The Ginkgo is naturally one of the toughest trees out there, and it really doesn’t ask for much. That said, if you pick the right spot and give it some quality soil, your “maidenhair tree” will truly thrive and reach its full potential.
The Perfect Spot
Ginkgos absolutely love a bright, sunny location. Plenty of sunlight encourages even, balanced growth. If you tuck your tree away in a shady corner, it’s going to focus all its energy on stretching upward to find the light. This usually results in a “leggy” tree that struggles to develop that beautiful, full crown we all love.
Even with regular pruning, it’s pretty tough to force a shade-grown Ginkgo into a symmetrical shape. If you’re stuck with a shady spot, your best bet is to train it as a columnar tree. In this case, you’d prune away the side branches and let the vertical growth do its thing.
Prepping Your Garden Soil
The good news is that the soil doesn’t need any fancy prep work. The main thing to remember is that it needs to be loose and well-draining—Ginkgos hate “wet feet” (standing water). If your garden soil is heavy or prone to puddling, you should create a drainage layer at the bottom of your planting hole using coarse gravel or stones. Throw a thin layer of soil over the rocks, and you’re ready to plant.
You can simply use the native garden soil you dug out of the hole. These trees are very hardy and can handle even poor-quality soil. However, if you want to give your Ginkgo a little “VIP treatment,” try mixing some compost and a handful of horn shavings into the soil. A little fertilizer gives the tree a great head start in its new home, helping it establish itself much faster.
Growing Ginkgos in Pots
Because the Ginkgo responds so well to pruning, it’s actually a fantastic candidate for container gardening. If you’re growing one in a pot, just keep an eye on it during the winter. Since the roots are more exposed in a container, you’ll want to protect them from hard freezes or move the pot into a frost-free indoor space until spring.
Quick Guide for Potting Your Ginkgo:
- Line the bottom of the pot with about an inch (2 cm) of expanded clay pebbles for drainage.
- Fill with a high-quality potting soil.
- Place your Ginkgo in the center and press the soil down firmly.
- Give it a good, thorough watering.
