We are in zone 5b, SE Colorado, and we are probably going to use pampa grass in our yard to help create a living fence for some privacy from people going by on the highway. Do you have any suggestions on which kind to get? I will be going to the nursery tomorrow and see what they recommend but thought input from here is great to have too. Thanks in advance.

I am in 5b also. I have Varigated Japense Silver Grass (or so I have been told and researched). It grows great but I will warn you they get massive. Here is a pic.

1 more.

Crystal, those look great! How big will they get for you? We are looking at the pampa grass for a living privacy fence. We want to enjoy our patio outside but it has no sides, roof, etc and the highway goes by our home so we don't feel we can enjoy the outdoors much. Nurseryman suggested the pampa grass, would grow tall and wide and give some privacy even in the winter, yet when we are inside it wouldn't block the view like hedges, etc could. I'm just wondering if anyone has done something like this? That grass looks pretty wide, but how tall?

I am 5'3" and it is tallter then me. Not a lot taller but taller. Dh is 6'2" and I am not sure if it is about the same as him or not.

a site I looked on says 4-6 feet tall and wide.

True Pampas Grass, "Cortaderia selloana" is native to Argentina, Brazil, and Chile and in many areas of the USA it is an invasive speices of grass. Many "nurseries" sell the "Miscanthus spp" species as Pampas Grass so you need to check to be sure which one you are getting. Misnaming of a species is a common practice with the less that desireable mail order nurseries.
Check with you local office of the Colorado State University USDA Cooperative Extension Service,
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/cedirectory/allcounties2.cfm
to see which one of the "Miscanthus spp." they recommend for your area.

Kimm, thank you for the info, I'll do some checking but I bought my plants Sunday from the nursery. I hope I have the right kind!!