“An Incredibly High Standard” at the Recent European Bonsai San Show

I’m pretty sure this tree is a Persimmon (otherwise, why the persimmons?). The photo was taken by Harry Harrington at the recent European Bonsai San Show in Saulieu (Burgundy), France. The tree belongs to German Gomez Soler. Bonsai artists that happen to be accomplished photographers can provide an illuminating peek into the heart of the art of bonsai. In this case, the artist/photographer is our friend Harry Harrington. Harry is also the author of several bonsai books that are quite popular in Europe (you can expect the U.S. edition of his Foundations of Bonsai soon). Continued below… This rather spectacular … Continue reading “An Incredibly High Standard” at the Recent European Bonsai San Show

Can There Ever Be Too Many Flowers?

This azalea would be an excellent bonsai even without the flowers. With the flowers, well, you can see for yourself. Getting ready to leave for a couple days and running late (what else is new?), so we’ll dip into our archives. This one originally appeared in 2012. BTW, my source for the photo above was Tae Kukiwon Bonsai. Can there ever be too many flowers? If you look at the two azaleas in this post, you’ll see that the one above is covered with flowers, while the one below shows a mix of flowers and foliage. Some bonsai and landscape … Continue reading Can There Ever Be Too Many Flowers?

There Are No Rules (but What About Guidelines?)

Same tree, better photo. The original caption from a post two years ago started with: “Snakes. From Estação Bonsai on Facebook. I couldn’t find any mention of the artist….” We were none the wiser until someone offered this in the comments: “The first sabina juniper you mention is from Patrick Cremers..” Once we had a name it was easy to find the new photo (the original is below). However, I can’t tell if Patrick is the artist, the photographer, or just someone who posted this photo (confused yet?). Here’s a link if you’d like to explore further. We’re a little … Continue reading There Are No Rules (but What About Guidelines?)

The Trend Only Gets More Outrageous

Snakes. From Estação Bonsai on Facebook. I couldn’t find any mention of the artist and even though I don’t like to show trees without attribution, just couldn’t pass this one up (there’s another from Estação, below). The old rules of bonsai, if they ever really existed, were broken as soon as they were made and the trend only gets more outrageous (in whatever sense you prefer: out·ra·geous: shockingly bad or excessive, wildly exaggerated or improbable, very bold, unusual, and startling). As you can see, this common Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium) belongs to Harry Harrington (Harry on facebook and Harry’s famous … Continue reading The Trend Only Gets More Outrageous

Luminous Fruit

Is this a persimmon with exotically shaped fruit? Aside from the luminous fruit, beautiful antique looking little pot and distinctively twisted trunk, it’s also hard not to notice the spots on the leaves. No matter, I still love it. Katsumi Komiya. I found these images by Katsumi Komiya on facebook. I’m traveling right now, so I can’t verify this, but I believe Mr. Komiya appears in an old Bonsai Today issue. I’ll check out my back issues when I get home and let you know. If you’ve ever tried to grow fruiting bonsai, you know that getting such perfectly healthy, … Continue reading Luminous Fruit

Can There Ever Be Too Many Flowers?

This azalea would be an excellent bonsai even without the flowers. With the flowers, I’d say it’s a stunningly beautiful bonsai. I found it on Tae Kukiwon Bonsai. One thing I like about this sweet little tree, is how, even though the flowers are stunningly striking, the trunk holds its own. A trunk with less power and character wouldn’t stand a chance. Like so many photos on facebook, it’s unattributed. Can there ever be too many flowers? If you look at the two azaleas in this post, you’ll see that the one above is covered with flowers, while the one … Continue reading Can There Ever Be Too Many Flowers?

Fall Color: Writ Small

Trident maple from the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, North American Collection in Washington DC. Donated by Brussel Martin. You can tell by the color It’s most definitely fall here in Vermont (you can tell by the color and the swoonable luminous sunny days). But even though our fall color is renowned, we’re not the only place with such good fortune. Washington DC, Japan, Germany, pretty much everywhere there are distinct seasons have their own psychedelic displays. This time it’s a Japanese wax tree (Rhus succedanea) in Japan. The photo is from Bonsai Today issue 26. Fall color in Germany. … Continue reading Fall Color: Writ Small

Fruiting Bonsai: A Mystery Persimmon

If you know the variety of this tiny fruited persimmon (Diospyros kaki), let me know. The photo is from Bonsai Today issue 39. When I first saw it, I figured ‘kaki’ was the variety, but no such luck. ‘Kaki’ just means persimmon in Japanese. Height 33″ (84cm). Dwarf flowers and fruit You can make leaves smaller by defoliation (cutting leaves off an entire tree, or section of a tree, resulting in a second, or even third crop of smaller leaves) and to some extent by pruning, confining the roots, limiting water and nutrients, and perhaps other means. But dwarf fruit … Continue reading Fruiting Bonsai: A Mystery Persimmon