Ornamental grasses are a popular choice for landscaping due to their beauty, versatility, and ability to thrive in various climates. These grasses offer aesthetic appeal with their tall, flowing blades that sway in the wind, adding texture and movement to gardens and landscapes.

For those seeking impressive heights, there are several ornamental grasses that stand out.

This article explores the 10 tallest ornamental grasses, offering insights into their unique features, growing conditions, and care. By understanding these towering beauties, gardeners can choose the best options for their yards, ensuring year-round interest and beauty.

Related: Best Fertilizer For Ornamental Grasses

Which Are The Tallest Ornamental Grasses? Find 10 Best

1. Giant Reed (Arundo donax)

The Giant Reed is one of the tallest ornamental grasses, often growing to heights of 10 to 12 feet, making it a dramatic statement piece for any landscape. Its tall, bamboo-like stems and large, feathery plumes add a sense of grandeur, particularly in larger garden spaces. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and its height and structure make it an excellent choice for privacy screens or as a backdrop in garden designs.

This grass grows quickly and is tolerant of various soil types, including clay and sandy soils. It also performs well in USDA planting zones 6 to 9, making it a versatile choice across many regions. However, Giant Reed can be invasive in certain areas, so it’s important to control its spread by regularly cutting it back.

Pros:
• Fast-growing
• Tall structure
• Privacy screen
• Versatile
• Tolerates various soils
• Hardy in many zones
• Low maintenance

Cons:
• Invasive
• Requires space
• Needs control

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2. Miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis)

Miscanthus, particularly the ‘Gracillimus’ variety, is another towering ornamental grass that can reach heights of 6 to 8 feet. Known for its fine-textured, arching leaves, it produces feathery flower heads that add elegance to any garden. Miscanthus thrives in full sun and tolerates drought once established, making it ideal for hot climates like Arizona and Texas.

This grass prefers well-drained soil but can adapt to various conditions, including clay, loamy, or sandy soils. Miscanthus performs best in USDA zones 5 through 9, thriving in both cooler and warmer climates. It’s an excellent choice for adding texture and movement to garden beds, as well as being a good windbreak in open spaces.

Pros:
• Tall and elegant
• Drought-tolerant
• Low maintenance
• Winter interest
• Adaptable to soils
• Hardy across zones
• Windbreak potential

Cons:
• Invasive in some areas
• Requires full sun
• Needs regular trimming

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3. Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)

Fountain Grass is a stunning ornamental grass with a height range of 3 to 6 feet, featuring a graceful, fountain-like shape. Its fluffy, bottlebrush-like flowers bloom in late summer, creating a soft, decorative effect. Fountain Grass thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, and it’s commonly found in gardens across USDA zones 5 through 9.

This grass grows in a clump and can be used as a focal point or a border plant. Fountain Grass is adaptable to many soil types, including sandy and clay soils, and can withstand drought conditions once established. It’s perfect for adding texture to garden beds, patios, and around water features, providing visual interest throughout the seasons.

Pros:
• Graceful appearance
• Drought-tolerant
• Attracts pollinators
• Ideal for borders
• Easy to grow
• Good for containers
• Fast-growing

Cons:
• Prone to pests
• Needs winter care
• May spread aggressively

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4. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

Switchgrass is a tall, upright ornamental grass that can reach up to 6 feet in height, with a dense, airy flowerhead. It’s a native grass that thrives in a variety of climates and is well-suited for USDA zones 4 through 9. Switchgrass adapts to different soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils, and it requires little maintenance once established.

This grass is known for its stunning fall color, turning from green to vibrant golds and reds. Switchgrass grows well in full sun and performs well in both dry and moist conditions. It also offers great benefits to wildlife by providing shelter and food sources for birds and small mammals.

Pros:
• Native species
• Attractive fall color
• Wildlife-friendly
• Low maintenance
• Drought-resistant
• Versatile
• Great for erosion control

Cons:
• Can be floppy
• Needs pruning
• Requires space

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5. Bamboo Grass (Bambusa spp.)

Bamboo grass is a perennial ornamental grass that can grow between 8 to 12 feet tall, creating a dense, tropical look. With its fast-growing nature, it’s perfect for adding height and structure to a garden. Bamboo thrives in USDA zones 7 through 10, preferring slightly acidic, well-drained soils, and partial to full sunlight.

While Bamboo Grass can grow rapidly, it can also be invasive if not managed properly. Gardeners should contain it in large containers or use barriers to prevent unwanted spread. Its unique, narrow leaves and tall stems provide excellent visual interest, making it a favorite choice for modern and tropical-inspired landscapes.

