Orchardgrass
Dactylis glomerata · Cool-season, perennial, C3
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Pasture
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3 through 9, exhibiting good cold hardiness and moderate heat tolerance with semi-dormancy during dry summer spells.
About This Grass
Forms upright clumps up to four feet tall with a pale green to bluish-gray color and distinctive clustered, dense panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Wide, flat, folded in the bud with prominent flattened stems, pointed tips, and a membranous prominent ligule without auricles.
Growing Information
Growth Habit
Densely tufted bunchgrass with slow-spreading short rhizomes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to partial shade with moderate moisture requirements and moderate drought tolerance in well-drained fertile soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Requires frequent mowing at higher settings of three to four inches for pasture or forage management, needing moderate maintenance.