Tall Grasses for Privacy Screens

Big Bluestem

• Big bluestem grass is an ideal tall grass to use as a privacy screen around your property. As its name indicates, its stems are tinted blue. This variety of grass is also known for its purplish flowers. Big bluestem grass can grow to a height of eight feet, though it typically grows to between six and seven feet. It flowers in the fall months and is easy to grow because it requires little in the way of maintenance.

Switchgrass

• Switchgrass is a common North American grass that grows to significant enough heights to make it suitable for purposes of privacy. Switchgrass has two varieties -- upland and lowland. The upland variety is more ideal for use in your yard, as it grows to a maximum of six feet in height. The lowland type can reach 12 feet in height, which might be too tall for use in your yard.

Indian Grass

• Native to North America, Indian grass grows to roughly six feet in height, making it useful as a privacy screen at the rear or sides of your property. It has a reddish-gold hue, especially in the fall, when it flowers. An added bonus to using Indian grass around your home is that different species of butterfly lay their larvae in the grass. When the larvae hatch, you'll have butterflies fluttering around your yard.

Western Wheatgrass

• Western wheatgrass does not grow as tall as some other common varieties of grass, which makes it useful if you do not wish your natural privacy screen to appear overly tall. This type of grass, which could grow as tall as three feet, features pointed seed pods on the end of each stalk. In addition to being an ideal privacy screen, it also helps control erosion, which is ideal if you have slopes on the edges of your property.