Hallmark Orchardgrass
- Hallmark is no longer in production
- High Quality Forage or Hay
- Recommended With Legumes
- Rust Has Been Noted
- Earlier Maturity than Arid & Potomac
- pH Requirement: 5.5 +
Min. to Max. Annual Precipitation
44in.
Average Max. Height
Hallmark Orchardgrass (dactilis glomerata) is an early maturing, vigorous, high yielding grass. It is a consistent producer for hay, forage, and is a common ingredient in many pasture mixes. Good cool-season pasture grass and will grow to a height of 3.5-4 feet. Demonstrates excellent hardiness and persistence. Exhibits early spring growth and fall, making it a candidate for spring/summer cutting and fall pasture.
Hallmark is no longer in production and is not available. It is listed here for historical purposes.
Hallmark Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) was developed in Indiana and released in 1969 by the Farmers Forage Research Cooperative. It is early maturing, vigorous, high yielding, and has good resistance to leaf disease and good seed yields. Superior clones of ‘Boone’ and ‘Potomac’ were selected to form Hallmark.
Hallmark is commonly used. It is a consistent producer for hay and forage. It is a common ingredient in many pasture mixes. It is comparable to Potomac and Sterling orchard grass but matures earlier than both. Hallmark Orchardgrass (dactylis glomerata) is one of the earliest maturing orchard grass varieties. It is a good cool season pasture grass and will grow to a height of 3.5-4 feet.
Hallmark orchardgrass is very leafy early to medium variety. Demonstrates excellent hardiness and persistence. Performs very well from the Pacific Northwest through the central plains to the mid Atlantic states. It is widely adapted.
Hallmark exhibits early spring growth and strong growth in the fall, making it an excellent candidate for spring/summer cutting and fall pasture. It combines well with legumes.
- pH Requirement: 5.5 +
- High Quality Forage or Hay
- Recommended With Legumes
- Rust Has Been Noted
- Earlier Maturity than Arid & Potomac
***Click on the “Quick Plant Facts” tab above for more information.
Available Orchardgrass Cultivars:
| Variety | Maturity | Notes: |
|---|---|---|
| Paiute | Early | Drought tolerant. Common in dryland pastures, reclamation, erosion control. |
| Hallmark | Early | High Yielding |
| Benchmark Plus | Early | Persists under heavy use, superior forage. Superior for grazing. |
| Potomac | Early-Mid | Excellent early variety. |
| Quickdraw | Early-Mid | Fast recover after cutting. Tolerates heat. |
| Pawnee Orchardgrass | Mid | Widely adapted, drought and grazing tolerant. |
| Crown Royal | Mid-Late | Fast recovery after cutting, tolerates heat. |
| Extend | Mid-Late | Ideal for alfalfa & clover mixes. Superior yield. |
| Blizzard | Late | Superior winter survival. Widely adapted, excellent forage yield. |
| Sunset Orchardgrass | Late | Excellent for use with hay, clover or pasture mixes. Improved foliar disease resistance. |
| Sundown Orchardgrass | Late | Aggressive tillering and fast re-growth. Maturity is similar to that of Pennlate. |
| Latar | Late | Old variety with limited availability. Extend, Quickdraw, Sunset and Sundown are improved varieties. |
ORCHARDGRASS
(Dactylis glomerata)
Orchardgrass NRCS Plant Guide and Fact Sheet
Orchardgrass NRCS Plant Guide and Fact Sheet
PDF version of NRCS Plant Guide & Fact Sheet
Prepared By: Tony Bush USDA NRCS Rose Lake PMC East Lansing, Michigan
Dan Ogle USDA NRCS Idaho State Office Boise, Idaho
Loren St. John USDA NRCS Aberdeen PMC Aberdeen, Idaho
Mark Stannard USDA NRCS Pullman PMC Pullman, Washington
Dr. Kevin B. Jensen USDA ARS Forage and Range Research Laboratory, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
Species Coordinator: Mark Stannard USDA NRCS Pullman Plant Materials Center
Pullman, Washington
ORCHARDGRASS
(Dactylis glomerata)
Orchardgrass Variety Trial 2005
Orchardgrass Variety Trial 2005
Research in the Klamath Basin
Prepared By: Richard J. Roseberg and Jim E. Smith
ORCHARDGRASS
(Dactylis glomerata)
Orchardgrass Hay Production Guide for the Columbia Basin of Washington
Orchardgrass Hay Production Guide for the Columbia Basin of Washington
Prepared By: John L Kugler, WSU Grant/Adams County Extension
ORCHARDGRASS
(Dactylis glomerata)
Orchardgrass NRCS Plant Materials Technical Note
Orchardgrass NRCS Plant Materials Technical Note
An introduced Conservation Grass for Use in Montana and Wyoming
Prepared By: Roger M. Hybner, Research Agronomist, NRCS, Plant Materials Center, Bridger, Montana
Susan Winslow, Agronomist, NRCS, Plant Materials Center, Bridger, Montana
Helpful Links
Additional information about this product can be found on the academic websites linked below.
Synonyms
Many plants have more than one common and scientific name. We've listed a few of them below.
- Hallmark Orchardgrass
- Dactylis glomerata
Who is Great Basin Seed?
Great Basin Seed is a seed company that specializes in seed sales and consultation for home, ranch, farm, range and reclamation. We have been a leader in the seed industry since 1974.
Our History
We've been in the seed business since 1974.
What We Offer
We offer seed for home, farm, ranch, range and reclamation projects.
Meet the Gang
We have the best employees in the world! We are proud of the work they do, and trust them to serve you!
Right: Company founder Lloyd and his wife Paula Stevens in a wildflower seed production field circa 1977
Quick Plant Facts
| Common Name: | Hallmark Orchardgrass |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | |
| Lifespan: | |
| Plant Type: | |
| pH Tolerance: | |
| Seed Count | 540,000 |
| Root Form | Sodformer |
| Sowing Rate | 2-4 PLS lbs. per Acre |
| Min. Precipitation | 16 Inches Minimum |
| Best Sowing Time | Fall or Spring |
| Max Sowing Depth: | |
| Growth Season: | |
| Sun & Shade Tolerance: | Full sun, Partial shade |
| Elevation of Occurance: | |
| Hardiness Zones: |
