Tall Perennials and Shrubs That Transform Hardscapes with Natural Beauty

Ornamental Grasses are an excellent choice for softening a fence in a sunny location.

Gardens aren’t just about ground cover and small pops of colour. One of the best-kept secrets to creating a luxurious, lush, and layered landscape—especially here in Eastern Ontario (Zones 4 and 5)—is using tall perennials to soften the edges of hard surfaces. Whether you're designing alongside interlock, patios, driveways, fences, or stone features, upright plants create movement, texture, and a wild elegance that transforms rigid into refined.

At Fine Lines Landscape and Designs, we believe that every landscape should not only function beautifully but feel alive and immersive. Below are some of our favourite go-to tall perennials and ornamental shrubs—a mix of Ontario natives and standout imports—that elevate even the hardest corners of your garden.

Top Tall Perennials for Sun & Shade

Cup Plant adds height and pollinator power to sunny, naturalized spaces.

1. Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum)

A towering native that reaches up to 8 feet tall. Its large leaves and sunny blooms make it perfect for naturalized areas, pollinator gardens, or creating privacy screens along fences.

A bold shade solution with frothy white plumes and lush foliage.

2. Goat’s Beard (Aruncus dioicus)

A shade-lover with frothy white flower plumes that can reach over 6 feet. A fantastic structural addition near shady walls, under tall trees, or nestled beside natural stone paths.

 This pollinator magnet brings vertical drama to damp or meadow-style gardens.

3. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum)

This bold native thrives in moist spots and can reach 5–7 feet. Its dusty purple blooms attract butterflies and offer a dreamy meadow vibe near water features or rain gardens.

Classic cottage garden charm for sunny walls and vertical impact.

4. Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea)

A cottage garden classic that thrives in sun and well-drained soils. With blooms that climb up spires like candy-colored towers, they’re ideal against sheds, garages, or south-facing stone walls.

Adds graceful structure and soft colour to sun or part-shade areas.

5. Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum virginicum)

Slender spires of white or pale lavender flowers bring a vertical touch to mixed borders. It loves moist soil and does beautifully in partial shade.

6. Meadow Rue (Thalictrum aquilegiifolium)

With lacy foliage and airy, fluffy blooms, this native works beautifully in light shade or part sun. It adds whimsy and a naturalistic softness when planted in drifts.

Whimsical and airy, perfect for woodland edges and shaded beds.

7. Ornamental Grasses

(e.g., Miscanthus, Calamagrostis, Panicum)

These are the unsung heroes of any hardscape. Their movement, height, and sound bring your garden to life. Use them beside patios, paths, or pool edges for structure and grace.

Bonus: Tall Shrubs for Extra Structure

False Indigo (Baptisia australis) – A native with lupine-like blooms and a shrubby shape, ideal for back borders.

Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) – Especially in darker-leaved varieties, it's great for adding contrast against pale stones.

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) – Great for wildlife and wild-style planting zones; try a cut-leaf or black variety for drama.

Ready to Soften the Edges of Your Hardscape?

Custom design by Fine Lines in Rideau Lakes, Ontario

Let us help you design a lush, layered landscape that blends beauty with function. Whether you're refreshing a tired backyard or building from the ground up, our expert team brings a nature-first approach to every project.

Get in touch today to book a consultation or explore our Design + Install Services.

Want more plant wisdom? Browse our other blog posts like How to Grow Grass in the Shade or Interlock vs. Natural Stone-Which Walkway is Right for You?

Created by Nature. Elevated by Fine Lines.