Ginkgo Biloba – The Maidenhair Tree.
Ginkgo Biloba is cultivated in China to supply the leaves for herbal medicine. The leaves contain Ginkgolides, which are used to improve blood circulation, and is one of the most widely used herbal supplements in the world.
It`s also one of the oldest living tree species, believed to have been around for millions of years, and has survived every major climatic change. It even survived the atomic destruction of Hiroshima, where although being completely blown apart above ground, it regrew over time and there`s a shrine dedicated to it near the epicentre of the blast.
Naturally it`s a large deciduous tree, reaching heights up to 40 metres.
Each tree has male or female flowers, male flowers catkin-like, hang down, female flowers are smaller on pedicels.
Do consider where you plant your Ginkgo in the garden as it will live for a very long time, and will eventually make a sizeable tree.
They readily adapt to being grown in a pot and can be kept for many years with a little extra care.
Use a pot no more than twice the size of the nursery pot that it came in.
Preferably use a good quality compost with extra grit for drainage. John Innes No. 3 is ideal.
Just remember to keep container grown plants well-watered while in full leaf, and don`t rely on the rain as most of the water will not make it in to the pot, as it will be shielded by the leaf canopy above.
Plant in full sun to partial shade.
Prune if required in January or February, before new growth.
