A sweet little bonsai workshop surrounded by an attractive display area. This photo and the others in this post are from the Minnesota Bonsai Society website.
The exceptional backyard bonsai display shown here is from the Minnesota Bonsai Society website. Unfortunately, the owner of the backyard is a secret for the moment (no name is provided with the photos), though I doubt it will be a secret much longer. In any case, whoever created it is to be applauded. When it comes to structure (the tables and benches, the sweet little workshop and to some extent the landscaping) it has to be one of the best of the thirteen we’ve featured so far (here’s the last one from 17 months ago).
We have Terry Davis to thank for pointing us to the Minnesota Bonsai Society website (our first visit, btw). He sent a link to his Top Azalea Picks for Bonsai and as one thing leads to another, a pleasant journey through backyard bonsai, bonsai workshops, gallery trees and more ensued. I’m not sure how we missed this excellent site for so long, but now it’s on our radar.
One more thing that is especially pleasing about the Minnesota site; it’s completely up to date! (here’s their 2013 calendar where you might notice that Suthin is coming in September). Surprisingly (or not so surprisingly) it’s not unusual to find society sites woefully behind. Not that I’m complaining, it’s easy to understand how this might happen in organizations run by unpaid volunteers.
Bonsai island in the grass.
An old Buddha and an old pine.
Buddha meditating with a Chinese elm, Shimpaku and Ginkgo (I think I’m right this time).
Winter, or at least not summer. With the bare benches, it’s easy to see the quality of the workmanship.
This shot gives you a pretty good idea of the extent of the display, though I did crop a little on the right to eliminate an eyesore. Still, pretty impressive.
This seems like a good place to remind you that Your Guide to Creating Stands and Benches is back in print.
Hey Wayne,
Thanks for the nice compliments and coverage. I have been to that backyard a few times and it is awesome. The hosts are very gracious with beautiful trees (and excellent cooks to boot). :) I will let them know they were posted on here, and will ask if they are ok mentioning their names.
Also, I am one of the people helping with the website, and really appreciate the comments and posts. Terry posts some great articles, and the person whose backyard you posted works very hard to ensure we have an updated site and newsletter. Many of the articles and all of the galleries are free to view, but some of our best articles are a member perk. Though we are always looking for more members ;) ;)
I love your blog, and have been anonymously reading it every day for months since I have discovered it. Keep up the great work, and hopefully someday I will make it on your blog :)
Wayne,
You have captured a fascinating set of bonsai backyards here – found them all except #6!
Backyard Bonsai Displays #1: Wolfgang Putz
Backyard Bonsai Displays #2: Reiner Goebel
Backyard Bonsai Displays #3: A Fresh Start
Back Yard Bonsai Displays #4: A Japanese Touch
Backyard Bonsai #5: Wunderbare
#6??
Backyard Bonsai #7: Vaughn Banting
Backyard Bonsai #8: David Benaventes
Backyard Bonsai #9: David Benaventes
Backyard Bonsai #10: Antonio Gesualdi
Backyard Bonsai #11: John Pitt
Backyard Bonsai #12: Mauro Stemberger
Backyard Bonsai #13 Somewhere in Minnesotta
I’m not sure it is a good idea to broadcast the owner’s name of this garden. If it is public it is also subject to theft and/or vandalism. I jsut had one of my favorite trees stolen from my yard in March so maybe I am now overly cautious…
By the way, I think your blog here is great and always read it.
Phil
Agreed Phil, that’s why I didn’t just say it. It’s unfortunate that we have to be so cautious; I have known people whose trees were taken as well. I will never understand it… Luckily for me I am just getting started so nobody wants to steal my twigs :) Except the squirrels, who are convinced my pine seedlings harbor acorns miraculously hidden in their tiny roots and so drag them off my bench before giving up.
Mo
Good job.
Here’s number 6: https://bonsaibark.com/2010/02/14/backyard-bonsai-6-un-patio-hermoso/
Hi Phil,
Yeah, that’s too bad though.
Interestingly, almost all of the previous backyard bonsai posts had owners’ names (they were all from the original source, so I just passed them on). I haven’t heard of any thefts, but I get the point about being cautious.
Thanks Tim,
It’s nice to know they are gracious. It would be a shame not to share such a nice space with friends.
And good job on the Minnesota site.
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