Ginkgo biloba

Common names: Ginkgo, Maidenhair Tree

Ginkgo bilobas are ancient plants with some species recorded in fossil records to be over 270 million years old! They are often referred to as ‘living fossils’ as they still exist and flourish today. Ginkgos are long lived and often grow for well over 100 years… some specimens exist in China that are estimated to be over 1,000 years old. They are extremely hardy to pollution and poisoning, in fact they were the only plant that survived the atomic bombs of Hiroshima!

Features:

• Deciduous Conifers
• Very slow growing
• Grow up to 12m high x 5m wide, becoming broader and more expansive with age
• Very distinctive fan-shaped, double-lobed, deeply notched leaves
• Leaves are a rich green colour, before turning bright yellow in Autumn
• Edible fruit kernels
• Male and female plants
• Can grow in almost any position, ideally full sun or part shade
• Very hardy, can handle poor conditions, snow and frost
• Resistant to pests and diseases

Maintenance:

Young trees need deep, regular watering while they establish. Until they are about 3–5 years old it’s best to cultivate them in pots and hibernate inside during Winter and also protect from strong winds. No real need to fertilize. Ginkgos don’t cope well with replanting. Older trees thrive with virtually no care requirements.

Uses of Ginkgos:

• Great feature tree in gardens
• Medicinal uses
• Sacred plants in monasteries
• Street tree (popular in London)
• Leaves can be used to make tea

The Secret Garden have lots of Ginkgo trees available for sale now from as little as $8. Why not add a ‘living fossil’ to your garden?

For more information please call us on 0414 784 460