Though every one of Graham Potter's snaps of trees he liked, also struck my fancy, this one really got me. The gnarly ancient looking little tree with its smattering of red flowers and buds (I'll take it to be a quince), all the action on the surface of the soil which reinforces the feeling of age (and naturalness) and of course, the pot (all those words and it's not even a proper sentence).
Here’s part of what Graham Potter of Kaizen Bonsai had to say about last weekends Noelanders Trophy:
“We were so busy over the weekend I barely got chance to walk around. However early Sunday morning before anyone was about I got ten minutes to nip around the show benches. I do not know who won what but did take a few snaps of trees I personally liked so, in no particular order, here are those snaps.” For more of Graham’s comments and great photos visit his Kaizen Bonsai Blog.
There’s a long discussion on facebook about Noelanders Trophy and some ‘haters’ (an overused word that some people use just because someone else expresses a dislike or a contrary opinion), but I’ve decided that this is a part one post, so we’ll save my commentary for part two.
BTW: Graham doesn’t list the type trees or the exhibitors’ names so we’ll have to do without (unless someone is willing to fill us in).
Graham provided photos of so many unique looking trees (our tastes seem to run in the same vein), but this one really jumped out at me. Partly just because of its outrageous top-knots, and partly because of the way the deadwood has been left to rot naturally (at least that's the way it looks) rather than all dressed up and lime-sulphured.
Graham's favorite and it's not a stretch to see why (though most of the pot is missing).Is it a variety of holly (Ilex)?Wrong again; it's a Holm oak.
When I first glimpsed this one, I thought it looks something Graham would do (check out his videos). And sure enough... "Privet supplied by us a couple of years ago."
Looks like one of those Taiwanese (or maybe Japanese) field-grown Shimpakus that are popping up all over the place these days.
I don't know what this wild looked triple-trunked decidous bonsai with its gaping mouth is, but I like it. Not only is the base full of character, but the detailed ramification is pretty impressive too.
Stay posted. We’ll show more of Graham’s Noelanders photos tomorrow.
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