skip to main content

Ornamental Grass

tall annual grass for screen in zone 5

14 years ago

I need to do some spot screening of the road and neighbors in 4 spots in my very traditional style and smallish yard. I've not used grasses anywhere. I want to be careful about incorporating them into my old fashioned style garden. I don't want them to stick out like a sore thumb. (I have lilacs, peonies, delphinium, iris.) My house is a large victorian, but the yard is small

I say annual to avoid the spread/dividing issue. (I just wrestled two huge siberian irises out of the garden yesterday!!)

I'd like something 5-8' tall. I did see the great Chicago photo of the P. Prince, but how long would it take to reach this size? I can link to some photos of the yard if that would help.

TIA for any ideas

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

donn_
13 years ago
5-8' from an annual ornamental grass in your zone won't be easy to accomplish. You might do better with a well-contained perennial grass, like Panicum virgatum or Miscanthus. If you constrain these grasses with root barriers, you can control their spread for some years, although eventually, division will be required.

There are annual meadow grasses which can reach these heights in a season, but many of them can self-seed rather easily.
marthacr
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for replying, Donn

I understand the root barrier method, but my "soil" isn't deep enough for that, I don't believe. I guess I'll have to consider something else.
Related Professionals
Tempe Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Richmond Heights Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Frisco Landscape Contractors · Stoughton Landscape Contractors · Dallas Landscape Contractors · Fort Atkinson Landscape Contractors · Richmond Landscape Contractors · Seymour Landscape Contractors · Whitehall Landscape Contractors · Pinellas Park Solar Energy Systems · Bloomington General Contractors · Greenville General Contractors · Pepper Pike General Contractors · Ravenna General Contractors · Valley Station General Contractors

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Superstar Annuals for Containers and Baskets

High performing, low maintenance and all-around gorgeous, these container plants go the distance while you sit back and relax

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Annual Phacelias

By Debbie Ballentine

Coveted by California beekeepers and wildlife gardeners, phacelias are worth planting now for their prolific blue to purple spring blooms

GRASSES 10 Ways to Use Ornamental Grasses in the Landscape

By Laura Gaskill

These low-maintenance plants can add beauty, texture and privacy to any size garden

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 5 Smokin' Warm-Season Grasses

Beat the heat with beautiful grasses that help your landscape shine from summer through fall

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Great Grasses for a New Lawn

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Learn about maintenance, wear tolerance, ideal climate and more for these top turf choices to pick the right one for you

PLANTING IDEAS Create High-Impact Container Gardens With Grasses

By Olander Garden Design

When it comes to adding drama, texture and panache to a pot, these strappy species are hard to beat

URBAN GARDENS In London, a Crowded Patch of Grass Becomes a Patio for Entertaining

A chic combo of wood siding, clever plantings and lots of elegant sandstone transforms a plain garden into a stylish space

KIDS’ SPACES 5 Ideas for a Great Home Learning Zone

By Catherine Funkhouser

Get your child off to a good start this school year with homework areas and strategies that reduce the frenzy

SOUTHWEST GARDENING Tall Cactuses Bring Drama to Southwestern Gardens

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

See how 5 columnar cactuses add a striking design element to warm-weather gardens, courtyards and entries

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Great Plants for Borders and Screens

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Get the effects of a shrub but in less time — and drawing more winged pollinators — with these herbaceous perennials

Get a Free Quote

More Discussions

Pennisetum orientale

2