The Grass Doctor

What type of plant should i use to hide my electrical box in the front yard. Should i go with Pampas Grass?

My yard is about 3/4 acre. The box is in the front yard, but not in front of the house. it is more to the side. I thought about dwarf pampas maybe.

Public Comments

1. We've had pampas grass. It is very tough stuff but the edges of each blade are like a saw. It can really cut you. It is also hard to get rid of later. I would suggest you consider something else. Not knowing the size of the box, I can't say what would be best. Also, if it is relatively small, there are fake boulders made from fiberglass that are very realistic and can put put over the box. One of our neighbors have one over a telephone box and it really looks natural.
2. good choice, unless children play near it. they might cut their hands on the serrated edges. if so, miscanthus would be a good second choice
3. The Cortaderia would do the job but it does have sharp edges. The Miscanthus is very pretty and one of my favorite ornamental grass but it does fade some in the winter-it doesn't go completely away but it is more sparse then. Have you thought about a shrub? Here are a few evergreen ones (some are fragrant and/or have pretty flowers): *Choisya ternata *Carpenteria californica *Grevillea *Hebe *Loropetalum Have fun hunting for the perfect plant!
4. Ornamental grass is always a good choice for electrical & other utility boxes. If and when the util company needs to come along and maintain the box, your grasses (and many other perennials) will grow back quite nicely after the mistreatment, unlike most shrubs & trees. Miscanthus, Panicum, Pennisetum and Erianthus varieties can make nice choices. You can combine them with other tall perennials like black-eyed susan, purple coneflower, even some sedum and hosta to make a nice bed. It sounds like you may have quite a bit of space to work with. I'd take advantage of the opportunity to make a beautiful garden! Good luck!
5. pampas grass is ok but you have a lot of choices any ornamental grasses any type of shrubs that you can place in a bed situation around the box here in houston when i was a landscaper we would place a bed around the utility boxes and plant a single or double row of ligustrums 36" oc and at least 36" away from box in case utility company needed to work on box this would allow them room to not destroy the plants since in reality the box is in a considered utility easement and if they destroy the plants they are not responsible for damage or to replace them