Timothy is an introduced cool-season grass from Europe and Asia, likely brought to America by early colonists. It remains one of the best-known hay grasses and is especially prized as premium horse hay. It is a clump-forming bunchgrass with erect stems 20 to 40 inches tall, swollen bulb-like bases, and dense, cylindrical, spike-like seed heads in June and early July. Timothy is a relatively short-lived perennial that grows best in cool, humid conditions on fertile clay to loam soils with a pH of about 5.5 to 7.0. It does well on moist sites and somewhat poorly drained land, tolerates partial shade, and does not tolerate drought or alkaline soil. It makes a good companion grass for clovers and alfalfa in hay and pasture, and it provides nesting, brood-rearing, and escape cover for wildlife. Seed 3 to 6 lb per acre alone or 1 to 3 lb per acre in mixtures, no deeper than 1/2 inch.

Quick facts

• Height: 20–40 in
• Sun: Full to Partial
• Soil moisture: Medium-Wet to Medium
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Notes: Cool-season, Bunchgrass, Short-lived perennial, Premium horse hay
• Native range: Introduced forage / cover crop species (not native)