Species common names
Green couch (Australia); Bermudagrass (USA)

Cultivar name
Wintergreen

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Originated from a bowling green at Nyngan, New South Wales. Selected from an extensive collection of Cynodon dactylon clones made during the 1970s by the Australian Turf Research Institute (ATRI) as part of a long-term selection program. Evaluated by ATRI and Qualturf over the six-year period prior to release in 1983-84. Breeder: Peter McMaugh, Sydney.

Australia (widely used by the Australian turf industry for over 20 years; available from most turf sod producers).

None. Release pre-dates introduction of PBR in Australia under the Plant Variety Rights Act 1987. US Plant Patent PP6,278 (application lodged 3 February 1986; granted 6 September 1988) expired as more than 20 years from date of application.

Texture
Fine.

Description
Bright emerald green leaves. Leaf length (fourth internode) is 5-11 mm. Leaf width (fourth internode) is 1.9-2.6 mm. (Data from ´Winter Gem´ PBR growing trial.)

Use
Sportsfields, domestic and commercial lawns, parks, golf course fairways and general landscaping.

Mowing height
Best at 15-25 mm. Down to 6 mm (with a cylinder mower).

Method of propagation
Vegetative sod, sprigging.

Preferred soil types
Sandy to clay loams (pH 6-8) maintained with good nitrogen fertility (as per other Cynodon dactylon cultivars).

Heat
Good

Cold
Maintains good turf quality during winter from southern Queensland to Victoria. Top growth killed by heavy frosts. Good winter colour retention under light frosts.

Shade
Poor. Best in full sun like all Cynodon dactylon genotypes. Requires a minimum of 70% full sunlight to avoid loss of sward density.

Drought
Good tolerance of dry conditions.

Salinity
Low-moderate salinity tolerance. Among the least salt-tolerant of the green couch cultivars tested to date.

Wear
Fair. Less tolerant of wear than other green couch cultivars like Grand Prix, Legend and Conquest.

Herbicide sensitivity
DSMA and MSMA can be used to remove other grasses. A wide range of herbicides can be safely used to remove broadleaf weeds. Use only registered herbicides in accordance with the label.

Lawn grubs (army worm, sod webworm) during summer and autumn.

• Ford, P, Nickson, D, Fitzgerald, P and Loch, D (2006) Evaluation of saline tolerant grasses and reclaimed water use for golf course irrigation. Milestone Report No. 3, Smart Water Fund (Round 2) project. Victorian Golf Association. 20 pp.