Best Ornamental Grasses to put along your fence

If you want to give movement, texture and color to your fence, plant ornamental grasses in front of it to give the fence a flair. Ornamental grasses are an attractive choice because the only maintenance is cutting them back in the spring. Most grasses offer four-season interest while providing a haven for wildlife and an architectural form to your landscape. Ornamental grasses bring a certain dimension of texture, color, height and graceful motion to your fence. The taller native grasses can create a sense of privacy while framing the fence and softening the fence line. 'Morning Lights' maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis) can grow up to 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Beyond Blue is an evergreen ornamental blue-gray grass with straw-colored flowering clusters, making a beautiful backdrop for any type of fence.

Planting groups of native ornamental grasses in front of or behind the end, corner and line posts can create the same impact as a shrub or hedge. Taller grasses can add an architectural element when framing vertical posts. Shorter ornament grasses will give the fence an appearance of depth and height.

Planting and Maintenance

Early spring is the best time to plant new ornamental grasses and to divide existing plants. Fall/Winter is the best time to tidy up any overgrown areas, particularly if you want the grasses to simply frame your fence and not cover it completely. Cut back overgrown areas before new growth begins by cutting back dead foliage.

Beyond Blue

'Morning Lights' maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis)