Ginkgo trees are long-living, drought-tolerant and pest-resistant. This low-maintenance tree might be the perfect addition to your backyard
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Ginkgo trees are often described as living fossils or dinosaur trees, celebrated for their impressive age. Fossils of ginkgo tree leaves have been discovered that date back more than 200 million years. It’s hard to believe that a tree has been around that long in its current form. This is a great example of how trees have evolved and changed over time.
The ginkgo biloba, also known as the ginkgo tree or maidenhair tree, loses its leaves every year. It has beautiful fan-shaped leaves that turn a beautiful golden yellow in the fall, as you can see in the picture below.
In conclusion, if you are looking for backyard ideas this year or maybe you want to add a new tree to the garden borders, why not think about getting the oldest living tree specimen? Its beautiful leaves and shape will make your outdoor space more interesting, and garden guests will love talking about it during barbecue season. ( credit: Getty s/bagapo).
The ginkgo biloba, also known as the maidenhair tree, is a unique and ancient tree species that can live for thousands of years. With its attractive fan-shaped leaves and tolerance of urban conditions, the ginkgo makes an excellent container-grown specimen for gardens big and small
Growing ginkgo trees in pots allows you to have this majestic plant even if you don’t have space to plant it in the ground. With the right care and selection of compact varieties, a potted ginkgo can thrive for decades.
Benefits of Growing Ginkgo in Containers
There are several advantages to growing ginkgo trees in containers:
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Versatility – Pots provide flexibility in placement and allow you to move the tree as needed to provide optimal light, temperature, and protection.
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Size control – Container confinement helps restrict root and canopy growth. This lets you grow ginkgo even in a small courtyard or balcony.
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Ease of care – It’s simpler to water, fertilize, and protect potted ginkgos compared to in-ground specimens. You can also bring them indoors if needed.
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Unique styles – Container-grown ginkgos can be trained into different shapes like standards, cascades, and bonsai forms.
Selecting a Ginkgo Variety for Containers
While some ginkgo varieties reach 60-80 feet tall, there are more compact cultivars better suited to pots:
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‘Tubifolia’ – A dwarf male cultivar that slowly reaches just 4-6 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide.
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‘Mariken’ – This dense, rounded female grows only 4-5 feet high and wide.
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‘Presidential Gold’ – A narrowly columnar male that matures at 10 feet tall by just 2-3 feet wide.
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‘Jade Butterflies’ – Extremely dwarf female reaches only 18 inches high and wide at maturity.
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‘Chi Chi’ – Dense, bushy growth to 6-9 feet high makes this female variety ideal for containers.
Stick to compact, slow-growing varieties under 10 feet tall. Females will produce messy fruit, so choose male cultivars if possible.
Growing Ginkgo Trees in Pots
Follow these tips for success:
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Soil – Use a well-draining potting mix amended with compost or bark. Ginkgos tolerate most soils but best growth occurs in fertile, loamy mixes.
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Pot size – Choose a container that is only slightly larger than the current root ball. Allow 1-2 inches clearance on sides for growth.
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Watering – Ginkgo trees are drought-tolerant once established but need frequent watering as young container plants. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings.
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Sunlight – Place pots in full sun to partial shade. A south-facing location is ideal. Ginkgos can adapt to light shade.
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Fertilizer – Feed with slow-release pellets or monthly doses of balanced liquid fertilizer in spring and summer.
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Pruning – Prune only to maintain shape and remove dead branches. Avoid heavy pruning that stresses container ginkgos.
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Overwintering – Move pots to a protected location if temperatures drop below -10°F. Avoid repotting during winter dormancy.
With excellent drainage, adequate moisture, ample light and regular feeding, potted ginkgos can thrive for decades, creating beautiful living sculptures.
Tips for Growing Healthy Ginkgo Trees in Containers
Follow these additional tips to keep your container ginkgos looking their best:
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Gradually move indoor ginkgo trees outside in spring once temperatures warm. This will harden them off for the growing season.
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Rotate pots regularly to ensure even sunlight exposure and symmetrical growth.
