Skip to content
← Plant Database
orchard grass

orchard grass

Dactylis glomerata

grass☀️ full sun💧💧 moderate waterZone 7b – Zone 9b

Orchard grass is a cool-season perennial grass known for its dense, tufted growth and excellent forage quality. It tolerates a range of conditions and is commonly used in pastures, hay fields, and as a lawn grass in cooler climates.

Overview

Form
Upright
Growth Rate
fast
Size
2–4′ tall × 1–2′ wide
Dormancy
semi-evergreen

Tolerances & Soil

moderate

Flood Tolerance

none
Zone 7bZone 9b
1471013
ColderWarmer
Zone range: Zone 7b to Zone 9b

pH Range

5.88.4
7.0
3.556.589
pH range: 5.8 to 8.4

Soil Texture

Coarse, Medium, Fine

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Harvest Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Season of Interest

SpringSummer

Herb

Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.

Succession Role

pioneerearly successional

Native Range

Europe and western Asia

Function & Care

biomass/mulcherosion controlpollinator nectaryedible

Edible Parts

leaf

Establishment & Care

Establishment
easy
Maintenance
low
Propagation
seed, division

Companion Planting

Plants well with