Tall Grasses in Midwest Landscaping: Beauty, Privacy, and Year-Round Interest

If you’re looking to add height, texture, and movement to your landscape, tall grasses are a must-have—especially in the Midwest. These resilient plants thrive in our seasonal climate and offer a low-maintenance way to create natural privacy screens, windbreaks, or striking focal points. Whether planted in the ground or placed in large containers, tall ornamental grasses bring structure and visual interest all year long.

Here’s a look at some popular tall grasses perfect for Midwest yards—and why they deserve a spot in your landscape design. Ask you r local professional landscaping company for the best grass choices in your local area.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

• Height: 3–6 feet

• Planting Style: Ground planted or large containers

• Best For: Privacy screens, erosion control, wildlife habitat

• Why It Works in the Midwest: Native to North America, switchgrass is incredibly hardy and drought-tolerant. It holds up well through winter, offering beautiful golden tones and standing structure even under snow.

Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster')

• Height: 4–5 feet

• Planting Style: Ground or container

• Best For: Vertical interest, narrow spaces

• Why It Works in the Midwest: One of the earliest grasses to green up in spring, it thrives in our climate and tolerates clay soils. Its tall, upright plumes are stunning when backlit by the sun.

Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)

• Height: 4–8 feet

• Planting Style: Ground planted only (best for open areas)

• Best For: Native prairie gardens, naturalistic designs

• Why It Works in the Midwest: Also known as “turkey foot” due to its seed head shape, Big Bluestem is a tough native that handles heat, wind, and dry spells with ease.

Giant Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus)

• Height: Up to 10 feet

• Planting Style: Ground planted

• Best For: Tall privacy screens, windbreaks

• Why It Works in the Midwest: This towering grass makes a bold statement and provides dense coverage. Its thick clumps help reduce wind and noise while adding visual drama.

Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana 'Hardy' varieties)

• Height: 6–10 feet

• Planting Style: Ground or container (with winter protection)

• Best For: Showy plumes, accent planting

• Why It Works in the Midwest: While not all pampas varieties tolerate Midwest winters, some hardy cultivars can thrive with proper care. Their fluffy white plumes are stunning in late summer and fall.

Benefits of Tall Grasses in Midwest Landscaping:

·      Low Maintenance – Once established, most grasses need little water or upkeep.

·      Seasonal Beauty – Tall grasses change color through the seasons and offer winter interest.

·      Erosion Control – Deep roots help prevent soil erosion, especially on slopes.

·      Habitat-Friendly – Provide shelter and food for birds, pollinators, and small wildlife.

·      Natural Privacy – Use grasses as living fences that grow quickly and sway beautifully in the breeze.

Landscaping Grass Pro Tip

When planting tall grasses in containers, choose large pots (at least 18” deep) and use a high-quality soil mix. For in-ground planting, group grasses in odd numbers for a natural look, and allow space for their mature size.

Ready to add height and elegance to your yard? Barrow Landscapes’ team specializes in creating low-maintenance, high-impact landscapes with native and ornamental grasses. Whether you’re dreaming of a soft privacy wall or a modern container arrangement, we can help bring your vision to life.

Barrow Landscapes services Metamora, Germantown Hills, Peoria, East Peoria, Washington, Morton and surrounding areas. Contact Barrow Landscapes for all your landscaping needs.

Barrow Landscapes offers Hardscapes including Paver Walkways, Retaining Walls, Paver Patios to Softscapes including landscape plantings, lawn install and repair, and privacy plantings. Barrow Landscapes also offers landscape lighting and 2D and 3D landscape designs so their clients’ can visualize their dream landscapes with unparalleled clarity and confidence, making informed decisions bringing outdoor visions to life.

Call Barrow Landscapes at 309-370.6299 or visit BarrowLandscapes.com. Give us a call today or contact us to get your landscape visions started.

Contact Barrow Landscapes for a FREE Estimate