Pros:
• Fast-growing
• Tropical look
• Dense foliage
• Good for screening
• Excellent privacy hedge
• Low maintenance
• Adaptable

Cons:
• Invasive potential
• Requires control
• Needs sunlight

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6. Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana)

Pampas Grass is famous for its dramatic, feathery flower plumes that grow up to 10 feet tall. The silver or pinkish flowerheads rise above long, arching blades, creating a striking vertical element in the landscape. Pampas Grass thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it perfect for hot climates such as Texas, Arizona, and California.

This grass is ideal for coastal or prairie landscapes and is hardy in USDA zones 7 through 11. Pampas Grass is also salt-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for seaside gardens. However, it requires regular pruning to keep it looking tidy and prevent the spread of its seeds.

Pros:
• Dramatic plumes
• Salt-tolerant
• Fast-growing
• Drought-tolerant
• Low-maintenance
• Beautiful focal point
• Hardy across zones

Cons:
• Prone to pests
• Requires pruning
• Invasive in some areas

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7. Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens)

Blue Oat Grass reaches a height of around 3 to 4 feet, with striking blue-gray foliage. This grass adds a pop of color and texture to gardens and is especially effective in rock gardens and drought-prone areas. It grows best in full sun and well-drained soils, thriving in USDA zones 4 to 9.

Blue Oat Grass has a clump-forming growth habit, providing a unique architectural element to garden beds. It requires little maintenance once established, making it an ideal choice for low-care landscapes. It’s drought-tolerant and grows best in soils that are slightly alkaline to neutral.

Pros:
• Unique color
• Low-maintenance
• Drought-tolerant
• Adds texture
• Hardy in many zones
• Ideal for rock gardens
• Clump-forming

Cons:
• Not a fast grower
• Needs sun
• Limited winter interest

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8. Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora)

Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass grows up to 5 feet tall, with fine, feather-like flowers that rise above narrow green blades. It is known for its upright, columnar shape, making it ideal for narrow garden spaces or as a border plant. This grass is well-suited for USDA zones 4 through 9 and thrives in moist, well-drained soils.

This grass is popular for its vertical structure, adding height and texture to any landscape. It requires little maintenance and remains attractive throughout the year, especially when its feathery seed heads turn golden in the fall. Karl Foerster is also an excellent choice for areas with strong winds, as its stiff, upright stems provide excellent windbreaks.

Pros:
• Vertical growth
• Feathery flowers
• Low-maintenance
• Windbreak potential
• Attractive in fall
• Hardy in many zones
• Resistant to pests

Cons:
• Can flop in wet conditions
• Requires pruning
• Not salt-tolerant

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9. Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Silver Arrow’)

Japanese Silver Grass, particularly the ‘Silver Arrow’ variety, can grow up to 6 to 8 feet tall, producing silver-white plumes that stand out in the garden. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, preferring USDA zones 5 through 9. This grass has arching, narrow leaves that add a soft, delicate texture to garden spaces.

It’s a versatile plant that can tolerate drought conditions and is resistant to pests and diseases. Japanese Silver Grass is also known for its beautiful fall color, which ranges from golden to red, depending on the variety. It is perfect for adding movement and interest to flower beds, large garden spaces, or along pathways.

Pros:
• Elegant appearance
• Drought-tolerant
• Beautiful fall color
• Low-maintenance
• Pest-resistant
• Hardy across zones
• Adds texture

Cons:
• Needs full sun
• Can become invasive
• Requires pruning

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10. Tall Wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus)

Tall Wheatgrass is a native grass that can grow up to 7 feet tall, offering a soft, flowing texture with its slender, arching leaves. It thrives in moist, well-drained soils and full sun, making it an excellent choice for wetland or meadow-style gardens. USDA zones 3 through 9 are ideal for Tall Wheatgrass, which can tolerate both drought and wet conditions once established.

Tall Wheatgrass grows in dense clumps and produces tall seed heads that add vertical interest to any garden. It’s perfect for use in naturalized landscapes, where its tall stature can create striking vertical elements. Additionally, it provides excellent habitat for wildlife, including birds and small mammals.

Pros:
• Native species
• Tolerates drought
• Vertical interest
• Wildlife habitat
• Hardy in many zones
• Low-maintenance
• Adaptable

Cons:
• Can be floppy
• Needs moisture
• Not evergreen

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Conclusion

Choosing the tallest ornamental grasses for your landscape adds both beauty and functionality, whether you’re looking to create privacy, add texture, or provide visual interest. Each of the grasses listed here offers distinct features and benefits, from dramatic plumes to graceful, flowing leaves.

With proper care, these grasses can thrive in a variety of climates across USDA zones, ensuring they remain a stunning focal point throughout the seasons.

Whether you’re gardening in Texas, Florida, Arizona, or Missouri, there’s a tall ornamental grass suited to your environment. Start planting today to create a landscape full of towering beauty and lasting appeal!