it can still provide effective lower screening or be combined with taller grasses for a layered privacy border.
Its arching, fine-textured foliage forms neat clumps that look stunning even when not in bloom. When the pink plumes appear, they shimmer in sunlight and sway with the wind, creating a magical, dream-like effect in the landscape.
Pink Muhly is drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. It’s excellent for planting along walkways, patios, or in front of fences. If you want privacy with a pop of color and minimal maintenance, this grass is a standout.
12. Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass)
Indiangrass is a tall, native grass with rich golden tones that can reach heights of 6 to 8 feet. Its upright, arching foliage is topped by feathery, bronze-colored seed heads that appear in late summer, offering texture and motion.
This warm-season grass is great for natural privacy borders or screening off utility areas. Its golden fall color adds seasonal drama, and its deep root system helps with erosion control and soil health. It’s also a valuable habitat plant for native insects and birds.
Indiangrass prefers full sun and thrives in poor to average soil. It’s drought-tolerant once established and requires little care beyond a winter cutback. For a screen that’s both functional and ecologically beneficial, this native species is an excellent pick.
13. Chasmanthium latifolium (Northern Sea Oats)
Northern Sea Oats is a unique grass known for its flattened, oat-like seed heads that dangle from arching stems. It grows 3 to 5 feet tall and provides light screening, making it ideal for layering with taller species or creating texture in shady spots.
Unlike most grasses on this list, Northern Sea Oats tolerates partial to full shade, making it a rare solution for private spaces under trees or near buildings. Its seed heads turn golden in fall and remain attractive well into winter, offering extended visual appeal.
This clumping grass grows well in moist, well-drained soil but can adapt to drier conditions. To prevent self-seeding, you may want to cut back the seed heads before they drop. Use it in woodland borders, shade gardens, or anywhere you need softness and movement with a unique twist.
14. Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canary Grass – Controlled Cultivars Only)
Reed Canary Grass is a fast-growing, moisture-loving grass that can reach heights of 6 to 8 feet. It spreads quickly and provides dense coverage, making it effective for creating privacy in large or difficult-to-plant areas like wet soil or ditches.
Because it can be invasive, it’s important to choose sterile or controlled cultivars like ‘Picta’ or grow it in contained spaces. When managed properly, it creates a lush, flowing barrier that’s especially useful in rain gardens or along streambanks.
It thrives in full sun to partial shade and can tolerate flooding and erosion. With its bright green or variegated leaves, Reed Canary Grass adds texture and sound-buffering qualities. Just be sure to monitor its spread to keep it in check.
Design Tips for Using Tall Grasses as Privacy Screens
When designing with ornamental grasses, spacing is key. Most grasses look best when planted in clusters or staggered rows, which create a more natural and layered screen. Be sure to leave enough room for each clump to reach its mature size without overcrowding.
Combining grasses of different heights and textures adds visual interest while enhancing screening ability. Use low grasses like Pink Muhly or Little Bluestem in front of taller ones like Giant Miscanthus or Pampas Grass. This tiered approach also allows more light to filter through and encourages airflow.
For privacy around patios or decks, consider using large containers filled with tall grasses to form movable screens. Choose grasses that offer multi-season interest—from spring foliage to summer plumes and winter seed heads—for beauty and coverage all year long.
Maintenance & Care Guide
Tall ornamental grasses are famously low maintenance, but a few key care steps will keep them looking their best. During the first year, water them regularly until they establish deep root systems. Once mature, many are drought-tolerant and thrive on neglect.
Most grasses benefit from an annual trim. Cut them back to about 6–12 inches above the ground in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. This helps maintain a clean look and encourages healthy regrowth.
Every few years, divide the clumps in spring or fall to control their spread and rejuvenate the plants. Grasses are generally pest- and disease-free, but always research your chosen species to ensure it’s non-invasive in your area and well-suited to your climate zone.
Final Thoughts
Tall ornamental grasses are a versatile, stunning, and low-maintenance way to create natural privacy in your backyard. Whether you want an instant wall of green or a flowing border filled with color and texture, these grasses deliver beauty and function in equal measure.
From towering Miscanthus to dreamy Pink Muhly, the options are endless—and many grow quickly, giving you results in just one season. Mix and match your favorites to design a personalized, nature-inspired screen that evolves through the seasons.
Ready to transform your outdoor space? Visit your local garden center or native plant nursery to explore these grasses and start crafting your private, peaceful backyard retreat today.