Garden Talk - Golden opportunities for gardeners

Prolonged mild weather this fall has allowed us to enjoy October?s golden hues well into November. Even as leaves have fallen from many trees, there has been plenty of gold still shining in our gardens.

In shadier areas, golden foliage of hostas and Solomon?s seal continues to glow. In the shrub border, the deeper golden leaves of star magnolia are particularly beautiful. But the most gorgeous gold of all may belong to an ancient tree that continues to shine.

If you do not have quite enough gold in your sight lines, make a note to order a gingko biloba for planting next spring. While the gingko is the oldest tree on earth ? almost 300 million years old- its performance as a shade or ornamental tree puts many youngsters to shame.

One of the gingko?s many virtues is that it is not a fussy tree. It will succeed in almost any soil if the drainage is good. It tolerates tough conditions, including heat, cold, salt, and confined spaces.

The gingko?s size and growth rate fit nicely into the medium range. At maturity, a gingko will stand between 25 and 50 feet and spread between 25 and 35 feet. Expect it to grow a foot or two each year.

Perhaps the gingko?s starring attribute is simply its beauty. Its form is symmetrical and pleasing, but its leaves are the true standout feature. A fresh green through the summer, the fan-shaped leaves turn a beautiful, clear gold in fall.

Some homeowners avoid female gingko trees, which can be messy and even smelly due to their plum-like naked seeds. The male trees, however, present no such problems. One popular male cultivar is called ?Autumn Gold,? a pleasing reminder of the gingko?s star quality.