#ProPlantTips, Best Plant Picks, Landscape and Garden Design, Ornamental Grass Care, Perennial Care

Get The Tallest Ornamental Grasses In Town!

Nature Hills Nursery | February 14, 2026

Tall Ornamental Grasses are very popular and low-maintenance landscape options and there has been an explosion of interest in them for landscape use!

These tallest Ornamental Grass varieties can fit into almost any garden design, and add height, movement, white noise, and long-season color to your yard.

Read on to learn more about how Tall Grasses from NatureHills.com are ideal additions to your garden!

Towering Grass Varieties
The Tallest On The Block
Still Tall, But Not As Towering
Tallest Ornamental Grasses With The Widest Spread
Caring For Ornamental Grass
Mighty Plumes and Commanding Presence!

Towering Grass Varieties

Most large Grasses are fast-growing and you can see great results in one season! Some established Grasses can even reach anywhere from 10 to 30 feet in height in a single growing season.

These tall Ornamental Grass can be used for seasonal privacy hedges or focal points. Garden punctuation, large pots and planters, architectural texture, and vertically eye-catching specimens! They’re of course a great source of white noise and zen-like swaying in the breeze for Sensory Gardens!

The Tallest On The Block

In the 80s and 90s, Pampas Grass had the corner market as the tallest and the showiest! But it’s not the best Grass for every area of the country and certainly not the only tall grass out there!

Check out these other towering Grasses to adorn your landscape that are 5 feet or taller! While a lot of that is all flowering plumes, these are still mighty year-round landscape interest!

Silver Feather Maiden Grass
Fire Dragon Maiden Grass
Cloud Nine Switch Grass
Cabaret Maiden Grass
Malepartus Maiden Grass
Giant Feather Grass

Big displays, massive privacy, and property division, these Grasses hold their own among large shrubs and even trees as long as you give them enough sun! Towering and strong, their architectural lines and soothing presence in the garden will still command attention!

Still Tall, But Not As Towering

Most Maiden Grasses like Graziella Maiden Grass, Red Silver Maiden Grass, and Huron Sunrise Gold Bar Maiden Grass fall in the 3-5 feet tall range or you can check out these other shining examples!

Adagio Maiden Grass
Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass
Big Bluestem
Maiden Grass
Golden Sunset™ Yellow Prairie Grass
Red October Andropogon (Bluestem)
Pumila Dwarf Pampas Grass
Avalanche Feather Reed Grass
Silver Feather Maiden Grass
Skyracer Purple Moor Grass
Variegated Japanese Silver Grass
Totem Pole Switch Grass

Still, these grasses are great for screening, property division, and backdrops. These smallest of the tall have as much bravado as their larger cousins, without the need to put a crick in your neck! Fantastic back-of-the-border accents and Rock Garden lovelies, plant a pop of airy color with these brilliant selections!

Tallest Ornamental Grasses With The Widest Spread

Got room to play with? Or have a large area to fill? Go with the swaying beauty of Ornamental Grass! Go big with these largest and widest Grasses, growing between 6-8 feet in height and spreading 4-6 feet wide, colonizing larger areas when mature.

Silver Feather Maiden Grass
Cosmopolitan Maiden Grass
Cloud Nine Switch Grass

Sure to make short work of mass planting situations, these great spreaders fill hard-to-mow slopes, add drifts of color, secure soil on eroding hillsides, and filter rainwater and runoff, while adding their graceful presence to Zen gardens, Cottage gardens, and all types of mixed perennial and shrub borders!

Caring For Ornamental Grass

Both warm-season and cool-season Large Grasses are easily grown in full sun to part shade, but you will have the best growth and the strongest vertical, uniform growth in full sun.

If you choose cool-season grasses, they will have their growth spurts in early spring, while warm grasses depend on warmer weather, in mid to late spring and do their best in the summer's hot weather.

They are tolerant of a wide range of soils, from well-drained sandy soils to heavy clay - but must have soil that doesn’t consistently become soggy which leads to a fast death from root rot.

Provide regular water access during their first year in the ground and then you can back off, only watering during extended periods of drought or excessive heat.

All plants appreciate a 3-4 inch deep layer of arborist mulch around their root systems, but keep the crowns of Perennial Grasses clear of debris. Every 3-5 years it is recommended you divide Grass to maintain their clumps' health. Prune most Ornamental Grass down in the very early spring before new growth emerges.

Early spring pruning is best so the dormant tops can be appreciated during the winter months. This timing is also better versus fall because those cut hollow stems can allow more water to enter the crown and can cause problems. Enjoy for winter, cut in early spring to eliminate all of last year's old foliage as new leaves and seed heads all emerge from the roots.

Learn more in-depth Planting, Care, and Maintenance For Ornamental Grass in our Garden Blog.

Mighty Plumes and Commanding Presence!

Get ready to be impressed! Fast-growing and powerfully impactful Ornamental Grasses have lasting, easy-to-grow, and nearly maintenance-free beauty! Mixing and melding into about any landscape size or style, these carefree perennial plants bring the wow factor to your sun gardens!

Shop for Ornamental Grass without worry because some Grass may be considered invasive in some states but not in all states. Nature Hills uses Plant Sentry™ to prevent the sale and shipment of any plant that is prohibited by all of the 48 states that we ship to. So if your state has restrictions for any plant, it will not allow you to even purchase that plant. Nice, huh?

Our knowledgeable customer service team is here to assist you in choosing the right Ornamental Grass for your landscape and find alternatives for any situation!

Check out all the fantastic Tall Grasses available for your landscape today at NatureHills.com!

Happy Planting!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the tallest ornamental grass?

While Pampas Grass dominated as the tallest ornamental grass in the 80s and 90s, today's tallest varieties like Silver Feather Maiden Grass and Giant Feather Grass can reach 10-30 feet in height during a single growing season. These towering grasses work best in full sun locations and make excellent privacy screens or dramatic focal points. Choose varieties suited to your hardiness zone and plant them where they have room to reach their full mature height and spread.

What is the best time to plant tall ornamental grasses like Maiden Grass or Switch Grass to ensure they establish before winter?

The best time to plant tall ornamental grasses like Maiden Grass and Switch Grass is in spring after the last frost date, typically April through early June in most zones. This timing allows 4-6 months for root establishment before winter dormancy. In warmer zones (7-9), you can also plant in early fall, at least 6-8 weeks before your first expected frost. Plant in well-draining soil with full sun exposure and water regularly the first growing season to ensure strong root development.

How much spacing should I use when planting the tallest ornamental grasses to create a privacy hedge or focal point?

For privacy hedges using the tallest ornamental grasses like Silver Feather Maiden Grass or Cloud Nine Switch Grass, space plants 3-4 feet apart on center to allow for their mature spread of 4-6 feet wide. When creating focal points, give single specimens at least 6-8 feet of clearance from other plantings to showcase their full architectural impact. Most tall ornamental grasses reach their mature size within 2-3 growing seasons, so account for this rapid growth when planning your spacing. Plant in spring after the last frost date for your zone to ensure establishment before winter.

Do tall ornamental grasses prefer full sun, part shade, or can they handle various light conditions?

Tall ornamental grasses perform best in full sun conditions, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and flowering. While some varieties can tolerate partial shade, they typically produce fewer plumes and may develop weaker stems that are prone to flopping. Most towering grasses like Maiden Grass and Switch Grass need full sun exposure to reach their maximum height potential of 5-15+ feet. Plant your tall ornamental grasses in the sunniest location available in your landscape for the most dramatic results.

What soil types work best for growing the tallest varieties, and should I add compost?

Most tall ornamental grasses thrive in well-draining soil and are remarkably adaptable to various soil types, from sandy to clay conditions. While these grasses don't require rich soil to perform well, adding 2-3 inches of compost when planting will improve drainage and provide slow-release nutrients for optimal growth. Avoid overly fertile or constantly moist soils, as this can cause tall varieties to become floppy or prone to lodging. Plant in spring after frost danger passes and ensure good drainage for the strongest, most upright growth.

How often do I need to water tall ornamental grasses during their first year and after establishment?

During the first year, water tall ornamental grasses deeply once or twice weekly, providing about 1 inch of water per week including rainfall. After establishment (typically by the second growing season), most ornamental grasses become quite drought tolerant and only need supplemental watering during extended dry periods of 2-3 weeks without rain. In zones 3-9, established grasses like Maiden Grass and Switch Grass can survive on natural precipitation alone in most climates. Water deeply but infrequently rather than frequent shallow watering to encourage strong root development.

Which tall ornamental grasses are warm-season versus cool-season, and how does that affect their growth?

Most tall ornamental grasses like Maiden Grass, Switch Grass, and Feather Grass are warm-season varieties that begin active growth when soil temperatures reach 65°F in late spring, achieving their full 8-15 foot height by late summer. Cool-season grasses grow primarily in spring and fall with slower summer growth, typically staying under 6 feet tall. Warm-season grasses should be cut back in late winter before new growth emerges, while cool-season varieties can be trimmed in early spring or fall. Choose warm-season tall grasses for maximum height and dramatic late-season impact in zones 4-9.

When and how do I cut back tall ornamental grasses in spring to keep them looking tidy?

Cut back tall ornamental grasses in late winter to early spring, typically February through March, before new growth begins. Use sharp hedge shears or a chainsaw for very large clumps, cutting the entire plant down to 4-6 inches above ground level. Wait until after the last hard freeze in your zone, as the dried foliage provides winter interest and protects the crown. Make clean cuts straight across for the tidiest appearance and fastest spring regrowth.

How do I divide and transplant clumps of tall grasses like Silver Feather Maiden Grass?

Divide tall ornamental grasses like Silver Feather Maiden Grass in early spring before new growth begins, typically March through April in zones 5-9. Use a sharp spade or saw to cut through the crown, creating divisions with at least 3-4 healthy shoots and strong root systems. Plant divisions immediately at the same depth as the original plant, spacing them 3-4 feet apart to accommodate their mature spread. Water thoroughly after transplanting and maintain consistent moisture for the first month to establish strong root development.

Why do my tall ornamental grasses flop over, and how can I prevent or stake them?

Tall ornamental grasses typically flop over due to excessive nitrogen fertilization, insufficient sunlight (less than 6 hours daily), or overly rich, moist soil that promotes weak, fast growth. Most established grasses like Maiden Grass and Switch Grass are self-supporting when grown in proper conditions with lean soil and full sun. If staking is necessary, use sturdy bamboo poles or metal stakes placed discretely within the clump in early summer before the grass reaches full height. For chronic flopping issues, consider dividing overgrown clumps in early spring or selecting more compact cultivars better suited to your growing conditions.