Bird's eye view of Dan Dolan's backyard.
It’s has been a while since we’ve featured a backyard bonsai post (our last one was in 2013). Now, finally, we’ve got another good one for you. The yard and the bonsai, as well as the Japanese influenced landscaping and structures, belong to Dan Dolan.
A little bit above average. Dan sent along some of his thoughts on bonsai and bonsai display:
“Unlike many enthusiasts who heed the remonstrance of American bonsai masters to acquire only the best material upon which to work…… I take only the least promising and strive to make them a little bit above average.
As a previous Board Member of the Midwest Bonsai Society at the Chicago Botanic Garden, I spoke often on the subject of bonsai display.
My theme was to encourage our members to invest at least as much on the environment in which they grow, develop, refine and present their trees in training (99% of our trees are in training, as Walter Pall acknowledges) as they do on the material, containers, tools and supplies.”
Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) showing off.
Dan's Bonsai Today library. BTW; he's looking for issues 103 and 104 (we're out of both).
Speaking of…
Our back issues of Bonsai Today are now 60% off
We are down to ones and twos of some, so don’t wait around too long
Way— way above average.
Dan Dolan’s bonsai art is really more than a “little bit above average.” Dan, you are commended. There are, I am sure, many other enthusiasts doing what your doing.
Orv Cope
Hope, Idaho
If this is just “a little bit over average” then average must be pretty high. This garden really wakes up some inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
Alex, Croatia