Ginkgo biloba 12Ltr pot

Ginkgo biloba – Maidenhair Tree – 12 Litre Pot

A true living fossil, the Maidenhair Tree has remained virtually unchanged for more than 200 million years, and it brings a sense of that ancient character to any garden. Its distinctive fan-shaped leaves, often notched into two lobes, are fresh green through spring and summer before turning a clear, buttery yellow in autumn, lighting up the garden before they fall. Conical and upright when young, it develops a more irregular, characterful crown with age, making it a superb architectural specimen for a lawn, large border or open space.

Ginkgo is exceptionally hardy (RHS H6) and remarkably adaptable, growing happily in chalk, clay, loam or sand, whether acid, neutral or alkaline, provided the soil is well drained. It prefers full sun and copes with both exposed and sheltered positions, and its tolerance of atmospheric pollution has long made it a favourite in towns and cities. It is generally untroubled by pests and needs no routine pruning. Mature female trees can produce yellow fruits with an unpleasant scent in autumn; the seeds inside are harmful if eaten and toxic to pets, so gather fallen fruits promptly and wear gloves when handling them.

Plant in autumn or early spring, stake securely, and water well during dry spells for the first couple of seasons while the roots establish. Growth is steady rather than rapid, but give it room to develop: in time it will reach over 12m in height with a spread of 4–8m.

Each tree is hand-selected before dispatch.