14 named cultivars

tree

Ginkgo

$111.95

The Story

Plant Bio

Ginkgo biloba is a large deciduous tree native to south-central and southeast China, reaching fifty to eighty feet with a pyramidal crown that broadens with age. Its fan-shaped leaves are unlike any other tree's — emerald green, two to three inches across, borne in clusters of three to five — and turn a uniform clear gold in autumn before dropping almost overnight.

It is the sole survivor of a lineage over two hundred million years old, with no living relatives. Female trees produce a fleshy seed coat that smells strongly of rancid butter when it falls and causes dermatitis on contact, so buy a named male selection — every widely sold cultivar is male for exactly this reason.

Uses & Benefits:

Unmistakable fan-shaped leaves and uniform clear-gold autumn colour that drops in a single fall.

Exceptionally tolerant of pollution, salt, compaction, drought and urban conditions.

Few pests or diseases, and it supports little wildlife — its value is as a tough urban tree rather than a habitat one.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

780 inches

Width

420 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

South-central and southeast China

Toxicity

Toxic if ingested

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Fast Growing Trees

In Stock$111.95

PlantingTree

In Stock$114.95

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Planting

How to Grow

Plant in autumn or early spring in deep, well-drained soil.
Choose full sun and allow thirty to forty feet of spread.
Buy a named male clone to avoid the fruit.
Water through the first two seasons.
Prune only to remove dead or crossing wood, in late winter.
Expect slow growth for the first decade.

Pro Tip

Only plant a named male clone — a seedling has a fifty per cent chance of being female, and you will not know until it fruits twenty years later.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Buy a named male selection ♂️
Plant in full sun with good drainage ☀️
Allow room for a large mature tree 🌳
Be patient; growth is slow at first ⏳

Don't

Plant an unsexed seedling ❌
Site a female tree near paths or drives ❌
Expect fast growth in the early years ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Monitor
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Street and urban treeLarge lawn or park specimenAutumn-colour focal point

Companion Plants

Japanese Maple Serviceberry HostaChristmas Fern Hydrangea

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Ginkgo questions

What zones can Ginkgo grow in?

Ginkgo is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Ginkgo deer resistant?

Yes — Ginkgo is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Ginkgo bloom?

Ginkgo typically blooms in spring through mid-spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Ginkgo need full sun?

Ginkgo does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Ginkgo drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Ginkgo handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.