A bulky garden fence or a dense hedge of conifers can be real light robbers and overwhelm the garden if it is completely surrounded. But should you forego the peace and quiet you want and be content with letting your neighbors take part in the daily goings-on in the garden? That doesn't have to be the case. Zebra grass is an effective hedge plant that is also a real eye-catcher. The plant attracts everyone's attention, but doesn't let anyone through.
Why is zebra grass a good privacy screen?
Zebra grass as a privacy screen offers many advantages such as evergreen, hardy stalks, striking appearance, fast growth, ease of care and attraction of butterflies. You can choose between overhanging and upright growing species.
Benefits of zebra grass as a privacy screen
- evergreen plant
- hardy
- striking look that not everyone has
- fast, high growth
- easy care
- attracts butterflies
Different species
Zebra grass is available in many different varieties in Germany. The most popular are
- Miscanthus sinensis cascade
- Miscanthus giganteus
To use the plant as a privacy screen, you can choose between overhanging zebra grass types or those that grow upright. You have to combine the first mentioned with a garden fence. A small property border made of wood or wire serves as a climbing aid for the zebra grass (€18.00 on Amazon) and creates a very nice look when the striped stalks wind around the individual fence slats. You can use the upright growing grasses as a standalone privacy screen. They grow very quickly and reach considerable heights. A leaf can grow up to 150 cm. For this reason, you should take a few things into consideration when planting.
Planting zebra grass
- a sunny location promotes the growth of zebra grass
- humous soil also allows the privacy screen to grow quickly
- If you plant several grasses, for example as a hedge, you should maintain a minimum distance of one meter from plant to plant
- install a root barrier immediately to prevent unwanted spread
- Zebra grass also serves as a privacy screen in winter, as it is only cut back in spring. Then it sprouts again after a short time
- You can also tie the individual stalks up for even less visibility of your property
