Bark

Summer Sale Part 2: Books

Every single book we offer has been reduced below our normal discount price We just went through every book we offer (including sets like the one above) and lowered the price. If you bear in mind that all of our books were already discounted, then you’ll realize what a great deal this. Take a look. You’ll be very pleasantly surprised at just how low our prices are. This sale includes our very large selection of bonsai books, Japanese gardening books, Ikebana books, books on plants and trees and Japanese arts and culture books.   This beautiful classic bonsai book is … Continue reading Summer Sale Part 2: Books

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

Bunjin! For Love of Bonsai, A Little Counter Point, Yankee Bonsai Artists & What Is It About the Eel River?

Remember this? A little counter point to the searing heat many of us have been experiencing. Photo is from Rosemarie Voelker’s facebook photos. The caption reads: Vincente Rodriguez Lopez, Spain February 2012 snow.   FREE Green Dream bonsai fertilizer while our warehouse is closed for vacation. Our warehouse will be closed for six more days. Orders received this week will be shipped on a first-come, first-served basis starting next Monday the 20th. As a reward for your patience, all orders received by noon Sunday (U.S. Eastern Daylight Time) the 19th will receive one FREE 8oz bag of Green Dream bonsai … Continue reading Bunjin! For Love of Bonsai, A Little Counter Point, Yankee Bonsai Artists & What Is It About the Eel River?

Warehouse Vacation August 7 – 19

That’s Corey on the forklift motorized cart.  Just kidding. This is so NOT our warehouse. Warehouse Vacation Our warehouse will be closed from Aug 7th thru Aug 19th. Orders received after 3:00 pm (U.S. Eastern Daylight time), August 6th will be charged and shipped the week of August 20th on a first-come, first-served basis. You can still order, but you’ll have to wait You can still order while our warehouse is closed, but you’ll have to wait until we reopen for your order to be shipped (see above). We still love you but no exceptions will be made Your business … Continue reading Warehouse Vacation August 7 – 19

An Embarrassing Possibility, Wiring All the Way Out to the Tips, Bill’s Japan Bonsai Tours & The Moss Myth

Akamatsu (aka Japanese red pine). I’m usually loath to lead off with an unattributed tree, but just couldn’t resist this one. It turned up here. No word on who the artist is (this often seems to be the nature of the facebook beast), though I think I’ve seen it before (I wonder if we’ve already featured it on this blog; always a somewhat embarrassing possibility).   Want to improve the quality of your bonsai? Try wiring all the way out to the tips of the smallest branches. You’ll be astounded by the results. Now in stock. Our largest shipment ever … Continue reading An Embarrassing Possibility, Wiring All the Way Out to the Tips, Bill’s Japan Bonsai Tours & The Moss Myth

Enter & Win, Imagine & Create, Visit Stone Lantern & Save

Goshin by John Yoshio Naka. This famous tree resides at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington DC. Photos will never do it justice. It is huge (about 1 meter tall – just over 3 feet) and is so dramatic in person that it almost seems to vibrate with power. Goshin is featured in Timeless Trees by Peter and Mary Bloomer. It also appears on the cover of Bonsai Today issue 93, an issue that features a tribute to the life and works of John Naka (The John Naka Sketchbook is on sale here). Enter & win Or at … Continue reading Enter & Win, Imagine & Create, Visit Stone Lantern & Save

A Bonsai Story

A compelling bonsai story. If the best bonsai tell a story, this one speaks loud and clear. I think that the story here is expressed in the way the low tree on the right appears to have regenerated after a near fatal fall and the way this effect is supported by all the deadwood. Then there’s the overall balance that’s enhanced by the way the the foliage and wood on the small tree mirrors the large tree. There’s more, but enough said for now. A great demo at an excellent show A few days ago we featured some bonsai from … Continue reading A Bonsai Story

Explore the World of Bonsai, Humidity & Heat, Columbus Is Still in Ohio & A Very Large Bonsai Tree

This photo is from Explore the World of Bonsai, a special feature offered on the National Bonsai Foundation website. Check it out, it’s well worth a look, especially for those of us still becoming acquainted with the art of bonsai (that pretty much covers us all).   Giant bonsai in a very large box. This turned up on Ruddy Valentino d’Augusto’s facebook page. It’s titled Amazing Bonsai Garden. I’ve seen other gargantuan bonsai, but this one may be the most impressive yet.   This fluid Japanese maple is one of a whole series of great trees featured on Yoshimoto Ishizuka’s … Continue reading Explore the World of Bonsai, Humidity & Heat, Columbus Is Still in Ohio & A Very Large Bonsai Tree

Twisted

Twisted in the extreme. My guess is that you’ve never seen a tree as twisted as this one. I’m pretty sure I haven’t, though there are some (I think they are Whitebark pines Pinus albicaulis) at the treeline on Mt Lassen in Northern California that come pretty close. This photo is from Carlos van der Vaart on facebook. The caption says: Carlos van der Vaart with Carles Lleonart and Bonsai Eduardo Budes, Medellin, Colombia. What causes trees to twist? I’ve always thought twisting is caused by a combination of persistent strong winds and the way trees grow towards the sun. … Continue reading Twisted

Real Cedar Bonsai & A Good Neighbor

Jim Gremel had a Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica – one of the handful of true Cedars) at the 2012 U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition that looked a lot like this one. Deer Meadow Bonsai & the 3rd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition Some of the trees that were offered for sale at the 3rd National were every bit as good as some of the trees in the display area. One of my favorite vendors at the show was Jim Gremel (Deer Meadow Bonsai). Not only did Jim go to the trouble of coming all the way from Northern California, but he … Continue reading Real Cedar Bonsai & A Good Neighbor