The only one I'm aware of as being truly short is "Little Bunny", but you've already tried that, so there goes that. Have you considered an alternative with grass-like foliage? Sedges are lovely and can take part-sun - "Ice Dance" is a particularly nice variegated cultivar. Liriope muscari is tough as nails and will grow in a variety of exposure. While these won't have the plumes of the grass, the will have a similar foliage effect (and Liriope does get small flower spikes in the late summer - purple or white).

Hiya Mary and all, Your new books sound great--let us know what you think of them. I've got several MI books too (love "Agaves, Yuccas and Related Plants") but not the one you mention. I've really, really been enjoying 'Palm Springs-Style Gardens' which is by a woman who lives in and gardens in, Palm Springs, so almost all that she discusses and photographs is relevant for us here too. She totally "gets" that distinction between what grows in Los Angeles and what doesn't once you cross east of Banning, CA. Anyway, your new books sound fun. And definitely let us know what you select for your privacy. I like Mexican flame vine, but it sure can get zapped by cool weather. I'm a big fan of hopseed (Dodonea) as it really does grow quickly, is immune to our weather (since it's native) and doesn't need much water when established. Fun post/discussion and replies. Thanks! Grant Here is a link that might be useful: Palm Springs Style Gardens (book)

Well, I just planted 9 new pfg's to replace my winter dead clumps. May have had about 3 or 4 growing shoots on each clump, but it's just not worth it. Saw these on sale at the link below... fast growers, fast bloomers, won't take long to have those beautiful purple plumes again. :) I still envy the clumps down the road at Publix and Starbucks that survived this year...about 5 gallon size or so. I'll stick with replanting eah spring as necessary. I'd hate to take the chance on planting a 5 gallon grass only to lose it. Better off starting with the least expensive and watch how fast it'll fill in each year. Here is a link that might be useful: Purple Fountain Grass on sale

Two of the three finally put out new growth. Since they were so small I dug them up and potted them. Seeing new ones at the nursery was hard to resist so I decided to try again. Bought three qt. size pots and 1 gallon "Fireworks". Next winter I'll cover them when hard freezes are predicted. Am still looking for one that's a guaranteed perennial. Something in the 3 foot range. Suggestions?