Tall, thin plants fit just about anywhere in the landscape. So, if you're looking for something to fill a narrow space, line a walkway, or form a windbreak, look no further than tall, thin plants. Some show off gorgeous blooms while others are recognized by their eye-catching foliage.
We've created a list of 30 tall, thin plants that are perfect for landscaping. Without further ado, let's check them out!
1. Berberis
The berberis genus is full of evergreen and deciduous shrubs with gorgeous, colorful foliage. Some varieties are compact while others stand tall.
Its Latin name is Berberis spp.
These plants can be grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 8, depending on the variety. Berberis should be planted somewhere that receives partial shade or full sun. The soil needs to be well-draining.
2. Buxus
The buxus genus, also known as boxwoods, contains many species of attractive evergreen shrubs. The tallest variety can grow up to 20 feet.
Its Latin name is Buxus spp.
The buxus plants grow best in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 8, depending on the variety. The soil needs to be moist and well-draining. They perform best in partial shade.
3. False Cypress
This false cypress genus contains many varieties of attractive upright evergreen shrubs. Its foliage is rather feathery and features many stunning shades of steely green and blue.
Its Latin name is Chamaecyparis spp.
These plants do best in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 8, depending on the variety. Partial shade to full sun is ideal for its health.
Live False Cypress Plant
Click here to see this plant on Amazon.
4. Scarlet's Peak Holly
This holly plant is tall, thin, and features green foliage and beautiful red berries. It can reach a stunning height of 20 feet.
Its Latin name is Ilex vomitoria.
The plant performs best in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. Plant it in a spot that receives partial shade to full sun.
5. Early Bird Crapemyrtle
This multi-stemmed deciduous shrub features gorgeous sprays of white or purple flower clusters. The blooms last from early spring through late fall. It grows up to 6 feet tall.
Its Latin name is Lagerstroemia.
This crapemyrtle plant performs best in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 10. Plant it in a spot that receives partial shade to full sun. The soil needs to be well-draining.
6. Dwarf Fig
The dwarf fig tree is both an ornamental and fruit-bearing dwarf tree. Its foliage is dark green and its fruit is a deep burgundy. The tree grows to a height between 4 and 6 feet.
Its Latin name is Ficus carica.
The dwarf fig performs best in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 10. It needs full sun and well-draining soil for optimal health.
7. Japanese Holly
The Japanese holy plant stands tall, reaching a height between 6 and 10 feet at maturity. The columnar evergreen features shiny, dark green foliage.
Its Latin name is Ilex crenata.
This plant does best in USDA plant hardiness zones 6 through 8. Plant it in a spot that receives partial shade to full sun and has well-draining soil.
Live 6-Inch Japanese Holly
Click here to see this plant on Amazon.
8. American Arborvitae
The American arborvitae genus is full of stunning evergreen shrubs. Depending on the variety, the foliage ranges from vibrant green to deep gold. Heights range from 1 foot tall to 60 feet tall.
Its Latin name is Thuja spp.
Thuja plants do best in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 8, depending on the variety. Average moist and well-draining soils are ideal. For optimal growth, plant it in a spot with full sun.
9. Rhamnus
The coffeeberry plant is a dense evergreen shrub. Small yellow-green flowers form in the spring and develop into dark berries. It grows to a height between 6 and 15 feet and a width between 5 and 15 feet.
Its Latin name is Rhamnus californica.
This plant does best in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. Partial shade to full sun is ideal. It's drought-tolerant.
10. Hibiscus Syriacus
Hibiscus syriacus features a collection of plant varieties with a range of colorful blooms. The 4-inch wide flowers can be seen in vibrant shades and variegations of pink, white, and purple.
Its Latin name is Hibiscus syriacus.
These plants are suitable for USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. Plant them in a spot that receives partial to full sun.
Hibiscus Syriacus Seeds
Click here to see this seed packet on Amazon.
11. Orange Rocket Barberry
This compact shrub has a columnar habit of growth and reaches between 4 and 5 feet tall at maturity. As its name may suggest, its foliage is vibrantly orange during the fall months.
Its Latin name is Berberis thunbergii.
This barberry plant does best in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. Plant it in a spot that receives partial shade or full sun. The soil needs to be well-draining.
12. Italian Cypress
The Italian cypress is an incredibly tall evergreen with a columnar habit of growth. Its foliage is scale-like and greenish-bluish. At maturity, it can reach a stunning height between 40 and 70 feet.
Its Latin name is Cupressus sempervirens.
This evergreen does best in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. It needs to be planted in a spot with full sun.
Live Italian Cypress Plant
Click here to see this 4-inch live plant on Amazon.
13. Boltonia
The boltonia is a perennial plant that grows in mounds. It features daisy-like flowers during the summer and fall months. The plant grows to a height between 5 and 6 feet.
Its Latin name is Boltonia asteroides.
These flowers do best in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 10. They need full sun and well-draining soil.
14. Bugbane
This perennial plant features spikes of white flowers that extend from dark green foliage on a tall, wiry stem. They grow to about 4 feet tall.
Its Latin name is Actaea racemosa.
The bugbane plant performs best in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. The plant can thrive in partial shade to full sun.
15. Foxglove
Foxglove flowers are unique-looking with their 6-foot tall stalks full of tubular-shaped blooms. The blooms may be white, pink, red, lavender, or any variation of the colors.
Its Latin name is Digitalis purpurea.
Foxgloves do best in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 10. They can perform in full shade to full sun, depending on the heat level. The soil should be rich and well-draining.
Foxglove Seeds
Click here to see this seed packet on Amazon.
