Tall fast growing ornamental grass for privacy screen - Ask Extension
We need to screen people as well as game and sports equipment (soccer, volleyball, etc) used by our next door neighbor and whose lot is above ours. ...
Knowledgebase
Tall fast growing ornamental grass for privacy screen #644627
Asked June 01, 2020, 10:33 PM EDT
We need to screen people as well as game and sports equipment (soccer, volleyball, etc) used by our next door neighbor and whose lot is above ours. Do you have recommendations on fast growing ornamental grass for privacy screening? Ideal maure height would be 12-15 ft. We're open to other possibilities. Maintaining the screening effect in the winter would be a plus. We've already invested in blue spruces for some screening and we need to limit our expenses on this issue. The area for the grass would get full summer sun between about 11AM and 3PM.
Denver County Colorado
Expert Response
Some tall ornamental grasses that are recommend for Colorado include: Miscanthus ‘Giganteus’ (M. floridulus)
Giant silver grass
Miscanthus sacchariflorus
Silver banner grass
Miscanthus sinensis Maiden or silver grass
Here is a link to the fact sheet on ornamental grasses: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/ornamental-grasses-7-232/
Giant silver grass
Miscanthus sacchariflorus
Silver banner grass
Miscanthus sinensis Maiden or silver grass
Here is a link to the fact sheet on ornamental grasses: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/ornamental-grasses-7-232/
Thank you. I've searched for making a Giganteus purchase. One site sells Giganteus rhizomes. Are rhizomes a better way to begin growing than with seeds? If so, how should one begin with rhizomes? Also, would any soil treatments, fertilizers or other supplements be helpful? Thanks, Lou
Hi, yes, I would recommend starting with rhizomes or a plant, it will be faster than starting from seed. Here is a fact sheet that talks about rhizomes: http://miscanthus.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/growersguide.pdf
To prepare the soil, you could add some well aged compost and fertilize when you plant and periodically throughout the growing season.
To prepare the soil, you could add some well aged compost and fertilize when you plant and periodically throughout the growing season.
Thank you. Does a single rhizome grow into an 8-12 ft high and 4-5 ft wide Giganteus? Is full sun from about 11AM - 3PM and indirect sunlight dufing the day before and after that time period sufficient?
For these plants, the more sun the better, so this grass may not grow as tall as others. I was able to find this information on planting one rhizome: Expected Growth - The first year growth of an individual rhizome is 1-3 stalks, 1-3' tall. The second year you get an average of 7 stalks, 6-7' tall, and the third year the cluster's diameter will be approximately 14", with about 25 stalks at full height (11'+). By the fourth year, two rhizomes planted 18" apart will grow into each another. Slower spread with heavy soil (clay) and a little faster spread with sandy loam.
Great information. Thanks!
