Orchardgrass
Dactylis glomerata · Cool-season (C3), Perennial
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Pasture/Forage Grass, Erosion Control, and occasionally used as a Meadow Ornamental
Variety / Cultivar
Common Orchardgrass (generic pasture/forage types)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-9; excellent cold tolerance; goes dormant in extreme heat but recovers quickly in fall.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, tall-growing bunchgrass. It grows 24-40 inches tall if unmowed. It is characterized by its distinct blue-green to grayish-green color and unique, one-sided, clumped seed head clusters that resemble a bird's foot.
Blade Characteristics
Wide blades (up to 8mm), flat or slightly V-shaped, with a prominent midrib. Tips are sharply pointed. Color is distinct blue-green. Vernation is folded in the bud. Ligule is long (3-6mm), membranous, and often lacerate; auricles are absent.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system; no rhizomes; slow to establish compared to ryegrass but very stable once mature; low thatch tendency; high drought tolerance due to root depth.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa; widely naturalized across North America in temperate regions
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); lacks rhizomes or stolons; grows in dense, distinct tussocks
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to full sun (shade tolerant compared to other forage grasses); requires 4-6 hours sun minimum; moderate water needs; highly drought-tolerant once established.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal for hay or pasture, requires rotational grazing. If maintained as turf, mow at 3-4 inches. Fertilization: 100-150 lbs N per acre for pasture. Maintenance: Medium (primarily for agricultural use).
Special Characteristics
Highly palatable for livestock; excellent shade tolerance for a cool-season grass; susceptible to leaf rust; great for erosion control on slopes.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in North America; provides significant nesting cover and food for ground-nesting birds and forage for wildlife; can be mildly invasive in native prairies.