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Prune back any roots that escape from drainage holes to prevent them from becoming rootbound.
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Repot every 2-3 years in early spring using fresh potting mix. Go up just one pot size each time.
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Place pots on rolling plant caddies to make moving them for maintenance easier. Add casters for convenience.
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Monitor for pests like spider mites, scale, and cankerworms. Treat any infestations immediately.
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Protect ginkgos from harsh winter winds if grown outside year-round. Wrap pots or place behind windbreaks.
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Consider grafting varieties onto dwarfing rootstock to further restrict size. ‘Chi Chi’ is commonly used.
With the right care, you can enjoy the unique beauty of ginkgo for many years in patio pots. This ancient survivor adapts readily to container life.
Common Questions About Growing Ginkgos in Containers
Can I grow a ginkgo bonsai tree?
Yes, ginkgo makes an excellent bonsai specimen. Opt for slow-growing cultivars like ‘Tubifolia’ and ‘Jade Butterflies’. Use bonsai clippers and wires to train the shape. Repot annually.
What size pot does a ginkgo tree need?
Select a pot that is 2-4 inches wider than the root ball. For mature 10-foot trees, use at least a 20-inch diameter pot. Dwarf varieties need at least 10-12 inch pots.
How often should I fertilize a potted ginkgo?
Apply slow-release fertilizer tablets every 2-3 months during the growing season. You can also use a dilute liquid feed every 4-6 weeks from early spring to mid-summer.
Can I grow ginkgo indoors as a houseplant?
Ginkgo makes a striking indoor specimen if provided ample sunlight from a south window. Use supplemental lighting to keep growth compact. Maintain temperatures above 60°F for winter dormancy.
With the right variety choice, setup, and care, growing ginkgo biloba in containers can let you enjoy this captivating tree even in a small outdoor space or as an indoor plant.
Growing advice for gingko trees (Image credit: Getty Images/Alvin Huang)
- Soil: Alex Kantor, owner of Perfect Plants Nursery, says that the ginkgo tree is a great ornamental tree for any yard because of its unique fan-shaped leaves that turn bright yellow in the fall. These trees do well in a wide range of soils and can handle living in cities, which is good news for gardeners and homeowners, Alex says. They can grow in clay or poor soils, so gardeners don’t have to worry about whether their soil is right for this tree.
- Light: Alex says that the best place for these cold-hardy trees is in the backyard, in either full sun or partial sun. Remember that ginkgo trees can get up to 60 feet tall and 40 feet wide, so make sure your yard has enough room for this big tree. It’s best to put it somewhere open so it can get plenty of sun.
- Giving your ginkgo tree regular water is important, especially in the first year after planting and when it’s hot or dry. Don’t let the ground get too wet, but keep the soil moist. As the tree grows older and sends down roots, it will gradually be able to handle drought.
- Giving ginkgo trees food: You should give young trees food in the first few years after planting them. This can be done in the spring with the right tree fertilizer, like these Walmart shrub and tree feed spikes. Always follow the directions on the product label, diluting or applying as needed. Your ginkgo tree won’t need to be fed after it grows up.
- Ginkgo trees usually stay narrow when they are young, but they tend to get pretty wide as they get older. They are often thought of as one of the best trees for shade, especially in warmer areas. If you want to keep your ginkgo tree narrow for a small backyard, prune it so that it only has one leader, or trunk, and a few upward branches. According to Alex, ginkgo trees are common in cities around the world because they can handle heat, air pollution, salt, and small spaces. One to two feet per year is how fast they can grow, so trimming them every once in a while is important. Pruning is best done in either the spring or fall.
Alex has worked in horticulture for more than 20 years. He grew up on a farm and has lived there all his life. Alex is an expert on landscape trees, shrubs, and indoor plants. He is passionate about growing and helping others learn the trade.
How to grow a ginkgo tree
Growing the living fossil tree in your backyard will give your garden borders structure and color. Luckily for gardeners, this deciduous tree is hardy and doesn’t need much care. Here, we share expert advice on how to grow a ginkgo tree.