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Brilliant golden autumn foliage of the maidenhair treeTrees

Ginkgo biloba

Maidenhair Tree

autumn colourliving fossilurban-tolerantunique foliagedisease-free

The Maidenhair Tree is a living fossil with unique, fan-shaped leaves that turn brilliant gold in autumn and drop almost simultaneously — a breathtaking spectacle. Extremely hardy, tolerant of urban conditions, and virtually pest- and disease-free.

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Before
After

Characteristics

Sun
Full sun
Water
Medium
Height
1000–2500 cm
Spread
500–1000 cm
Hardiness zone
3–9
Family
Ginkgoaceae
Evergreen
No
Flower colors
yellow-green

Bloom period

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Care guide

Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Highly adaptable, tolerating poor, dry, and polluted urban conditions. Water young trees regularly. Choose male cultivars to avoid the foul-smelling fruit of female trees.

Pruning tips

Prune as little as possible — ginkgo develops its own characteristic form. Remove any dead or damaged wood in winter. Formative pruning is only needed on young trees to establish good structure.

Good companions

Red and green palmate leaves of a Japanese maple in an autumn gardenTrees

Acer palmatum

Japanese Maple

The Japanese maple is a graceful tree or large shrub with deeply lobed, palmate leaves that turn spectacular shades of red, orange, or gold in autumn. Its elegant growth habit makes it a focal point in any garden. Hundreds of cultivars exist, from compact and rounded to broad and spreading.

Partial shadeMedium200–800 cm
White trunk of a Silver Birch with fine pendulous branchesTrees

Betula pendula

Silver Birch

Silver Birch is a graceful, fast-growing tree with striking white bark that peels in thin layers over the years. The fine, pendulous branches give the tree an airy, elegant silhouette. In autumn, the small triangular leaves turn bright yellow.

Full sunMedium1000–2500 cm
Spectacular autumn colour of sweet gum in red, orange, and goldTrees

Liquidambar styraciflua

Sweet Gum

Sweet Gum is a majestic deciduous tree with star-shaped leaves that turn spectacularly in autumn to shades of red, orange, purple, and gold — often all at once on the same tree. Corky bark on older branches adds extra interest. One of the finest trees for autumn colour.

Full sunMedium1000–2500 cm