The ginkgo is not only easy to care for, it is also hardy and survives Central European winter temperatures without any problems, but only after a few years. Before that, he is a little sensitive to blazing sun and hard frost.
Potted plants must be protected from frost
To avoid frost damage to your young ginkgo, a frost-free winter is recommended. Ideally, you should cultivate the tree in a pot or tub for a few years. This saves you the work of planting and transplanting in spring and autumn.
The wintering of potted plants
A ginkgo in a pot or tub should overwinter frost-free. If the winter quarters are too warm for your ginkgo, it may sprout again quite early in the year. However, these shoots are not very robust. It is therefore important to avoid this early budding by keeping the roost cool. Temperatures around + 5 °C are ideal.
If you do not have suitable winter quarters (conservatory, cellar or greenhouse), you can also overwinter your ginkgo in a sheltered spot outside in the garden. However, the root ball must be well protected from frost by wrapping the pot (cover, jute bag, (10.99 €) bubble wrap).
The essentials in brief:
- sensitive to frost in the first few years
- frost-free overwintering recommended
- later very tolerant of frost down to about - 28 °C
- then no special winter protection necessary, exception: potted plants
- Wrap the root ball to protect it from frostbite
- occasional frostbite on young shoots
tips
If you only plant your ginkgo outdoors after a few years, then it will survive normal Central European winters without special winter protection.