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Thanks to their impressive growth forms and striking colors, flowers or stalks, grasses are an important design element with a high ornamental value. Tall grasses are the ideal privacy screen for a wide variety of areas in the garden.

In a nutshell

  • Hardly any other group of plants is as diverse as ornamental grasses
  • whether plain, striped, high or low
  • Depending on the species, they can form screens up to 350 cm high
  • Differentiation into sweet grasses and sour or sedge grasses

Tall sedges/sedge family (Cyperaceae)

In this paragraph you will find some tall growing grasses in alphabetical order.

Types from A - Q

rush edge (cladium mariscus)

Source: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Cladium mariscus kz04, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • arched inclined, expansive, clumpy
  • up to 180 cm tall
  • erect stems, basal tufts of leaves
  • Leaf grey-green, linear to linear-lanceolate, evergreen
  • small light brown flowers from June to August

Sea rush (Bolboschoenus maritimus)

Source: Andrey Zharkikh from Salt Lake City, USA, 2015.08.22 10.23.40 DSC00180 - Flickr - andrey zharkikh, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 2.0
  • deciduous, persistent, herbaceous, runner-forming
  • Height of growth up to 120 cm, rarely 150 cm
  • narrow, very upright to arching culms
  • triangular, leafy, rough above
  • upper leaves green, lower ones brown to black
  • Flowering period June to August, sometimes until October
  • Reddish to black, ovoid to elongated flower spikes

Green bulrush (Schoenoplectus lacustris)

Source: Frank Vincentz, Bochum Langendreer - Ümminger See 11ies, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • fast-growing, rampant, runner-forming, upright
  • between 100 and 250 cm high
  • Leaves green, acuminate, rush-shaped to tubular
  • blooms from June to August
  • single, brown, panicle-shaped flowers
  • swampy to wet locations

Tip: The high-growing grasses of the bulrush are not only a good privacy screen, but can also be used to clean the water.

Types of R - Z

Giant sedge (Carex pendula)

  • upright, overhanging, broadly bushy, clump-forming
  • strong growth, hardy
  • Growth heights of 100-120 cm
  • Leaves dark green, strap-like to ribbon-like, shiny, pointed
  • Flowering time June to July

Slender sedge (Carex acuta)

Source: AnRo0002, 20150428Carex acuta6, edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
  • perennial, herbaceous, runner-forming grass species,
  • up to 150 cm high
  • green, strap-like to ribbon-like leaves
  • simple, greenish, spike-shaped flowers from April to June
  • for swampy locations and water depths up to 10 cm

Marsh sedge (Carex acutiformis)

  • particularly vigorous aquatic plant
  • for water depths up to 10 cm and swampy locations
  • runner-forming, arching, up to 120 cm tall
  • grassy, entire, acuminate leaves
  • upright, greenish, panicle-shaped inflorescences from May to June

Shore sedge (Carex riparia)

Source: Hugues TINGUY, Carex riparia inflorescens (07), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.0 FR
  • various-year-old sedge
  • up to 120 cm high, rarely up to 200 cm
  • erect, sharply triangular stems, rough above
  • grey-green, grassy, rigid, acuminate leaves
  • black paniculate inflorescences from May to June
  • for standing and slow-flowing waters

Grasses from the real or sweet grass family (Poaceae)

There are also some high-growing grasses in the sweet grass family that are perfect as privacy screens.

Types from A - F

Bearded Grass 'Prairie Summer' (Andropogon gerardii)

Source: Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA, Andropogon gerardii (3904160434), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • clumpy, arching, erect, tufted leaves at the base
  • Growth heights of 140-160 cm
  • brown-green, strap-like to ribbon-like foliage, reddish-brown in autumn
  • Flowering period August to September
  • for dry to slightly damp locations

Bluish switchgrass 'Heavy Metal' (Panicum virgatum)

Source: Photo by David J. Stang, Panicum virgatum Shenandoah 10zz, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • tightly upright, clump-forming growth
  • up to 120 cm high
  • attractive grey-blue foliage, yellow autumn colours
  • dainty, brownish panicles of flowers from July to September
  • Cut back in spring

Broadleaf bulrush (Typha latifolia)

  • impressive pond plant, 130-150 cm
  • strong, upright growth, forming runners
  • broad, strap-like to ribbon-like foliage
  • Flowering time July to August
  • showy inflorescences, black-brown spadix

Chinese reed 'Far East' (Miscanthus sinensis)

Source: Schnobby, Far East 2, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Clumpy, upright growth, up to 160 cm tall
  • green, strap-like thin foliage
  • intense reddish autumn colour
  • spike-like inflorescences from September to October
  • initially brown, later silvery-white

Chinese reed 'Federweißer' (Miscanthus sinensis)

  • arching upright growth, up to 180 cm high
  • medium green leaf color, strap-like, ribbon-like
  • Flowering from early July to late October
  • very loose, paniculate, yellowish-white to brown inflorescences
  • full sun, very frost hardy

Fine Chinese reed 'Gracillimus' (Miscanthus sinensis)

Source: Photo by David J. Stang, Miscanthus sinensis Gracillimus 2zz, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • upright, spreading, bushy, overhanging, clump-forming
  • Growth heights of 130-150 cm
  • green, grassy, narrow leaves
  • blooms from September to October
  • single, spike-shaped, reddish or white-silvery flowers
  • long-lasting fruit decoration

Types of G - O

Garden bamboo 'Deichstraße' (Fargesia murielae)

  • Upright growing species, 300-400 cm tall
  • requires less space than overhanging varieties
  • green, oblong, pointed leaves
  • no flowering or fruit formation
  • ideal location near the water

Reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora) 'Karl Foerster'

  • erect and dense flower stalks
  • between 100 and 150 cm high
  • Flowering from July to August
  • simple, yellow-brown, narrow panicles
  • no pruning in autumn

Common reed (Phragmites australis ssp. australis)

Source: AnRo0002, 20221006Phragmites australis1, edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
  • strong growth, upright, forming rhizomes
  • Growth heights of 200-280 cm
  • blue-green, narrow, ribbon-shaped, entire leaves
  • blooms from August to September
  • Flowers reddish-brown, in panicles
  • for water depths up to 80 cm

Tall Chinese reed (Miscanthus sinensis 'Silberfeder')

  • broadly bushy, upright, forms dense clumps
  • reaches heights of 200-220 cm
  • Leaves arched, spreading
  • simple, spike-shaped flowers from August to October
  • initially reddish, later white-silvery

Types of P - R

Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana)

Pampas grass variety 'Evita'
  • upright, arching, forms imposing clumps
  • between 90 and 250 cm high
  • grey-green, strap-like to ribbon-like leaves
  • blooms from September to October
  • single, spike-shaped, silvery-white flowers

giant reed (Arundo donax)

Source: Harry Rose from South West Rocks, Australia, Arundo donax habit9 (6971244956) (2), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 2.0
  • reed-like, stiffly upright, arched
  • about 300-400 cm high
  • yellow-green to grey-green leaves with longitudinal stripes
  • from July to August, delicate white paniculate inflorescences
  • Winter protection recommended

Tip: Due to the strong urge to spread of these high-growing grasses, the introduction of a rhizome barrier is recommended.

Giant Chinese reed (Miscanthus giganteus)

  • impressive growth, perfect privacy protection
  • optical highlight at the pond
  • erect stem, arching sloping leaves
  • Flowering period September to October
  • simple, spike-shaped, brownish inflorescences

Giant feather grass (Stipa gigantea)

  • upright, arching, dense clumps
  • inflorescences 150-180 cm high
  • Leaf clumps up to 40 cm high
  • grassy, pointed grey-green leaves
  • Inflorescences golden yellow, in panicles, from June to August
  • Infructescences remain for a long time

Reed moor grass (Molinia arundinacea)

Source: Stefan.lefnaer, Molinia arundinacea sl1, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • native grass, growth height between 120 and 240 cm
  • erect, clump-forming, tuft-like, erect culms
  • narrow, overhanging, late emerging leaves
  • brown-yellow autumn colour
  • from July to September simple, yellowish-brown, panicle-shaped flowers

Types from S - Z

Column switchgrass 'Northwind' (Panicum virgatum)

Source: Jebulon, Panicum virgatum JdP, edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
  • tightly upright, clump-forming growth
  • Growth heights of 170-180 cm
  • Foliage blue-green, linear, acuminate, coarse
  • yellow autumn colour
  • from July to September brown paniculate inflorescences

Silver Flag Grass (Miscanthus sacchariflorus)

  • upright, dense, rhizome-forming growth
  • up to 130 cm partly 170 cm high
  • Leaves medium green, reddish-brown in autumn
  • panicles of silvery-white flowers from September to November
  • Rhizome barrier recommended

Porcupine grass 'Strictus' (Miscanthus sinensis)

Source: Schnobby, Zebra grass 2, edited from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • stiffly upright, forming dense clumps
  • between 130 and 150 cm high
  • horizontally striped green-yellow, broadly linear leaves
  • Cross stripes not yet visible when sprouting
  • Flowers from September to October, brown, in panicles

Tight Millet 'Strictum' (Panicum virgatum)

  • vigorous, compact, clumpy, up to 180 cm high
  • erect, leafy flower stalks
  • Leaves narrow, overhanging, linear, coarse, acuminate
  • blooms from July to September
  • single, brownish-green, panicle-shaped flowers

Zebra grass 'Zebrinus' (Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus')

  • filigree look with Far Eastern flair
  • between 140 and 160 cm high
  • Leaves with distinctive yellow or white horizontal stripes
  • arching, deciduous
  • Flowering period August to October
  • does not bloom every year
  • Flowers simple, spike-shaped, white-silvery

Tip: The zebra grass likes to stand by ponds. The high-growing grasses also come into their own in perennial borders.

Ornamental grass 'Indian Summer' (Miscanthus sinensis)

  • very effective ornamental grass
  • upright, arching, overhanging, up to 15 cm high
  • dark green-reddish summer foliage
  • bright orange-red in autumn
  • delicately feathered, creamy-white flower fronds in summer

Roughgrass 'West Lake' (Spodiopogon sibiricus)

Source: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Spodiopogon sibiricus kz03, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • grows in clumps, bushy, upright, up to 150 cm high
  • short green, bamboo-like leaves
  • beautiful yellow and reddish fall colors
  • Flowering period from July to September
  • filigree, purplish-violet inflorescences
  • fresh to moist locations

frequently asked Questions

When and how do grasses need to be trimmed?

While deciduous grasses should be cut back in early spring, evergreens should be cut back at the end of winter. Always cut back to the base.

When is the best time to plant grasses?

It is best to plant them in spring or autumn. In principle, however, grasses can be planted all year round, provided the ground is frost-free.

What is the difference between sweet and sour grasses?

The stalks of sour grasses are triangular, pulpy and have no knots. In contrast, in sweet grasses they are round and hollow with nodes. While many sweet grasses belong to the forage grasses, this is not the case with sour grasses, they are predominantly representatives of swamp vegetation.

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Vegetable garden