Dwarf Ginkgo ‘Mariken’

The dwarf ginkgo ‘Mariken’ (Ginkgo biloba ‘Mariken’) forms a compact, rounded to slightly flattened crown, often presented on a grafted stem. Its small, fan-shaped leaves appear light green, turn medium green in summer, then take on a luminous golden yellow in autumn before falling almost simultaneously. This male cultivar normally does not produce the fleshy, ill-smelling seeds associated with female ginkgos. Its very slow growth and dense habit make it suitable for small gardens, entrances, rockeries, terraces, and large containers. Expect it to reach approximately 1 to 1.5 m in height and 2 m in width (3 to 5 ft × 6.5 ft).

Plant ‘Mariken’ in full sun in well-drained soil. It tolerates clay, loam, or sandy soil and adapts to acidic, neutral, or alkaline reactions, provided the roots do not remain waterlogged. Hardy in Zone 4, it tolerates heat, urban pollution, salt, and some drought once established. Water deeply during the first two seasons and maintain 5 to 8 cm of mulch away from the trunk. On a grafted specimen, keep the graft union visible and promptly remove any suckers that appear below it to preserve the dwarf habit of the cultivar.

Use ‘Mariken’ as an architectural focal point in a contemporary bed, courtyard, near an entrance, or in a large, stable pot. The height of the grafted trunk remains almost fixed; it is mainly the crown that expands with age. Significant pruning is rarely necessary. In late winter, only remove dead wood, crossing branches, and rootstock suckers with clean tools. In containers, provide extra protection for the roots against the cold, as they are less insulated than in the ground, and water during frost-free periods when the substrate dries out. Do not consume any part of the plant; the cultivar is sold for its ornamental value.