We got a big tool sale going on at Stone Lantern. And it’s not just bonsai tools that we offer. We also have Japanese gardening tools, as well as ikebana tools. Check it out.
ArchivePage 2 of 30
Old Rosemary plants abound in Europe, so you’d expect to see some pretty good old Rosemary bonsai, and this semi-cacade certainly qualifies. It doesn’t hurt that it’s in a very cool pot. This photo is from Bonsai Today issue 85. Unfortunately, I don’t have the artist’s name with me (I’m traveling) so I can’t attribute. Anyone out there know?
Still on the road (thus the movable part of the title)
I’m still traveling so thought I’d just pluck this European gallery out of one of the folders I have on my desktop for just such occasions. Unfortunately, I can’t attribute because I don’t have access to the artist’s names. Maybe you can help.
This twisty Shimpaku forest reminds me of Point Lobos (from the last time I was on the road). Like the one above, and the ones below, it’s from Bonsai Today issue 85.
Look familiar? The photo is from the editorial page, Bonsai Today issue 56. The snow is courtesy of Mother Nature.
When the whole world (well, almost) turned white
Someone told me that 49 of the 50 US states had snow this winter. In northern Vermont, we don’t think much of it. But we don’t leave our bonsai out in the snow like in this photo. At least not in the dead of winter when it’s way too cold for that. The photo above is from Japan. In much of Japan you can leave your hardy trees out most, or all, of the winter, provided they are protected from harsh winds.
On the road again
You might have notice that the number of posts has diminished a little the last few days. I’m traveling right now, so finding the time and space to post is a bit tricky. We’ll be back up to full speed next week. Meanwhile, enjoy the snow while it lasts.
This somewhat faded image of a somewhat amazing Japanese beech forest is from Bonsai Today issue number 4 (long out of print).
The popularity of beech forests
In Japan, Japanese beech (Fagus crenata) have long been a favorite for forest plantings. Their smooth almost white bark, fairly small leaves, fine branching and easy-to-work-with toughness, makes them a natural for bonsai. Here in the you not be able to find any Japanese beech, but don’t despair, most of the principles can be applied to other deciduous trees.
This not-so-faded slab planting is from Bonsai Today issue 99 (still available). See below for instructions on preparing a slab for planting.
The entrance gate to one of Vaughn Banting’s bonsai courtyards. Come on in…
Vaughn Banting
Vaughn Banting was an artist, an adventurer and a friend to many people around the world. He was famous in Louisiana bonsai circles (and circles well beyond) for his passion for bonsai. He was both a professional and an avid enthusiasts that devoted much of his life to bonsai, from his teenage years to his untimely passing in 2008.
Comprising a life
You can visit Vaughn’s website for a journey through his life and work. In addition to photos of Vaughn’s bonsai (his nursery and his private collection, parts of which appear here), and his friends and travels, there are some very telling before and after photos of Vaughn’s nursery that depict the ravages of Katrina.
Spring. You can tell by the azalea blossoms.
Still spring…
Continue reading ‘Backyard Bonsai #7: Vaughn Banting’s Passion’
It’s happening to us
Someone has been pirating all our posts without attribution to bonsaibark or Stone Lantern. I won’t mention their name (yet) because I don’t want to alert them and am hoping that they post this.
And it could happen to you
We are noticing more and more material posted without attribution. Especially, but not exclusively, on facebook. This is corruption, whether it’s innocent (come on!) or intentional. If you see someone doing it, please remind them to attribute. It’s easy and it’s the honorable thing to do.
A simple difference
It is a widely accepted practice to borrow material from other websites and blogs as long as you attribute the source and link to them. We do it all the time and other people use our material in the same way. No problem.
Please let us know
Please let us know if you see posts of our material without attribution. Thank you.
Almost like magic. This wild and wonderful mugo pine showed up on facebook a few weeks ago. It was posted by Bonsai Creativo School and Academy.
Wild, wonderful and no so traditional
There are at least two things that come to mind when I look at this wild mugo pine. First, that it represents a break with traditional bonsai styles, particularly traditional Japanese bonsai. It just doesn’t look like what bonsai used to look like not too long ago.
The second thing about it is that it’s a mugo pine. It wasn’t too long ago that the only pines you’d see as bonsai were Japanese whites and blacks. Especially in Japan. Gradually, as bonsai spread to the west, other varieties started showing up. Now, mugos are becoming quite common, and for good reason; their needles are small, they are tough, and, over time they can show a lot of character (as you can readily see when you look at this magically unique and dynamic tree).
Pirates
At least one blog has been pirating our posts, lock stock and barrel; but without our links and without any attribution to bonsai bark, or Stone Lantern. If you are reading this on any website or blog that is not ours, and is not attributed to us, then it has been pirated. Please visit us at bonsaibark.com. Thank you.
This colorful succulent growing in a rock is by Peter Landerloos. It’s from Bonsai Cafe.
Bonsai Cafe
I lifted the photos in this post from Bonsai Cafe. It features some pretty good bonsai from Western bonsai artists. Definitely worth a visit if you get a chance.
It’s not very often you see a bonsai this size with such a massive trunk. It’s by Colin Lewis. Colin lives and runs his bonsai business (Colin Lewis Bonsai Art and Ho Yoku School of Bonsai) right here in New England.
I think this sweet little Shohin might be a Needle juniper. It’s by Jos Vandeborne.
This snakey cascade by Roman Martyka could easily qualify for one of our Eccentric bonsai posts.
Pirates
At least one blog has been pirating our posts, lock stock and barrel; but without our links and without any attribution to bonsai bark, or Stone Lantern. If you are reading this on any website or blog that is not ours, and is not attributed to us, then it has been pirated. Please visit us at bonsaibark.com. Thank you.
Check out the meandering living vein on this wonderful crazy work in progress by Isao Omachi. It showed up on facebook the other day and instantly grabbed my imagination and got me thinking about how he could have done it (the living vein part, that is). Perhaps there’s a clue in something that Masahiko Kimura (The Magician) did years ago in a chapter entitled ‘Kimura Flips (a Tree Upside Down)’ in our Masters’ Series Juniper book (below).
Here’s the Kimura tree that he flipped upside down. It originally appeared in Bonsai Today issue 21 (out of print).
Pirates
At least one blog has been pirating our posts, lock stock and barrel; but without our links and without any attribution to bonsai bark, or Stone Lantern. If you are reading this on any website or blog that is not ours, and is not attributed to us, then it has been pirated. Please visit us at bonsaibark.com. Thank you.
Only three days left! Sale ends Feb 24th, 2010.
Visit Stone Lantern and enjoy large discounts on books, bonsai wire and kenzans (aka flower pins or frogs).
Enjoy a large selection of books on bonsai & suiseki, Japanese gardening, general gardening, Ikebana, and Japanese arts and culture.
You can also enjoy a very large selection of high quality, affordable kenzans that are made in the USA.
Copper colored aluminum bonsai wire for shaping beautiful bonsai.
This sale ends Febuary 24th 2010.
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