The Magician’s Ezo Spruce Bonsai Forest

Before and after,three years later. Masahiko Kimura ‘The Magician’ styled this Ezo spruce (Picea Glehnii) planting with a high mountain stand of conifers in mind Continuing with bonsai forests from the last two days… Looking at the after forest above, you might notice how the trees on the outside lean out in search of sunlight, which is what you would expect in a natural stand of trees (more on this below) You may also notice how Kimura enhanced the feeling of age by removing or jinning about half of the limbs (this is most evident in the intermediate to after photos … Continue reading The Magician’s Ezo Spruce Bonsai Forest

See You at the Mid Atlantic Spring Bonsai Festival

John Kirby’s Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora var Kokone) in a Haramatsu-Tosui container and on a perfectly matched rosewood table by David Knittle (you can see the whole tree and table below). The tree was displayed at the 2018 Mid Atlantic Bonsai Festival, where it was awarded the Best in Show, People’s Choice & the American Bonsai Society’s award. If you haven’t already planned your weekend at the 2019 Mid Atlantic Bonsai Spring Festival, there’s no better time than now. We’ll be there, enjoying the action while vending some of our Bonsai essentials (including some out of print gems and other … Continue reading See You at the Mid Atlantic Spring Bonsai Festival

The U.S. National Bonsai Foundation Has a Wonderful New Website, Featuring Some of the Most Outstanding Bonsai in the World

The perfect blend of greens and reds highlights an altogether perfect tree. It’s a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) that has been in training since 1906. It was donated to the U.S. National Bonsai Museum by Ryutaro Azuma in 1978 The National Bonsai Foundation and has a wonderful new website that features the U.S. National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, home to some of the most outstanding bonsai in the world. Today is just a teaser from the Museum’s Japanese Collection. We’ll have more trees and more about the National Bonsai Foundation and the Museum soon. Meanwhile here are three maples from the Japanese Collection for your enjoyment More perfection. This … Continue reading The U.S. National Bonsai Foundation Has a Wonderful New Website, Featuring Some of the Most Outstanding Bonsai in the World

Natives Is Here! Brilliant & Unique, Bonsai at Its Best

We’ve all waited long enough and now the Pacific Bonsai Museum’s Natives is here. We’ve featured some photos in the past, but now we’ve got the real thing. One hundred and five mind stopping pages. Now available at Stone Lantern Here’s the Museum’s description… “As artistic representations of trees, bonsai are collected from the wild to be cultivated as works of art. While the natural forces that shaped the tree are visibly echoed in its trunk and branches, the direct link between a bonsai and its native habitat has been lost. By displaying a tree with a portrait of its … Continue reading Natives Is Here! Brilliant & Unique, Bonsai at Its Best

Challenges All Their Own – Mixed Bonsai Forests

This mixed forest/landscape is from Spain. The Museo del Bonsai Marbella to be exact (from Bonsais del Sur). It’s too bad the pot is chopped off and the whole photo is cramped, but that’s the way we found it. Still, from what we can see, it look s like a very ambitious project with a numerous type trees and other features to integrate. No mean feat to pull off Today we’ll stay on our forest and other multiple trunk theme of late, only this time it’s mixed bonsai forests from mixed sources. Mixed forests present challenges all there own and are not as common as … Continue reading Challenges All Their Own – Mixed Bonsai Forests

More Brilliant Bonsai in Full Fall Colour

The leaves on the table provide a nice touch in this photo of Harry Harrington’s English elm (Ulmus minor) in full fall colour*. From Harry’s bonsai4me website Continuing with fall colour*… Yesterday was shades of red. Today’s pallet is a bit more varied. All the trees and the pot below belong to our friend Harry Harrington. NEW SPECIAL Only 5.00 each for bonsai Today back issues ENJOY DETAILED HOW-TO INSTRUCTIONS BY THE OLD MASTERS our selection of back issues getting low and we are no longer replacing them We’ve shown this Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) before, but anything this brilliant is always … Continue reading More Brilliant Bonsai in Full Fall Colour

Bonsai Yesterday, BONSAI TODAY, Bonsai Tomorrow

Though any Kokufu bonsai might work to lead with, there’s something about Quince flowers… Here’s Bill Valavanis’ caption: A small size Toyo Nishiki Japanese flowering quince, Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Toyo Nishiki’ with multiple colored flowers. Although red, pink and white blossoms are common for this great cultivar, I’ve often seen red branches grafted onto specimens to improve color distribution. Getting a late start today, so I’ve decided to take the easy way out and show you some photos that we originally featured in February 2015. They are all from the 2015 Kokufu Bonsai Exhibiton and were lifted directly from Bill Valanis’ … Continue reading Bonsai Yesterday, BONSAI TODAY, Bonsai Tomorrow

Bonsai Stories

The smaller trunk was blown over in storm and saved when it landed on a tiny rock island. Fortunately, just enough of the roots are intact and a surviving branch has grown up to become the new crown. One of several stories told by this remarkable planting. The artist is Nacho Marin, a frequent presence here on Bark Traveling today so it’s archive time. This one is from one year ago yesterday The best bonsai tell stories. Usually it’s about hostile environments and hardships, though you could have a robust and stately tree that speaks of a more gentle climate … Continue reading Bonsai Stories

Bonsai in the Palm of Your Hand

The trunk on this sturdy little tree reminds me of any number of massive yamadori Junipers we’ve seen (and featured) from the mountains of western North America. Difference is, there’s no way they’d fit in the palm of your hand Yesterday, was Haruyosi. Today it’s Haruyosi and soon enough it will be Haruyosi again… Roshi Tool Special ALL ROSHI BONSAI TOOLS NOW 25% TO 40% OFF OUR LIST PRICES ROSHI SETS THE STANDARD FOR AFFORDABLE HIGH QUALITY BONSAI TOOLS Another sweet Shimpaku. A favorite of Haruyosi And another… This one is already in a bonsai pot. And just … Continue reading Bonsai in the Palm of Your Hand

At a loss for something to do over Labor Day weekend?

Looking for something to do over Labor Day? How about bonsai with Bill and friends? – A piece of Bill’s nursery and here’s a little good news from Stone Lantern… time TO STOCK UP ON WIRE Deeply Discounted Bonsai Wire 500 GRAM (1.1 LB) ROLLS ONLY 7.95 Only 7.15 off with our 150.00+ discount plus FREE Shipping in the Continental U.S. for orders 75.00+ (U.S. only – Orders outside the U.S. will be charged shipping)