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tall ornamental grasses for privacy

Looking to create a lush, private sanctuary in your garden? Tall ornamental grasses for privacy are an increasingly popular choice for New Zealand gardeners. These elegant, fast-growing grasses not only shield your outdoor spaces from prying eyes, but also add striking texture and movement to your landscape throughout the year. Whether you’re after a modern look, a naturalistic design, or a soft backdrop for your entertaining areas, screening with ornamental grasses offers endless possibilities.

Carex 'Frosted Curls' plants with elegant green foliage growing in a pot with other plants.

Carex Frosted Curls

5 from 1 customers

Carex Frosted Curls is an ornamental grass with slender, hair-like, iridescent foliage that shimmers in light breezes. It typically grows to 30 cm tall and 40 cm wide, performing best when planted on a well-drained site in full sun or partial shade.

From $11.50

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 30 cm
Spread: 40 cm
Tolerances: Coastal
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native
A large planting of Stipa gigantea (Golden Oat Grass) as a feature garden.

Stipa gigantea

Stipa gigantea (Golden Oat Grass) is a spectacular ornamental grass prized for its graceful evergreen foliage and tall airy stems topped with shimmering golden flower heads through summer. Its elegant movement and architectural form make it a standout feature in borders, gravel gardens, and contemporary landscapes.

From $15.11

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Summer, Autumn
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
Lomandra Tankia with lush green foliage bordering a path.
Lomandra 'Tanika'

Lomandra Tanika is a hardy, Australian Native grass that is commonly known as Mat Rush. This grass features fine, deep-green foliage and a graceful...

From$10.97
Lomandra 'Katrinus Deluxe' plant with lush, dark green foliage.
Lomandra Katrinus Deluxe

Lomandra Katrinus Deluxe is an evergreen, ornamental grass known for its mid-green, arching foliage and tidy clumping habit. Growing to approximately...

From$17.87
Carex flagellifera Green plant with lush and colourful foliage.
Carex flagellifera Green

Carex flagellifera Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, green leaves as it grows to...

From$12.95
Acorus gramineus variegata plants growing in pots with green and cream foliage.
Acorus gramineus variegatus

Acorus gramineus variegatus, commonly known as Variegated Sweet Flag, is an attractive ornamental grass-like plant prized for its elegant green and...

From$12.95
Carex flagellifera Red plants.
Carex flagellifera Red

Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

From$11.50
Lomandra longifolia plant beside a path with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass)

Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass) is a resilient, evergreen ornamental grass native to Australia. Growing to approximately 60 cm in height and 65 cm...

From$19.25
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' grasses as a mass planting and featuring elegant, cream-coloured flower heads as plumes.
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'

Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' is a popular ornamental grass known for its upright, clump-forming habit and tall, feathery flower plumes. It grows to...

From$19.95
A large Calamagrostis 'Overdam' grass with elegant, variegated foliage.
Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’ is a striking variegated ornamental grass that delivers elegant upright form and delicate texture to garden borders and...

From$19.95
isolepsis-cernua-1
Isolepis cernua (Scirpus cernua)

Isolepis cernua (Fiber Optic Grass) is a distinctive ornamental grass prized for its fine green stems tipped with tiny white flowers that resemble...

From$16.49
Lomandra 'Seascape' grass with elegant, blue-green foliage growing beside a pond.
Lomandra confertifolia Seascape

Lomandra confertifolia 'Seascape' is a hardy, evergreen ornamental grass featuring slender, blue-grey foliage with a graceful, weeping habit. Forming...

From$19.25
Carex comans green plants with dense, green foliage in a garden.
Carex comans Green

Carex comans Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass featuring slender and arching, lime green foliage. It grows as a tidy clump to about 40 cm tall...

From$11.50
An elegant Miscanthus sinensis grass with cream-coloured flower plumes and lush green foliage.
Miscanthus sinensis

Miscanthus sinensis is an ornamental grass that grows as a clump of narrow, arching, green leaves. The colouring gives a light silver-green effect to...

From$19.95
Lomandra Lime Tuff in a garden showing elegant foliage.
Lomandra Lime Tuff

Lomandra 'Lime Tuff' is a hardy evergreen ornamental grass valued for its vibrant lime green foliage and compact tidy growth habit. This versatile...

From$17.87
Lomandra Little Pal plants with lush green foliage.
Lomandra Little Pal

Lomandra Little Pal is a compact ornamental grass grown for its fine, green-yellow foliage and tidy, rounded form. Growing to approximately 60 cm in...

From$19.25
Lomandra 'Echidna' grass growing as a mass planting beside a path.
Lomandra Echidna

The Lomandra Echidna grass is a tough and reliable plant with outstanding aesthetics. It features lush, mid-green foliage held upright with a gentle...

From$17.87
Lomandra Frosty Tops with lush blue foliage in a garden.
Lomandra Frosty Tops

Lomandra Frosty Tops is a hardy, evergreen grass featuring elegant, blue-grey foliage and a soft, weeping form. Growing to around 50 cm tall and...

From$19.25
Lomandra Little Lime in a garden with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra Little Lime

Lomandra Little Lime is a compact ornamental grass known for its vibrant lime-green foliage and tidy, rounded form. Growing to about 50 cm in height...

From$21.39
Poa cita grass plants on a plateau overlooing the sea.
Poa cita

Poa cita, commonly known as Silver Tussock, is a clump-forming NZ native grass with delicate, green foliage that wafts gracefully in the breeze. It...

From$9.95
Dactylis glomerata plant with a cat.
Dactylis glomerata (Cat Grass)

Dactylis glomerata, commonly known as Cat Grass or Catnip Grass, is a popular grass that is loved by cats. It features flowing, green foliage held as...

