Orchardgrass
Dactylis glomerata · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Pasture/Forage Grass and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Common Orchardgrass, widely utilized for forage and pasture mixtures
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9. Excellent cold tolerance, moderate heat tolerance, well-suited to cool and transition zones.
About This Grass
Forms coarse, dense, upright clumps up to 2-4 feet tall when unmowed. Features bright light green to blue-green foliage, with folded leaves in the bud shoot. Distinctive clustered, one-sided panicle seed heads at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are medium to wide (4-10mm), flat, tapering to a pointed tip. Light green to grayish-green color, folded vernation in bud. Distinct prominent midrib, slightly rough texture. Ligule is a prominent, membranous, jagged structure; auricles absent.
Root System
Deep, fibrous root system extending up to 3-4 feet into the soil. Moderate establishment speed, forms heavy dense clumps rather than spreading sod, low to moderate thatch tendency.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, temperate Asia, and northern Africa; naturalized globally in temperate regions
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) grass with strong vertical tillers, forming distinct, large tufts
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun to partial shade; moderately shade-tolerant compared to other cool-season grasses. Moderate to high water requirement, excellent winter hardiness, and fair drought tolerance due to deep roots.
Mowing & Maintenance
Maintain height at 2.5 to 4 inches for pasture or lawn settings. Requires moderate fertilization (2-4 lbs N/1000 sq ft/year for forage use). Medium maintenance level, can become coarse and stemmy if neglected.
Special Characteristics
High forage yield and palatability when grazed young, good shade tolerance, fair persistence under frequent cutting, but can form undesirable large tussocks in fine turf settings.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Valued for livestock forage, wildlife cover, and soil erosion control on slopes. Can become a weed in manicured lawns or natural areas due to its aggressive clump-forming habit.