The Foundations of Bonsai

This Common Privet was originally dug from an English hedge row. It belongs to Harry Harrington who has been developing it since 2004. The photos are from Harry’s book, The Foundations of Bonsai. We’re excited about our ‘new’ The Foundations of Bonsai, an all-encompassing how-to book that is targeted to beginning and intermediate enthusiasts. The North American edition (Stone Lantern Publishing) is due to arrive at our warehouse within the next week or two. We strongly recommend The Foundations of Bonsai to people buying their first trees (or second, or third…), or really to anyone still grappling with keeping their … Continue reading The Foundations of Bonsai

Field Growing, Drainage & Fertilizing

This impressive Trident maple’s (Acer buergeranum) massive nebari is a dead giveaway that it was field grown. The original article is in Bonsai Today issue 64. I wrote this back in 2009. Though the tree and it’s impressive nebari started in the field, much of the development was accomplished in a container (see below). Enjoying a quick winter vacation in stormy San Francisco. The rain is desperately needed, so I can live with failed expectations of sun and warm breezes. Because this is a vacation, we’ll resort to reposting one of our very earliest posts. It’s from February 2009. I’ve … Continue reading Field Growing, Drainage & Fertilizing

From Snow Covered Forests to Thirsty Redwoods

Off to a very good start. Though the branching is young and has a ways to go, the trunk, with its power and character bodes well for the future of this tree. You can find it along with other quality bonsai at Bonsai Smiths. Long flight, late night. Boston to SF with a stop in Denver for fuel (blame the wind), so we’ll burrow down into our archives for an appropriate retread (nothing like a good mixed metaphor to start the day). This one is from February, 2015. Out of the ice palace and into Redwood country, so why not … Continue reading From Snow Covered Forests to Thirsty Redwoods

Five Shohin Bonsai Plus One

A sweet little Firethorn (Pyracantha) in full flower. Yesterday we showed one with a few berries and if you scroll down you’ll see one with a lot more than a few. Thought we’d continue yesterday’s Shohin theme with a few more photos. I’ll spare you too much commentary. The photo above is from Bonsai Mike. Continued below… NEW SALE 25% off All Bonsai Books Choose from 50 different titles additional 10% off orders 100.00+ FREE Shipping on U.S. orders 50.00+ be sure to select Free Shipping when you check out It’s not everyday you see a shohin Buttonwood (Conocarpus … Continue reading Five Shohin Bonsai Plus One

Shohin Bonsai – An Art Unto Itself

This muscular little pine is a great example of well done Shohin bonsai. You might notice the lack of secondary and tertiary branching and thus the limited foliage. There is only so much you can do on such a small canvass. This results in an overall look and feel that is quite different than larger trees. Almost like an art unto itself. It’s Shohin day today. Little bonsai with big advantages. A few of these advantages are: shohin tend to be less expensive than larger trees, they take up a lot less space, they are easy to lift and move, … Continue reading Shohin Bonsai – An Art Unto Itself

Satsuki Bonsai, with or without Flowers

This must be one of the most perfect Satsuki azalea you’ll see anywhere. It’s sheer power, balance and shape are so spot on that it doesn’t need to be covered with flowers (see below) for its majesty to shine through. I’m pretty sure we’ve shown it before, but a quick search came up empty. I found it somewhere on social media. Unattributed (I can guess it’s from Japan) and unidentified…. Continued below… Three Big Sales End Tomorrow Night 30% off 500 gram Bonsai Wire 25% off Koyo Japanese Bonsai Tools 20% off Okatsune Japanese Bonsai & Garden Tools all three … Continue reading Satsuki Bonsai, with or without Flowers

Just Another Great Juniper with Sculpted Deadwood?

This dynamic Sabina juniper was posted by Mauro Stemberger (Italian Bonsai Dream), someone whose trees and photos have long graced this blog. Is the tree featured here just another great Juniper with sculpted deadwood? Well… yes, that’s exactly what it is, another great juniper, sculpted deadwood and all. There was a day not too long ago when trees like this could only be from Japan. But this is the 21st century and the explosion of high quality bonsai worldwide is happening. If I’m not mistaken, this one resides in Italy. Or at least, that’s where Mauro Stemberger resides. For more … Continue reading Just Another Great Juniper with Sculpted Deadwood?

Which Pot Would You Choose?

Which pot would you choose for this Itoigawa shimpaku juniper? Here’s a favorite topic by our old friend, American bonsai artist and teacher, Boon Manakitivipart (Bonsai Boon). If you would like to state your choice (and reasons, if you’re up for it), you can visit Bonsai Bark on facebook (we don’t accept comments directly on our blog because of near infinite spam) or you can visit Boon on facebook. Or even better, you can visit us both. Continued below… 8.50 for 500 gram Rolls of Bonsai Wire Is Too Good to Pass up 13.50 less 30% = 9.45 per roll … Continue reading Which Pot Would You Choose?

Bonsai, Culture & a Meeting Place for Friends & Bonsai Lovers (What happens in Belgium…)

This highly unusual and remarkably powerful tree is from the cover of the 10th Noelanders Trophy book. I couldn’t find any information on the variety (looks like a Japanese white pine), the artist or the photographer. The 18th Noelanders Trophy is coming soon. February 4-5. It’s a long standing favorite in Europe. But not just Europe; bonsai artists and enthusiasts from around the world have long considered it a favorite destination for bonsai, culture and a meeting place for old friends and bonsai lovers (what happens in Belgium…). Continued below… It’s a New Year… Time to upgrade your Tools 25% … Continue reading Bonsai, Culture & a Meeting Place for Friends & Bonsai Lovers (What happens in Belgium…)

A Natural Feel for Bonsai

I really like the natural untouched feel of this old Spruce. It brings to mind the rugged conifers of the high Sierras and Rockies. It’s a Norway spruce (Picea abies) by Walter Pall (from Bonsai Today issue 106). Yesterday’s post featured Walter Pall’s Bonsai, so let’s just keep going. This one is from the dawn of Bonsai Bark, July 2009. It was titled The Great Debate part 3: More from Walter. Now in 2017, the bonsai community has mostly moved on from the great debate (I don’t think it ever was a big deal anyway, but it does provide some insight … Continue reading A Natural Feel for Bonsai