GINKGO biloba ‘Saratoga’

Description

The Plant

The GINKGO biloba ‘Saratoga’ distinguishes itself from other maidenhair trees with its unique foliage. Indeed, the green and bilobed leaves have a particularly deep division with two rather fine lobes (see photos). They are slightly weeping.

In autumn, its leaves turn a lovely golden yellow (see photos) and thus bring a beautiful glow to the garden. They then fall almost simultaneously, creating a splendid golden carpet at the foot of the plant.

This maidenhair tree grows even slower and much smaller than the typical species. It generally does not exceed 4 meters after 10 years, while the typical species will already have reached 6 to 7 meters. It develops a rather slender and regular graphic form.

Finally, the GINKGO biloba ‘Saratoga’ is a male selection. As a result, it does not produce malodorous fruits. It is particularly resistant to urban pollution and cold winters.

History and Origin

The Saratoga Horticultural Research Foundation (SHRF) in California selected this exceptional cultivar in 1975. This foundation introduced numerous cultivars of shade creating cultivars.

Furthermore, the GINKGO biloba ‘Saratoga’ was specifically developed to solve the problem of dirty and malodorous fruits.

The SHRF introduced it to the market in 1976. It is named after the city of Saratoga in California, where the foundation was headquartered.

In addition, the typical species, GINKGO biloba, dates back more than 270 million years and was at its peak in the Jurassic period in the presence of dinosaurs. While most of its contemporaries disappeared, a relatively small population survived in a restricted area in central China.

Moreover, humans have kept the species alive for more than 1,000 years, as it was cultivated as a sacred tree in the gardens of Japanese and Chinese temples.

How to plant and care for GINKGO biloba ‘Saratoga’?

Planting

Despite the great resilience of this maidenhair tree, consider the following points to give this exceptional plant its best chance:

1. Find it a place in full sun or partial shade.
2. This tree is easy and tolerates moist, moderately moist and dry locations.
3. The soil can be light, normal or heavy with an acidic, neutral or calcareous pH.
4. For good preparation of the planting hole, we have designed specific instructions available here.

Care

The G. biloba ‘Saratoga’, like all newly planted plants, requires regular watering during the first two years and especially during dry periods. Of course, watering should not take place in winter. Also read our tips on how to water properly and save water here.

If you need to prune it, do so in February or March before the new shoots appear.