Not too long ago we featured a photo of this magnificent old white pine in a post about the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. Yesterday I got an email from the President of the National Bonsai Foundation, Felix Laughlin, who suggested that we post the whole story on this famous old tree. Take a look and be sure to get back to us if you know of another bonsai with a more interesting history.
Norway spruce (Picea abies) by Francois Jeker. From his book Bonsai Aesthetics. You can learn a lot by studying photos of what other people have done. Especially if artist is very accomplished and you have before and after shots. Fortunately, one of our favorite European artists, Francois Jeker features just that on his website. Check it out, you won’t be disappointed.
This famous old Japanese white pine is one of the most powerful bonsai anywhere. You can find it at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. As always. the photo, though enticing, doesn’t begin to do justice. Next time you are in Washington DC, don’t miss the opportunity to visit our wonderful National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. Meanwhile, you can enjoy some of the bonsai, suiseki and other national treasures right where you are just by clicking bonsai tour.
An old Sierra Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) by John Romano. Height 42″. In the next few months, Bill Valavanis’ 1st US National Bonsai Exhibition Commemorative Album will be back from the printer and ready for your enjoyment. Meanwhile, there is another very noteworthy book that features some great home grown American (and Canadian) bonsai. It’s the American Bonsai Society‘s North American Bonsai (compiled and edited by Martin Schmalenberg). When I first saw it, I was impressed with some of the trees but not completely taken by the collection as a whole. I think my bias towards Japanese bonsai clouded my vision. … Continue reading North American Bonsai