164 gardener saves
Ginkgo: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 14 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Ginkgo varieties
Of 14 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedShangri-la Maidenhair Tree
Ginkgo biloba 'Shangri-La'
#2 most savedMagyar Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba 'Magyar'
#3 most savedChi-Chi Maidenhair Tree
Ginkgo biloba 'Chi-Chi'
Mariken Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba 'Mariken'
Jade Butterfly Maidenhair Tree
Ginkgo biloba 'Jade Butterfly'
Autumn Gold Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba 'Autumn Gold'
Golden Colonnade Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba 'Golden Colonnade'
Princeton Sentry Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba 'Princeton Sentry'
Troll Maidenhair Tree
Ginkgo biloba 'Troll'
Grind Stone Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba 'Grind Stone'
Sky Tower Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba 'Sky Tower'
Saratoga Maidenhair Tree
Ginkgo biloba 'Saratoga'
Browse all 14 Ginkgo varieties →
How to grow Ginkgo
What the Ginkgo varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 14 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Ginkgo year
- PlantMarch, April, September and October100% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall. Tolerates a wide range of soils.
- PruneJanuary and February64% of varieties
Requires minimal pruning; remove any dead or broken branches in winter.
- FertilizeMarch50% of varieties
Fertilize young trees in early spring if growth is slow.
Do
- Provide full sun for best growth and fall color.
- Appreciate its pest-free and disease-free nature.
- Be patient with its slow growth rate.
- Allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings once established.
- Provide full sun for the most vibrant yellow fall color.
Avoid
- Don't worry about pests or diseases; it has virtually none.
- Avoid heavy pruning, as it spoils the natural form.
- Do not plant in poorly drained or waterlogged soils.
- Do not plant a female or unsexed seedling tree in a residential area.
What goes wrong with Ginkgo
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| None | Ginkgo trees are remarkably free from insect pests. | No action is typically required. |
| Mealybugs | White, cottony masses on stems and leaf undersides. Rare on Ginkgo. | Wipe off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil for larger infestations. |
| Generally Pest-Free | This tree is remarkably resistant to insect pests. | No action is typically required. Monitor for general health. |
| None | Ginkgo trees are famously resistant to almost all plant diseases. | No action is typically required. |
| Root Rot | Yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and mushy roots, caused by overly wet soil. | Ensure proper drainage at planting. Allow soil to dry between waterings. No chemical cure. |
| Generally Disease-Free | Ginkgo trees are known for their exceptional resistance to plant diseases. | Ensure good air circulation and proper planting depth to prevent potential root issues. |
Making more Ginkgo
Grafting
- Collect dormant scion wood from 'Sky Tower' in winter.
- In late winter or early spring, graft onto Ginkgo biloba seedling rootstock.
- A bench graft using a whip-and-tongue method is common.
- Wrap the union and keep in a humid environment until the graft takes.
Softwood Cuttings
- Take 4-6 inch cuttings of new growth in early summer.
- Dip in rooting hormone and place in a sand/peat mix.
- Keep under high humidity; rooting is difficult and slow.
Ginkgo questions
How many types of Ginkgo are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 14 distinct Ginkgo varieties. The most popular — ranked by 164 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Ginkgo grow in?
Across its varieties, Ginkgo covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Ginkgo bloom?
Most Ginkgo varieties bloom in mid-spring, early spring, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Ginkgo should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Ginkgo shows up in
Design with Ginkgo in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
