10 Best Beautiful Tall Grass Plants for Your Yard

At first glance, a lawn with tall grass plants might look overgrown and unkempt. However, these plants offer several benefits for homeowners.

If done well, these longer grass plants can bring beauty and functionality to your yard. Here are ten of the most beautiful species to help transform your landscape:

1. Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana)

This ornamental grass boasts a stunning presence that makes it perfect for any landscape. Growing up to 12 feet high, it’s a drought-resistant species that grows in well-drained, dry to medium moisture soils.

Pampas grass blooms in summer through fall and is a perennial that requires minimal maintenance to thrive. Keep in mind that Pampas grass is invasive in many Midwest states, so proper containment is advised.

2. Zebra Grass (Miscanthus sinensis “Zebrinus”)

This perennial ornamental grass features beautiful foliage that transitions from a rich gold color in the summer and fall to a soft caramel hue over the winter.

Zebra grass resists diseases and pests well, reaches up to seven feet at maturity, and prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Like Pampas grass, Miscanthus species are also considered invasive in parts of the Midwest.

3. Red Rays Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum “Red Rays”)

Red Rays is a hardy, low-maintenance grass that begins green before developing striking red streaks in late summer.

It thrives in a wide range of climates and soil conditions, making it an excellent choice for most homeowners.

4. Morning Light Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis “Morning Light”)

Morning light stands out for its arching grass blades and delicate foliage that add texture and the illusion of movement to your yard.

The plant blooms in the late summer and fall, and thrives in average to moist soil conditions. It’s also a pet-friendly grass species.

5. Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)

Growing up to six feet high with a spread of about three feet, this North American native plant adapts to various soil conditions and becomes fairly drought tolerant when well established.

It develops a bluish-green hue in the spring and summer, making it one of the best ornamental tall grass species around.

6. New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax)

New Zealand flax features broad, strap-like leaves, making it excellent for privacy screening in your landscape.

Growing up to 12 feet high, it thrives best in medium to rich, moist, and well-drained soils. This plant is not cold-hardy in most Midwest regions, so is you like it, winter protection or container planting is your best bet.

7. River Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)

River oats naturally thrive in coastal areas with moist, fertile soil. They have pendulous oat-like seed clusters that dangle from their delicate stems.

River oats start green in summer before turning golden tan in fall and winter, forming dense clumps up to five feet tall.

8. Purple Millet (Pennisetum glaucum)

This annual grass features striking purple flowers and burgundy foliage, which, with its broad leaves, stand out beautifully in any yard.

This grass thrives in well-drained soil and can reach heights of up to five feet.

9. Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora “Eldorado”)

Feather reed grass features gold midribs and grows in sturdy, upright clumps that are both versatile and low-maintenance. The gold-tinted flowers form in early summer, adding an extra inch to their height. 

While they can grow in clayey, loamy, or sandy soil conditions, they perform best in moist, well-drained soil.

Why You Should Use Tall Grass Plants in Your Landscape

While shorter grasses are the landscape darling of most homeowners, favored for their suitability in rock gardens and border fronts, tall grass plants have their advantages:

1. Privacy

If you’re tired of having your neighbors peering into your backyard or are looking for a natural shield for your outdoor space, tall ornamental grass plants provide functionality and aesthetics.

By planting tall grasses in large groups in your yard, you can screen the space from unfriendly eyes and block off unsightly sections of your property. For best results, use species like miscanthus and big bluestem, both of which can grow as high as six feet in full bloom

2. Promoting Ecodiversity

Growing tall grass plants in your yard increases the biodiversity of the space. As a great host for wildlife, it supports the thriving of bees, caterpillars, moths, birds, hedgehogs, and other animals crucial to the ecosystem.

As a mini-jungle, the base of the growth is moist and sheltered, offering sanctuary to smaller animals from their natural predators. 

3. Supports Pollination

With several food crops and ornamental plant species reliant on the work of pollinators like butterflies, moths, bats, beetles, and bees, planting tall grasses is a way to ensure their sustainability.

The longer grasses support these pollinators, especially with regard to seed-producing plants and flowers. 

4. Weed and Pest Control

Tall grasses grow dense, competing with potential weeds for space and shade, reducing the amount of sunlight that weeds need to thrive. Their root systems equally compete with weeds for water and soil nutrients.

Tall grasses also help with pest control by attracting ladybugs, spiders, and ground beetles that prey on common pests like grubs and aphids. 

Let Your Landscape Stand Tall!

Adding tall grass plants to your landscape adds a lot of character, versatility, and functionality to the space, mimicking the rustic feel of the wild. 

By using the right ornamental plant species, you can transform your space into a virtual paradise that’ll be the envy of your neighbors.

Let Sunco Lawn help you find the best tall grass plants for your aesthetics, biodiversity, and privacy needs. Get a quote today!