Due to its height and herbaceous growth, pampas grass is ideal as a privacy screen. However, attention should be paid to the planting distance in the bed; on the balcony, the size of the pot and the variety are crucial.
How do you use pampas grass as a privacy screen?
Pampas grass is ideal as a privacy screen: Choose tall and bushy varieties such as Rosa Feder, Sunningdale Silver or Citaro and plant them in a bed or pot at a distance of one meter. Small varieties such as Pumila or Tiny Pampa are recommended for balcony planting.
How do you plant a pampas grass privacy screen?
Choose varieties that are as wide and tall as possible (e.g. Rosa Feder, Sunningdale Silver or Citaro) and plant the mppas grass at a distance of one meter from each other. Lavender, sedum or asters are suitable as companion plants in the bed. For container planting, choose small-growing varieties such as Pumila or Tiny Pampa. A bucket should hold at least 40 liters of soil volume.
Pampas grass as a privacy screen for terraces and gardens
Due to its growth height of up to 3 meters, pampas grass is also often bought in this country as a natural privacy screen. Compared to metal or wooden structures, a plant-based alternative appears much more casual and also offers added value for animals of all kinds.
Pampas grass as a hedge
Not all varieties of Cortoaderia selloana are suitable for creating an opaque hedge. For this purpose,tall-growingand at the same timebushyspecies should be used. These include the white pampas grass Citaro, Rosa Feder and the genus Sunningdale Silver. The minimum growth height for these varieties is2 meters They also impress with a dense clump that continues to grow in size over the years. For more tips on growing pampas grass, check out this article.
Regardless of the variety selected, the location of the planned hedge also plays a crucial role in its prosperity. The place should be in afully sunnylocation, but it should be protected from strong weather influences such as wind and rain. In the worst case, these can lead to the hollow stalks breaking off, which can no longer be straightened up on their own. In addition, aminimum distance of 1 to 1.20 meters should be maintained between the individual plants of the hedge.
We have summarized why an appropriate planting distance should be maintained in this article.
Pampas grass as a perennial bed
The ornamental grass is also suitable as a bed plant and can be combined with numerous other plants. However, these should always prefer a similar location and require comparable maintenance. It is also advisable to select plants with different heights. This ensures that each plant receives sufficient light and, if a planting distance of around one meter is maintained, appropriate ventilation. Additional tips for combining Cortaderia selloana with other plants are linked here.
Pampas grass can be combined with a variety of plants.
In addition to the color design options for the pampas grass itself, a beautiful play of colors can also be created with the help of the planting partners. In practice, the following plants have proven particularly useful in bed planting:
- Aster
- Blue Diamond
- Feather grass
- Sedum
- Pennisetum grass
- Lavender
- Magnificent candle
- Riding grass
- Coneflower
Pampas grass as a privacy screen in the bucket
Pampas grass can also be easily cultivated in a pot. However, due to the limited space available, the selection of the variety is crucial. Nevertheless, the bucket should be of sufficient size from the outset (at least.40 liters) to provide the ornamental grass with enough opportunities for the roots to grow. It is also recommended to equip the planter with enough drainage holes and a drainage layer to prevent waterlogging and winter moisture and the subsequent root rot.
As with outdoor planting, the location should be in asunnyandprotected spot. Further information on the preferred conditions can be found here. Depending on the size of the pot, a maximum of one additional plant should be planted. Ideally, you should provide each plant with its own planter. This type of planting also gives you a lot of flexibility, as the arrangements can be changed at any time.
Pampas grass privacy screen for the balcony in a bucket
The ornamental grass is not only a popular privacy screen for the terrace and garden. Many balcony owners have also recognized the advantages of bushy grass for protecting privacy. However, compared to outdoor or container planting in the garden, there are some special features to consider, which will be discussed below.
Pampas grass – varieties for the balcony
Depending on the size of the balcony, the open space available for cultivating plants also varies. Even low-growing grass species that do not exceed a height of one meter require a soil volume of at least 40 liters in order to grow optimally. Cortaderia selloana is thereforenot suitable for growing in balcony boxes If you still want to plant grasses in your boxes, you should use Pennisetum grass.
We recommend the following varieties for planting in pots:
- Pumila: The Pumila variety reaches a maximum height of one meter and a maximum width of 1.20 meters. The flower fronds are more than ten centimeters long in relation to the overall size. The fronds can usually be admired in their white-silver color from September to October.
- Tiny Pampa: With a height and width of 60 centimeters, the Tiny Pampa genus is one of the smallest of its kind. The flower spikes of this variety are also very large at over ten centimeters and usually white in color. The flowering period of this ornamental grass begins in June and lasts until September.
- Mini Silver: The subspecies Mini Silver is best known for its decorative silvery inflorescences and the adapted leaf color. With a regular flowering period from September to November, the ornamental grass is one of the late bloomers. In addition, with a height of up to one meter, it is one of the taller-growing small plants of the species.
Planters for the balcony
Basically there are no limits when it comes to choosing the planter, but there are a few general conditions that must be taken into account in order to provide the pampas grass with enough space to grow.
- at least 40 centimeters in diameter
- at least 40 liters filling volume
- multiple drainage holes on the bottom
By setting up planters, even small balconies can be made more natural.
The ornamental grass responds to both too high and too low a moisture content as well as a location that is too shady with reduced growth and the absence of flower spikes. The soil should also have a humus-rich and nutrient-rich structure. For this reason, it is recommended to use a special soil that contains all the necessary nutrients and the right consistency. The location should be exposed to direct sun for at least five hours a day, so ideally a south or southeast orientation should be ensured. Additional care instructions for potted plants can be found here.
The Vulkan flower box (€34.00 on Amazon) from the Ondis24 brand is suitable for both the balcony and the terrace. With dimensions of 0.8 m x 0.3 m x 0.3 m (LxWxH), the tub made of robust plastic can be placed almost anywhere. In order to meet the requirements of the pampas grass in terms of preventing waterlogging, drill holes for water drainage are highlighted in the floor area. In addition, a water reservoir is installed in the lower area to collect excess liquid.
The wooden barrel from Temesso, which is made from a used wine barrel, is a visual eye-catcher. With a capacity of around 100 liters and a diameter of 70 centimeters, this plant pot requires a little more space. Despite the use of oak wood, the tub is completely waterproof and weatherproof. To use it as a plant pot, you should drill additional holes in the ground.
FAQ
How fast does pampas grass grow?
The maximum growth height and speed of the ornamental grass depends on the variety selected. While short-growing varieties can grow up to 100 centimeters per year, tall varieties reach growth rates of up to 300 centimeters per year.
What planting distance is needed for pampas grass as a hedge?
Despite the desire to make a hedge as opaque as possible, a planting distance of 1.00 to 1.20 meters between the individual plants should be maintained. Falling below this minimum distance will result in reduced growth of the respective plant.
Which pampas grass is suitable for the balcony?
Small varieties that are also suitable for container planting are primarily suitable for balcony planting. Some suitable species include Evita, Compacta, Mini Silver, Pumila, Patagonia and Tiny Pampa.
Which type of pampas grass is suitable for privacy protection?
When creating a privacy screen, you should primarily focus on bushy and tall-growing varieties. The best-known representatives of Cortaderia selloana include Citaro, Silverstar, pink and white feather as well as the American pampas grass.
How tall does pampas grass get?
The ornamental grass can reach a height of up to 3 meters with appropriate site conditions and good care. Specimens planted outdoors usually reach a significantly greater height than species transplanted in pots. Further information on the maximum growth height of pampas grass is compiled for you in this article.
