A Powerful Colorado Blue Spruce Bonsai & Its Story of Age & Hardship

This gnarled old Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) won the prize for the Finest All American composition at theĀ 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. It belongs to Jason Eider. I borrowed the photos shown here from Oscar of Bonsai Empire. Moving along with our leisurely journey through the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition’s prize winning bonsai. Continued below…. A quick reminder about our 20% to 30% off Site Wide Sale 20% to 30% off includes everything* we offer including our vast selection of Bonsai Tools   The powerful old shari with its marks of age and abuse. I almost walked by … Continue reading A Powerful Colorado Blue Spruce Bonsai & Its Story of Age & Hardship

Flowering Bonsai – Some of Us Can Dream

Sabamiki and uro from the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum. Aside from this magnificent old Ume’s overall power and beauty, there are a several things that might catch your eye: the flowers and buds, the aged bark (Ume bark develops an aged look fairly fast) and the hollowed out trunk (sabamiki). If you look closely you can also see several uro (small hollows that are left on deciduous trees where branches have rotted and fallen off, though bonsai uro may well be man made). This winter to end all winters seems like a good (if a little perverse) time to look … Continue reading Flowering Bonsai – Some of Us Can Dream

Remedy for an Oversight

This tree would be pretty good without the deadwood on the right. But what a shame to remove it! It tells the tree’s story and has the power to transport you to a rocky cliff high in the Alps, with a clear cold stream wandering through a green meadow far below (sorry, couldn’t help myself). The photo is from Serge Clemence’ bonsai gallery. The remedy I don’t think we’ve ever featured the bonsai of Serge Clemence. To remedy this oversight, here are a couple of his wild and wonderful bonsai for your enjoyment. Stay tuned. There’s more to come.   … Continue reading Remedy for an Oversight