This site is for Ginkgophiles and is dedicated to the genera Ginkgo; species biloba; recognised cultivars and the many new introductions.
Introduction
This National Collection was started by Tony Davies shortly after a colleague bought him a present of Ginkgo biloba 'Tit' as a joke! It led him to buy several other plants. As a keen plantsman an interest in this fascinating genera was awoken. The collection is currently housed in a domestic garden, however the ultimate aim is to find the collection a permanent home 'in the ground'.
The majority of the plants are currently being grown in special containers, Air-Pots. This is to ensure that they develop healthy root systems in readiness for planting in the future.
There are two open days each year. These are publicised by the National Council for the Conservation of Garden Plants & Gardens. However, it is possible to visit at other times but this is strictly by appointment only. If you would like to visit please contact Tony Davies personally by email, to discuss a suitable date and time.
Contact details:
Email: tonydavies@bestinhorticulture.co.uk
The National Collection
The National Collection currently consists of over 300 cultivars. Research has shown that there may well be in excess of 400 distinct cultivars, with more being discovered collected, propagated and introduced by enthusiasts. Only time will tell if some truly deserve recognition as 'Cultivars' in their own right.
This collection has been certified by the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens (NCCPG) in 2017. The Council exists to conserve, document and make available the cultivated plants of Great Britain and Ireland.
About the collection holder
Tony Davies Mhort(RHS), DipHort(Dist), SCD(HONS), DipRSA, CertED, FCI Hort.
lectured in business planning and development at Sparsholt College
and went on to be the Learning Manager in charge of Horticulture.
Later he became the Academic Head of Pershore College, the
Head of Horticulture at Warwickshire College (For both Pershore
and Morton Morrell Colleges).
A professional horticulturist for many years, he has successfully run a number of
commercial enterprises, specialising in ornamental nursery stock production and
horticultural retail.
As an educationalist, he has worked with a selection of Awarding Bodies; City & Guilds and EDEXCEL, as well as the Royal Horticultural Society as an examiner and in developing qualifications. He is a highly qualified instructor delivering a wide range of horticultural skills and a registered City and Guilds NPTC Assessor for pesticides, horticultural machinery machinery and equipment.
Tony is a career horticulturist. He is passionate about horticultural education and training, and is keen to share his expertise, knowledge and enthusiasm with anyone who wants to learn about the diverse world of horticulture (but has now sadly been forced to actively retire from teaching because of ill health).
He is currently a Director of the B.E.S.T. in Horticulture Group; three companies delivering face to face, distance, blended and consolidated learning . He is also the National Collection holder of Ginkgo biloba and Cultivars, being christened the 'Ginkgo Guardian' by a member of The BBC Productions Team.
Showing the National Collection
We show the collection annually at a Royal Horticultural Society Show to date these are our achievements:
2019 Show Exhibitor
2021 Show Exhibitor
2022 Show Exhibitor
Our largest and most extensive build at a show showcasing the diviristy of Ginkgo biloba and cultivars in a range of settings.
Why we offer plants for sale
The income from plant sales is used to support the development and maintenance of the collection.
We offer a wide range of cultivars for sale, but only in small numbers. This is in the hope that more people will see the virtues of this incredible Genera and want to plant/grow them, thus ensuring that many unique plants are not just housed in a collection but shared with others.
All plants are propagated by us by grafting scion material from plants in the National Collection.
We do not send out any plants until they are well established in their containers (as Ginkgo resent root disturbance). Our plants are supplied in AirPots. Play the video below to understand why we use them.
A dwarf plant will be typically 30- 45 cm high and an upright growing plant 60 - 90 cm high at the time of dispatch. (However this may vary depending on the cultivar, some will be smaller, others may be larger.)