As Other Trees Flicker Through Autumn Shades, Ginkgo Turns A Clear, Steady Gold That Lights Up The Whole Garden.

Distinctive Fan-Shaped Foliage

From spring onwards, Ginkgo carries its history in its leaves. Each one is shaped like a little fan, with fine veins fanning out from the stem in a way quite unlike most other garden trees. In early season the fresh green leaves look almost delicate, fluttering in the breeze; by high summer they form a serene, layered canopy that filters light beautifully. Up close, the pattern of veins and the subtle texture of each fan invite a closer look, making this a tree you really want near a path or seating area.

  • Distinctive Fan-Shaped Foliage
  • Glorious Golden Autumn Colour
  • Tough, Long-Lived And Surprisingly Adaptable

Ginkgo at a Glance:

Common name: Maidenhair Tree.

Latin name: Ginkgo.

Size in UK gardens: Often 6–10m tall and 3–5m wide over many years; some forms stay more slender, and size can be managed with thoughtful pruning.

Best position: A sunny, reasonably open spot with enough room for its graceful crown to develop without crowding buildings or other trees.

Soil: Most well‑drained garden soils, ideally deep and reasonably fertile; happiest where winter waterlogging is avoided.

Main interest: Distinctive fan‑shaped leaves that turn a glorious clear yellow in autumn, plus an elegant winter outline and ancient heritage.

Fragrance: Leaves and flowers are usually not noticeably scented; fallen fruits on female trees can smell unpleasant if allowed to ripen on the ground.

Hardiness: Fully hardy throughout the UK, including inland areas such as Cambridgeshire and East Anglia, once established.

Care level: Moderate; very tough and tolerant once settled, but needs a well‑chosen position and occasional light pruning as it matures.
Some of our team!

Home-grown, backed by local specialists.

The Simpson’s team raises the majority of our trees here at the nursery. For varieties outside our own production, we work with independent local growers we trust - all chosen for UK climate suitability.

Ginkgo Care at a Glance:

Planting time: As a container‑grown tree, Ginkgo can be planted in most months when the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged, with spring and autumn usually the most comfortable times for new roots to settle.

Watering: Water regularly in the first few years, especially in dry spells, so the root system can establish deeply. Mature trees in the ground usually only need extra water in prolonged drought.

Feeding: In decent garden soil it rarely needs heavy feeding; a mulch of garden compost or well‑rotted manure in spring is generally enough to keep it growing steadily.

Pruning: Needs very little pruning once a good framework is formed; just remove dead, damaged or poorly placed branches, ideally in late summer or winter. Avoid frequent heavy cutting which can spoil its natural shape.

Winter: Fully hardy and leafless in winter, Ginkgo normally requires no special protection in the ground. A mulch over the root area is helpful for young trees in colder or exposed sites.

Varieties We Usually Stock

Availability is always changing, so please check with us if you have a particular variety in mind.

Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba 'Autumn Gold'

Ginkgo biloba 'Menhir'

A truly distinctive tree, with fan-shaped leaves arranged like little green butterflies along the branches. The outline is poised and architectural, and in autumn the foliage turns a clear, glowing butter-yellow—often all at once—creating one of the most unforgettable seasonal displays in the garden.

A reliable selection grown for its strong form and that famous ginkgo autumn colour: a pure, luminous yellow that seems to light up from within. The fan-shaped leaves add crisp texture through summer, and the tree makes a superb statement specimen with a clean, composed presence.

A narrow, upright ginkgo with a strong vertical habit—perfect when you want ginkgo character but have limited space. The fan-shaped foliage gives neat texture through summer, then turns brilliant gold in autumn. A superb architectural accent for modern gardens, avenues, and tighter planting spots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ginkgo can be suitable for small and medium gardens if you choose the right form and position it carefully. The straight species can become a sizeable tree over many years, so in very small plots it’s often better to opt for a more compact or columnar cultivar. Planted where it has room to grow up and out without clashing with buildings or overhead lines, it can be a lovely focal point even in a modest garden. A young ginkgo also grows relatively slowly at first, giving you time to enjoy it as it develops.

In typical UK conditions, a Ginkgo biloba tree often reaches 6–10m in height in a garden setting over a couple of decades, with a spread of 3–5m, though ultimate size can be greater in very favourable sites. Growth is usually moderate, rather than extremely fast – young trees may add 20–40cm of height a year once established. Named dwarf or columnar forms stay smaller and narrower. Thoughtful pruning, especially in the early years, can help guide the shape and keep the tree in proportion to the space you have.

Yes, especially if you choose a compact or slow‑growing cultivar. In a generous container filled with a peat‑free, loam‑based compost, a young ginkgo can grow happily for many years on a patio or in a small courtyard. Place the pot in full sun or light shade, water when the top of the compost begins to dry, and feed modestly in spring. Over time, you may need to refresh the compost and, eventually, either move to a larger container or plant into the ground, but as a long‑term potted feature it can be very successful.

Ginkgo is fully hardy across the UK and, once established, surprisingly undemanding. The main care needs are sensible watering in the first few years, a yearly mulch to keep the soil in good condition, and occasional light pruning to remove damaged or poorly placed branches. It tolerates cold winters, summer heat and even city pollution quite well. The key is to avoid planting it in badly waterlogged or very compacted soil, and to give it enough space to grow into its natural shape. With those basics in place, it’s a very forgiving and long‑lived tree.