Ginkgo biloba, often simply known as ginkgo or the maidenhair tree is the only surviving genus and species of the Family Ginkgoaceae, a group of prehistoric gymnosperms or seed-bearing plants. Ginkgo trees are commonly called maidenhair trees in reference to the resemblance of their fan-shaped leaves to maidenhair fern leaflets (pinnae).
The oldest ginkgo fossils date back over 270 million years, before the dinosaurs. Besides being the oldest known gymnosperms in the fossil record, ginkgos live longer than many more modern trees. Ginkgos may live over a thousand years, as demonstrated by one in China that is estimated to be over 2,500 years old. (University of Vermont Extension).
Growing in a wide variety of soils and troubled by few, if any, pests, maidenhair trees need full sun and well-drained soil. Ginkgos may grow 10 feet in ten years at first but their growth rate overall is considered slow to medium. Standard gingko trees eventually may reach 50 to 80 feet tall and from 30 feet to 80 feet across. It has fan-shaped leaves with parallel veins, which turn a vibrant gold in the fall.Tolerant of salt, drought and air pollution as well as acidic and alkaline soils, ginkgos grow well in climates from Iceland to Australia. Ginkgo trees are dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female trees. The female trees produce seeds that are often considered malodorous when they fall and decay.
In various cultures, especially in East Asia, Ginkgo is revered. In China, it’s associated with longevity and is often planted near temples and significant buildings.
Types of Ginko Varieties
Autumn Gold Ginko
This tree reaches heights of 50 feet or more at maturity. It has a pyramidal shape when young, becoming more oval or rounded with age. The leaves turn a brilliant gold in the autumn, providing a spectacular display. Unlike some other Ginkgo varieties, ‘Autumn Gold’ tends to change color more uniformly.
Autumn Gold’ is a male cultivar, which means it does not produce the messy and sometimes malodorous fruits that female Ginkgo trees do. Once established, it is quite drought-resistant, but regular watering during the first few years can help it establish a strong root system.
Princeton Sentry Ginko
Unlike the more common spreading form of Ginkgo trees, ‘Princeton Sentry’ grows in a narrow, upright column. It can reach heights of 40 to 50 feet (12-15 meters) but only spreads about 15 feet (4.5 meters) wide. Like other Ginkgo varieties, ‘Princeton Sentry’ features fan-shaped leaves that turn a vibrant golden-yellow in the fall.
The foliage is dense. This cultivar is male, which means it does not produce the potentially messy and malodorous fruits typical of female Ginkgo trees. Its narrow form makes it ideal for urban settings where space is at a premium, such as along streets, in narrow parkways, or in small garden plots.
Mariken Ginkgo
Mariken’ was discovered as a witch’s broom on a standard Ginkgo tree in Holland. Witch’s brooms are dense, brush-like clusters of shoots arising from a single point on a tree, often due to genetic mutation or environmental stress.
‘Mariken’ is characterized by its very slow growth and compact, spreading form. It’s often described as having a somewhat weeping or pendulous nature. Over the first decade, it might only reach about 2 feet in height and width, eventually growing to around 3 feet tall by 8 feet wide.
Like all Ginkgo trees, ‘Mariken’ features the iconic fan-shaped leaves. These leaves turn a brilliant golden-yellow in the fall. This cultivar is male, it does not produce the messy and malodorous fruits associated with female Ginkgo trees. Mariken’ is ideal for small gardens, rock gardens, or as a bonsai.
Pendula Ginkgo
‘Pendula’ has a distinctive weeping form, with branches that arch and droop towards the ground, giving it a very different silhouette compared to the typical upright Ginkgo trees. It can grow to be quite large, potentially reaching heights of 20 to 30 feet (6-9 meters) with a spread that can be equally wide or even wider, depending on how it’s trained or pruned.
This cultivar is male. It’s particularly effective near water features or in Japanese-style gardens where the weeping form echoes traditional aesthetics. Once established, it’s relatively drought-tolerant, though regular watering during the initial years helps in establishing a robust root system.
Fastigiata Ginko
Unlike the typical spreading form of many Ginkgo trees, ‘Fastigiata’ grows in a narrow, upright column. It reaches a height of about 40-50 feet (12-15 meters) but remains relatively narrow, with a spread of about 10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters). Like all Ginkgos, it has distinctive fan-shaped leaves that turn a brilliant yellow in the fall. The leaves are unique because they have parallel veins and a dichotomous venation pattern, which is quite rare in seed plants.
