Spring Grove Dwarf Ginkgo Trees - Year Four - August 2026

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In the Spring of 2023, I ripped out a pair of Rhododendron from either side of our back stoop and replaced them with a pair of Spring Grove (dwarf) Ginkgo trees.  They were in larger nursery containers at the time I bought them, but they were small.  Short.  Well...dwarf.  Which usually means they're very slow-growing.  I wrote this 'getting to know' post about Spring Grove Ginkgo and talked about how they were discovered as a Witch's Broom in Ohio.  

That first Summer, they were stressed.  This is a sunny location and the hot afternoon sun beat them up.  So, I put up some shade cloth to try to get them through August.  That worked and by September, they were leafy and (mostly) green. 

Ever since, they haven't looked back. 

And are growing faster than I thought they would.  

Here they are in October 2024.   Over the years, I've posted Wintertime photos showing their 'frames'.  

Today, despite a family of chipmunks living underneath them, they seem to be happy in their homes. 

Below are two photos showing the pair.  Left one, on the left.  Right one, on the right. 

Spring Grove Dwarf Ginkgo Trees - Year FourSpring Grove Dwarf Ginkgo Trees - Year Four

The second one (on the right) was historically "larger".  But, today, the one on the left is taller and bigger.  

But, they're still (maybe??) the best gardening decision I've made in our garden.  Replacing those under-performing Rhododendrons with these structural (and dwarf) trees was the right call.  

I'll call these a "Gardening Win" - officially.  

Location: Downers Grove, IL, USA

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