Orchardgrass
Dactylis glomerata · Cool-season (C3), Perennial
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Pasture/Forage Grass, Hay Grass, sometimes considered a weed in manicured turf
Variety / Cultivar
Common Orchardgrass (generic variety likely based on naturalized growth)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9. Excellent cold tolerance; goes dormant during hot, dry summer periods but recovers quickly with moisture.
About This Grass
A tall, coarse, clump-forming grass that grows 2 to 4 feet tall if not mowed. It has a distinct greyish-green to blue-green color. The most identifying feature is the panicle seed head, which has primary branches with spikelets clustered in dense, one-sided bunches at the ends of the branches, resembling a bird's foot or 'cocksfoot'.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium to coarse (4-8mm wide), flat or V-shaped in cross-section, with a prominent midrib. The tips are pointed and sharply keeled. Color is dusty blue-green. Vernation is folded in the bud. It has a very long, prominent, white membranous ligule (3-8mm) with a frayed top; auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep, aggressive, fibrous root system. It does not form a dense sod due to its bunching habit but is extremely effective at soil stabilization in clumps. It has relatively fast establishment compared to other perennial cool-season grasses.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia; widely naturalized across North America, particularly in the Pacific Northwest and Northeast
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); lacks rhizomes or stolons, spreads primarily via seed
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (very shade tolerant for a forage grass); moderate water needs with excellent drought resistance once established due to deep roots; prefers well-drained fertile soils with pH 5.8-7.0.
Mowing & Maintenance
For hay/pasture, maintain at 3-6 inches; for ornamental/rough areas, mow infrequent as needed. Fertilization: 100-150 lbs N per acre per year for forage production. Maintenance level: Medium (high productivity requires management).
Special Characteristics
Extremely shade tolerant; high palatability for livestock; good wear tolerance in pasture settings; susceptible to leaf rust and purple leaf spot; excellent early spring growth and rapid recovery after grazing/cutting.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized; provides significant cover for ground-nesting birds and high-quality forage for deer and elk; often seeded with legumes like alfalfa or clover; can be invasive in native prairie restorations due to aggressive clump growth.