Ginkgo biloba Chotek

Ginkgo biloba is an ancient tree belonging to the ginkgoales family, which is now practically extinct. This "living fossil tree," which does not produce flowers, generally reaches a height of 24 metres and has a vertical structure in its youth that spreads over the years, reaching a diameter of 9 metres. Originally from China, this majestic tree has long disappeared from its natural environment and owes its survival to humans who continue to plant it.

The 'Chotek' variety is a horticultural selection originating from Czechoslovakia, resulting from a mutation of the 'Witches' Broom' variety. Its growth is relatively slow at first, then moderate, with the bush reaching a height of 2 to 3 metres and a similar width at maturity. Its branching is compact, and its young shoots are thick and covered in fuzz. The deciduous leaves are light olive green in spring and darken slightly in summer before turning an intense golden yellow at the end of the season before falling. Their shape is like a fan, with wavy and toothed lobes, resembling a cone. What distinguishes this variety most are its unusual leaves. Some are wider than those of the typical species, while others fold in on themselves to form tubes. This small tree shows remarkable resistance to severe cold.

The 'Chotek' Ginkgo is ideally planted as a solitary tree on a lawn, creating a captivating focal point throughout the year. Its appearance blends perfectly with Japanese, exotic, or contemporary settings. It can be paired with Japanese maples, oakleaf hydrangeas, purple barberries, and blue glaucous conifers. Its beauty, small size, and resistance to urban pollution also make it an attractive choice for small urban gardens.