When you move into a brand-new house, your yard usually starts out as a blank slate—which is great, except for the part where you’re basically on display for the whole neighborhood while you’re trying to enjoy a backyard BBQ. Waiting for a traditional hedge to grow tall enough to give you some privacy can take years. If you’re looking for a shortcut to a secluded sanctuary, Pampas grass is a fantastic, fast-growing alternative.
Fast-Growing and Low-Maintenance
The biggest perk of Pampas grass is just how quickly it takes off. In most cases, it only takes a few weeks for these plants to reach a height that actually blocks out prying eyes. Plus, it’s a dream for low-maintenance gardeners. You don’t need to water it constantly, and even though it’s a “hungry” plant, it does perfectly fine with basic fertilizing routines.
Not a Year-Round Barrier
There is one catch: Pampas grass isn’t a 365-day-a-year privacy screen. When winter rolls around, the stalks dry out and go dormant. Before the first frost hits, you’ll want to tie the grasses together in bundles to protect the center of the plant from winter moisture and rot.
In the spring, you’ll have to cut the plants back to the ground. This means you’ll have a gap of a few weeks where the grass is regrowing before it’s tall enough to hide behind again. However, since most of us spend our outdoor time during the warm summer months anyway, the grass is usually at its peak right when you need it most.
Choosing the Right Varieties
Keep in mind that not all Pampas grass is created equal—some varieties stay short, while others shoot up like crazy. If privacy is your main goal, you’ll want to look for these taller, fast-growing varieties:
- White Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana) – Reaches up to 8 feet tall.
- Pink Feather – Reaches up to 7 feet tall.
- Sunningdale Silver – Reaches up to 8 feet tall.