16. Desert Candles
Desert candles are stunning plants with a puffed-up looking stem and maroon flowers. They reach a height between 8 and 20 inches.
Its Latin name is Caulanthus inflatus.
These plants prefer sandy soil and full sun. They're drought-tolerant, too. They're most commonly found in the California desert.
17. Globe Thistle
The globe thistle features a large, round, purple cluster of small blooms. The blooms extend from 3 to 4 foot stems.
Its Latin name is Echinops ritro.
These plants are suitable for USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. The soil needs to be well-draining. Plant it in a location with full sun.
18. Salvia
The salvia plant, also known as sage, bloom from the summer through the fall. From the foliage emerges a spike full of tubular blossoms. The plants grow from 1.5 to 5 feet tall.
Its Latin name is Salvia spp.
Salvia does best in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 10. These plants prefer full sun and well-draining soil.
Salvia Seeds
Click here to see this seed packet on Amazon.
19. Hollyhock
Hollyhocks feature tall flower stalks, some towering 9 feet tall. Impressive clusters of blooms line the stalks. The blooms come in shades and variegations of white, pink, red, purple, yellow, and even black.
Its Latin name is Alcea rosea.
These plants do best in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 9, depending on the variety. Plant these flowers in a spot that receives full sun and has rich, well-draining soil.
20. Monkshood
The monkshood plant is a beautiful wildflower that features stunning foliage and purplish-blue blooms. It reaches between 2 and 4 feet in height.
Its Latin name is Aconitum.
These flowers perform best in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 7. The plants need moist, well-draining soil and a reasonable amount of sun.
21. Plume Poppy
Plume poppies feature feathery fronds of ivory flower clusters that sit atop long stalks. The foliage resembles that of geranium. The plant reaches a height between 3 and 8 feet.
Its Latin name is Macleaya cordata.
The plume poppy does best in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. It needs partial to full sun and well-draining soil.
22. Wild Senna
Wild senna is a large herbaceous perennial plant. It grows to a height between 3 and 6 feet tall and bright yellow flower clusters appear in the summer months. Its foliage is a vibrant green.
Its Latin name is Senna hebecarpa.
The wild senna performs best in USDA plant hardiness 4 through 8. Plant these flowers in a spot that receives partial to full sun. The soil needs to be moist but well-draining.
23. Delphinium
Delphiniums are summertime perennials that show off bright spikes of colorful blooms. The blooms come in shades of blue, purple, white, and pink. The plants grow to a height between 3 and 6 feet.
Its Latin name is Delphinium.
Delphinium does best in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 7. Plant it in a spot that receives partial to full sun. The soil should be well-draining. They don't do well in hot, dry climates.
24. Joe Pye Weed
Joe pye weed is a perennial wildflower with sprays of little flower clusters. The blooms come in shades of rose and mauve. At maturity, the plant reaches between 5 and 7 feet in height.
Its Latin name is Eutrochium purpureum.
The flower performs best in USDA plant hardiness zones 2 through 9. It does well in partial shade or full sun. The soil should be kept rich in nutrients and moist.
25. Coneflower
The coneflower is an eye-catching upright perennial flower. They grow to a height between 2 and 4 feet. Its foliage is dark green, helping the vibrant blooms stand out. The large blooms come in shades of purple, yellow, white, pink, and orange.
Its Latin name is Echinacea.
The coneflower does best in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. Plant it in a spot that receives full sun.
Purple Coneflower Seeds
Click here to see this seed packet on Amazon.
26. Canna
Cannas are tropical flowers with vibrant blooms. The flowers come in shades of red, orange, pink, and yellow. Its foliage may be green, bronze, or variegated. Depending on the variety, these plants can reach between 1 and 8 feet in height.
Its Latin name is Canna x generalis.
These types of plants do best in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 11. They need to be planted in a spot with full sun.
Red Canna Seeds
Click here to see this seed packet on Amazon.
27. Oriental Lily
Lilies are one of the most recognizable plants. They feature large, showy blooms with 6 petals that fan out in a trumpet shape. The blooms come in many shades and variegations of yellow, pink, white, orange, and more. These lilies can reach 4 feet in height.
Its Latin name is Lilium spp.
Oriental lilies do well in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 9, depending on the variety. They need regular watering and fertilizer every 2 weeks during its blooming season.
28. Maximilian Sunflower
The Maximillian sunflower features beautiful green foliage and an abundance of 5-inch wide yellow blooms. The plants grow to a height between 3 to 10 feet.
Its Latin name is Helianthus maximiliani.
The Maximilian sunflower does best in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. It needs to be planted in a spot that receives full sun. Regular watering is needed.
29. Red Hot Poker
Red hot pokers are a type of lily. Their blooms are eye-catching in their shades of dazzling orange and red. The perennial has a clumping habit of growth. The plant can grow up to 5 feet tall.
Its Latin name is Kniphofia uvaria.
The red hot poker plant performs best in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. Plant this plant in a spot that receives full sun and has well-draining soil.
Red Hot Poker Seeds
Click here to see this seed packet on Amazon.
30. Chimney Bellflower
This beautiful perennial plant features an abundance of beautiful bell-shaped blooms. The blooms have a striking blueish-purple color. It grows to a height between 4 and 6 feet.
Its Latin name is Campanula pyramidalis.
The chimney bellflower does best in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 7. Plant it in a spot that receives partial shade to full sun. The soil must be well-draining.
In Closing
Your landscaping will thank you for adding some of these tall, thin plants into the design! Let us know in the comment section below which ones you decide to use. Before you go, be sure to check out these other insightful gardening guides: