Towering Bonsai and Other Happy Accidents

Pretty flashy, but it has character that will come through even after the the color fades. It’s a Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) that belongs to Tobie Kleynhans. The Happy Accident in the title is from a post we did two days ago that features bonsai by Tobie Kleynhans. Just so you don’t misunderstand, it was our discovery of Tobie’s bonsai that’s the accident, not his bonsai, which are the happy part. Tobie lives and practices bonsai in South Africa. Bonsai Aesthetics Tool Special Ends Sunday 40% OFF OUR LIST PRICES – Bastard olive. Tobie lists this as a False olive (Buddleja saligna). To quote Wikipedai.. Buddleja saligna, the false, or bastard olive, … Continue reading Towering Bonsai and Other Happy Accidents

Mugo’s Magnificent Bonsai

This magnificent Japanese beech (Fagus crenata) was posted by Enzo ‘Mugo’ Ferrari. Though the trunk and nebari are about as good as it gets, the primary branching still needs some time to develop. Right now there are branches in the crown that are as strong as the first and second branches. Mugo’s skillful hand and eye and a few more years are all that’s needed for perfection Today’s photos are from Mugo (Enzo) Ferrari’s timeline. I think all but one were shot at the recent 2018 Miyabi Ten Bonsai Exhibition in Cison di Valmarino, Italy SPECIAL BONSAI AESTHETICS WIRE KILO ROLLS ONLY 15.95 500 GRAM ROLLS … Continue reading Mugo’s Magnificent Bonsai

“Maybe Not the Best Bonsai in the World, but I Love Them All”

This Trident maple in its coat of many colors belongs to Tobie Kleyhans. One of the great perks of this job is the happy accident. Today’s is the discovery of Tobie Kleyhans’ bonsai. Tobie lives in South Africa and here’s something from his facebook timeline that I like … “Celebrating 20 happy bonsai years! I started this fascinating hobby during the first week of March 1998 and since then had heaps of fun, met the most wonderful people and encountered truly remarkable trees. Here are some of my favourite trees. Maybe not the best in the world, but I love them … Continue reading “Maybe Not the Best Bonsai in the World, but I Love Them All”

Tiny Pots, Tiny Trees…

This tiny Shimpaku juniper belongs to Yoshiyuki Kawada. Staying with our little trees theme, but moving from Haruyosi to another Japanese artist who also makes their own small pots and plants them with small trees (even smaller than Haruyosi’s). His name is Yoshiyuki Kawada, and though I’m just becoming familiar with his trees and pots, so far I’m impressed (this post originally appeared here in November, 2016 – with some changes today). NEW BONSAI TOOL SPECIAL 40% off list prices on all our Bonsai Aesthetics Tools see below Another little Shimpaku. This one has a powerful feel for such a small tree Tiny … Continue reading Tiny Pots, Tiny Trees…

Haruyosi’s Flowers

This little Japanese quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) looks old and yet is so small. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but there’s something about the brilliance and purity of quince flowers. Time to visit Haruyosi, one of our all time favorites, especially when it comes to very small bonsai. Some of these photos were just taken in the last few days and others are from years gone by NEW BONSAI TOOL SPECIAL 40% off list prices on all our Bonsai Aesthetics Tools see below – This photo was take two days ago (March 3rd). Here’s Haruyosi’s caption… “This cherry tree ‘Okame’ bloomed … Continue reading Haruyosi’s Flowers

Fat Trunks, Small Pots

Japanese maple, borrowed from Bill Valavanis’ blog. Bill took this photo at this year’s Kokufu (the World’s oldest and most prestigious bonsai exhibition) along with several dozen shots of other remarkable trees. But there’s something about this one that keep me coming back. Part is the way the massive trunk almost fills the pot, something you don’t see every day and almost never with Japanese maples. And there’s more, including the tree’s unusual movement and direction that might make you wonder what it would look like shot from other angles. With the exception of the tree above, all the bonsai shown here belong to Tomohiro Masumi. All, … Continue reading Fat Trunks, Small Pots

Rosh Bonsai Tool Sale Ends Sunday Night

– ROSHI BONSAI TOOL SPECIAL 30% off our list prices – SPECIAL ENDS AT 11:59PM EST, SUNDAY, MARCH 4TH Roshi Bonsai Tools are manufactured to the highest standards and are famous for precision, durability, beauty and reasonable prices NOW All 30% off List Prices – Choose from our large selection of over 75 Roshi Tools, Tool Kits and Sets – SPECIAL ENDS at 11:59pm EST, Sunday, March 4th – –BONSAI AESTHETICS WIRE SPECIAL KILO ROLLS ONLY 15.95 500 GRAM ROLLS ONLY 8.95 100 GRAM ROLLS ONLY 3.45 – FREE Shipping on Continental U.S. orders 75.00 or more but only … Continue reading Rosh Bonsai Tool Sale Ends Sunday Night

Vote for the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum

If you are not already a friend and supporter of the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, there’s no time like now to start. What follows is a letter from the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum that I am very happy to pass along to you… Dear friend of NBF, As the home of the nation’s most historic bonsai collection and a center for education and culture, the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is a destination for lovers of nature and art worldwide. Like you, we at the National Bonsai Foundation share a love for this beautiful space, and we are … Continue reading Vote for the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum

Before & After Bonsai, Just for Fun of It

Shimpaku juniper by Suthin Sukosolvisit. Just for the fun of it is Suthin’s tag line with this striking transformation Today we have another extraordinary before and after transformation by our friend, Suthin Sukosolvisit. As always it helps to start with good stock. In fact, good stock is a ticket to great bonsai. Still, could you do what Suthin did? And just for the fun of it? SPECIAL BONSAI AESTHETICS WIRE KILO ROLLS ONLY 15.95 500 GRAM ROLLS ONLY 8.95 100 GRAM ROLLS ONLY 3.45 – Before. So much potential… Bonsai Soil Just Arrived! SPECIAL 20% OFF LIST PRICES ON ALL SOIL Akadama, Kanuma, … Continue reading Before & After Bonsai, Just for Fun of It

Just One Today, but It’s a Good One

Bonsai perfection. Luis Vallejo provides the following information with this tree… “Fortunella hindsii Kumquat, By Nobuichi Urushibata, Taishoen. Luis Vallejo Bonsai Garden, Photo Miguel Krause.” Taishoen is Nobuichi’s bonsai nursery in Japan. Luis Vallejo is an accomplished bonsai artist and the owner of Museo de Bonsai Acalanes in Spain. Fortunella hindsii Kumquat, is of course the type tree, with the Fortunalla hindsii being the smallest of the Kumquats. Just one tree today, but it’s a good one. I found it on Luis Vallejo’s timeline. If you’ve been following Bark for a while, or if you’re someone who appreciates European (particularly Spanish) bonsai, you’re no … Continue reading Just One Today, but It’s a Good One