From$22.01
Lomandra Green Allure plant with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra Green Allure

Lomandra Green Allure is widely used in landscaping projects across NZ. It is commonly mass planted as a ground cover or on a bank, included in...

From$19.25
Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.
Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically...

From$6.95
Ophiopogon planiscapus (Mondo Grass) with lush green foliage growing as a ground cover.
Ophiopogon planiscapus

Ophiopogon planiscapus, commonly known as Dwarf Lilyturf, is a Mondo grass grown for its fine, dark green foliage and short stature. The foliage is...

From$6.95
Sisyrinchium californicum plants with yellow flowers and fine, green foliage.
Sisyrinchium californicum

Sisyrinchium californicum, commonly known as the Golden Eyed Grass, is an herbaceous perennial grown for both its foliage and flowers. It bears...

From$17.25
Ficinia nodosa (Knobby Club Rush) plants growing in sand and displaying lush, green foliage.
Ficinia nodosa (Knobby Club Rush)

Ficinia nodosa, commonly known as Knobby Club Rush, is a NZ native grass that features stout, mid-green foliage. In cold or exposed climates, the...

From$14.84
Carex buchananii with lush brown foliage growing as a specimen plant in a rock garden.
Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge)

Carex buchananii, commonly known as Leatherleaf Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass-like plant with delicate, upright, copper-bronze...

From$11.50
Orange foliage on Carex testacea.
Carex testacea

Carex testacea, commonly known as Orange Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass admired for its fine, arching foliage that turns a brilliant...

From$12.95
Carex dipsacea plants as a mass planting in a garden.
Carex dipsacea (Teasel Sedge)

Carex dipsacea is a fine-leaved, clump-forming sedge native to New Zealand. It features slender, green to bronze-tinted foliage and grows to...

From$12.95
Cyperus ustulatus growing in water.
Cyperus ustulatus (Giant Umbrella Sedge)

Cyperus ustulatus, commonly known as the Giant Umbrella Sedge, is a large and robust NZ native grass. It grows as a clump and produces dark green...

From$17.25
Typha orientalis (Raupo) plants with brown seed heads.
Typha orientalis (Raupō)

Typha orientalis, commonly known as Raupo, is a vigorous and erect, NZ native grass. It is found throughout New Zealand in shallow, fertile waters...

From$14.84
Ophiopogon japonicus nana (dwarf Mondo grass) growing between paving stones.
Ophiopogon japonicus Nana

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana' is a dwarf or mini Mondo Grass grown for its delicate, dark green foliage. Flower spikes are borne in summer and bear...

From$9.95
Carex Frosted Curls

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acorus, Calamagrostis, and Carex, or related Categories - Grasses.

Search tall ornamental grasses

Why Choose Tall Ornamental Grasses for Privacy?

Unlike solid fences or hedges, tall ornamental grasses for privacy bring a light, graceful touch to your garden. Their upright habit and dense, swaying foliage provide instant screening without feeling heavy or imposing. Many varieties thrive in New Zealand’s climate, are easy to maintain, and offer year-round appeal. With their varied heights, colours, and leaf types, these grasses can be used to create privacy screens, windbreaks, or living dividers in both urban and rural settings.

Top Tall Ornamental Grasses for Privacy in New Zealand

When considering which tall ornamental grasses for privacy will suit your garden best, think about sun exposure, soil type, and the overall look you’re after. Here are some standout varieties found at our nursery:

Juncus Blue Dart (Blue Rush)

With its upright blue-green stems, Juncus Blue Dart (Blue Rush) creates an architectural statement perfect for modern gardens. Ideal for wet areas and tough conditions, this grass reaches impressive heights while remaining tidy and low-maintenance.

Restio tetraphyllus (Tassel Grass)

For a softer, more lush privacy screen, Restio tetraphyllus (Tassel Grass) is a stunning native with finely textured foliage that dances in the breeze. Its tall, arching stems form a dense display, making it perfect for naturalistic plantings or pondside retreats.

Isolepis cernua (Fiber-Optic Grass)

If you're after something unique, try Isolepis cernua (Fiber-Optic Grass). While not as tall as some, it pairs beautifully with other grasses to create a tiered effect, softening the base of higher plantings.

Carex Frosted Curls

Carex Frosted Curls shines in massed plantings, offering shimmering silver foliage that cascades elegantly. Use it in conjunction with taller species to create a layered privacy screen that's both beautiful and effective.

Lomandra White Sands

For year-round interest and robust performance, Lomandra White Sands bursts with variegated foliage and forms sturdy clumps. Its tolerance of drought and coastal conditions makes it a popular option for low-maintenance privacy.

How to Plant and Maintain Your Ornamental Grasses

To achieve the best privacy, space your tall ornamental grasses for privacy closely, allowing them to grow together into a living wall. Most grasses thrive in free-draining soil and full sun, but be sure to check each variety’s preferences. Regular watering during establishment and a yearly tidy-up keep your screen healthy and looking its best.

Whether you want to create secluded relaxation zones, enhance your boundary, or simply enjoy the beauty of swaying foliage, tall ornamental grasses for privacy offer a practical and stylish solution for all New Zealand gardens. Discover our full range of ornamental grasses and transform your outdoor space into a private retreat.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Our garden favourites Agapanthus 'Gayles Lilac' and Rhododendron 'Black Magic' get lots of love, but don’t miss out on a few lesser-known delights: Camellia Kramers Beauty, Magnolia lennei 'Alba', and Ginkgo biloba.
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