It’s a slow to moderate grower, which makes it manageable for smaller gardens or as a street tree. ‘Fastigiata’ is male in characteristics. These trees can tolerate pollution, compacted soil, and are resistant to pests and diseases.
Variegata Ginko
Ginkgo biloba ‘Variegata’ features leaves that are variegated with patches or edges of yellow or cream, contrasting with the typical green. Like other Ginkgo trees, this cultivar is relatively slow-growing but can eventually reach significant heights, often up to 50 feet or more under ideal conditions. This male cultivar of Ginkgo is practically pest- free, resistant to storm damage, and casts dense shade. When the leaves do drop, they drop rapidly, forming a golden carpet around the tree.
Santa Cruz Ginkgo
This cultivar has an umbrella-shaped, wide-spreading crown which gives it a unique silhouette in the landscape. Its leaves are typical of Ginkgo biloba, fan-shaped with dichotomous venation, but the growth habit sets it apart from other varieties. The Santa Cruz variety grows to a height of about 15 feet, making it more manageable for urban or smaller garden settings compared to the standard Ginkgo which can grow much taller.
Its tolerance for pollution and harsh urban conditions, it’s suitable for city landscapes. Being a male cultivar, it avoids the issue of fruit drop, which can be a nuisance in urban environments due to the smell when the fruit decays.
Samurai Ginkgo
The Samurai Ginkgo is notable for its narrow, columnar growth habit, which makes it ideal for spaces where a traditional spreading tree might not fit. It has the classic fan-shaped leaves of the Ginkgo, which turn a brilliant golden-yellow in the fall. The ‘Samurai’ ginkgo will reach about 14 feet high by 19 feet wide in 10 years and ultimately can become a 50 foot tall by 30 feet wide but remains quite narrow.
Like other Ginkgo trees, the Samurai Ginkgo carries the rich cultural heritage associated with Ginkgos, often symbolizing longevity, resilience, and beauty in adversity. Ideal for city streets or small urban lots where space is at a premium, yet there’s a desire for tree canopy.
Lakeview Ginko
The ‘Lakeview’ cultivar is noted for its symmetrical, pyramidal shape, which grows to about 50 feet tall and 20 to 25 feet wide. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3A through 8A, its tolerance to a wide range of climates, from quite cold to moderately warm. Like other Ginkgos, ‘Lakeview’ offers spectacular fall color, with leaves turning a vivid yellow before they drop. However, the fall color display might be brief as the leaves tend to fall quickly.
Jade Butterflies Ginkgo
This cultivar is noted for its slow to moderate growth, ultimately reaching a height of about 8 to 12 feet with a spread of 6 to 10 feet. Its form is described as upright and vase-shaped. The leaves of ‘Jade Butterflies’ are deeply bi-lobed, which, with their particularly brilliant green color, give the impression of jade butterflies, hence the name. This foliage turns into a uniform, showy golden yellow in the fall.
It’s hardy in USDA zones 3a to 9b, indicating a wide tolerance for different climates. ‘Jade Butterflies’ thrives in full sun to mostly sunny conditions and can adapt to various soil types, including compacted, alkaline, or acidic soils.
‘Jade Butterflies’ is a male clone. It is perfect for smaller landscapes where the classic Ginkgo fall color is desired without the space requirement of a full-sized tree. Its dense form and slow growth rate also make it suitable for bonsai or container gardening for those interested in more intricate plant care.
Spring Grove Ginko
Spring Grove has a columnar to narrow-pyramidal growth habit. It is for tight spaces or as a street tree where a vertical accent is desired without taking up much lateral space. It grows to a height of about 40 to 50 feet with a spread of only 15 to 20 feet. The leaves of ‘Spring Grove’ are typical of Ginkgo biloba, with a fan shape, but this cultivar might exhibit slightly more uniform or dense foliage compared to the species. Like other Ginkgos, it turns a brilliant yellow in the fall. Spring Grove’ is a male cultivar.
It is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8, showing a good tolerance to cold and a variety of soil conditions. Spring Grove’ an ideal candidate for urban environments.