Our National Bonsai Treasure

This Sargent juniper (Aka Shimpaku) resides at the U.S. National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. It was donated by Doug Paul, owner of the Kennett Collection. This photo and the others shown here, were taken and generously offered by Robert Vitale. The plant varieties and names of the donors are courtesy of Janice Vitale and Michael James We just featured a post about a great job opening at the U.S. National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, so let’s stay on theme The U.S. National Bonsai and Penjing Museum is one of our true national treasures and a great place to visit next time you’re in or around DC. … Continue reading Our National Bonsai Treasure

One Year of Some Serious Bonsai Training

Here’s a once in a lifetime job opportunity if you’re looking for serious bonsai training while working with some of the best bonsai in the world and a crew of dedicated people. Sounds like a great way to spend a year… To apply: Please send a cover letter indicating availability, resume, references, and transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) via email to USNA.Internships@ars.usda.gov Questions? Contact the internship office at (202) 245-4563 or USNA.Internships@ars.usda.gov STONE LANTERN’S 20% off SITE WIDE SALE ends tonight All Items Are Discounted 20% … … including Our Famous Green T Hydraulic Turntables SPECIAL ENDS TONIGHT, WED, DEC 12th at 11:59pm … Continue reading One Year of Some Serious Bonsai Training

Green T Bonsai Monster Turntables – Now 20% Off

Just in case you think your monster bonsai is too big for a Green T Hydraulic Lift Turntable… “Matsuda san is the new entry in the Masahiko Kimura Bonsai family… has already gained world recognition.” And of course Green T is an important part of Kimura’s workshop (see below). A Green T Turntable will change the way your work on your bonsai and enhance the results… and you’ll enjoy the journey Now Green T’s are 20% off with our SITE WIDE SALE Green T Basic regular price 385.00 NOW ONLY 308.00 with your Site Wide Sale Green T Plus regular price 495.00 … Continue reading Green T Bonsai Monster Turntables – Now 20% Off

One of the Most Unique Pines in Our Ten Years of Blogging

This Kuromatsu, aka Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii) was featured at the 27th Japan Bonsai Writer Association exhibition (Nippon Bonsai Sakka Kyokai exhibition), where this photo was taken. I cropped the original photo (see just below) for a closer look at just the tree I found this magnificent tree on The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum‘s timeline. This famous museum is home to some of the best bonsai in the world and this Japanese black pine is certainly no exception. To my eye it is one of the most unique pines we’ve featured in our ten years of blogging (well, nine years and 10 months). It’s so … Continue reading One of the Most Unique Pines in Our Ten Years of Blogging

The Emperor’s Bonsai

At least two things set this Root-over-rock Trident maple (Kaede Ishitsuki – maple planted on a rock) apart from thousands of other root-over Trident maples on this planet. First there it’s exceptional quality, and second, it’s part of Japan’s Imperial Bonsai Collection. The tree’s age is about 90 years. Its height is 57 cm (22.5″). Here’s a quote from the Imperial website… “Among ‘zoki’ deciduous trees, ‘momiji’ (Japanese maple) and “kaede” (maple) (I’m not sure why this isn’t translated as Trident maple) are particular favorites of bonsai lovers because of the way they show off the four seasons. Aficionados appreciate the young buds in … Continue reading The Emperor’s Bonsai

Imperial Bonsai in Training for 220 Years

Here it is. It’s a Pinus densiflora (Japanese Red Pine) that was donated to the U.S. National Bonsai and Penjing Museum by The Imperial Household of Japan. It has been in training since 1795. My apologies for the fuzz. I cropped the original photo (from 2010, see below) for a closer look at the texture on the trunk The Japanese Collection. It’s right here in North America and it’s one of the best bonsai collections outside of Japan. Here’s an excerpt from the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum’s website… “The Japanese Collection began with the gift of 53 bonsai from Japan on … Continue reading Imperial Bonsai in Training for 220 Years

You Don’t See Bonsai Like These Everyday

You don’t see bonsai like this every day. For me, there’s a temptation to grab my thinning shears. But first, it’s a good idea to take it in as is. And there’s a lot to take in. Especially the sheer weight of the remarkably lush foliage. And, if you can pull your eyes down to the trunk, the play of the living veins and deadwood is striking. Unfortunately the tree is not identified (nor attributed), but it looks a lot a like a Shimpaku juniper Normally we shy away from unattributed and unidentified bonsai. But in this case the trees are so unusual that I couldn’t … Continue reading You Don’t See Bonsai Like These Everyday

A Quick Before and After Bonsai

Before and after Juniper by Bonsai Mike made quick and easy (or at least quick). Here’s part what Mike wrote about this tree and the event where the transformation took place… “I’d like to thank the Puget Sound Bonsai Association for bringing me up to Seattle… Here’s a before and after of my demo tree. Deadwood still needs to be finished.” Yesterday we featured a before and after by Bonsai Mike. Today, we’ve got another of Mike’s B&As. Both are junipers and both are impressive in their own right. After that, most similarities end. Yesterday’s was a monster yamadori where the process … Continue reading A Quick Before and After Bonsai

Two Legged Juniper – Before & After

Sierra juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), before and after by Bonsai Mike. You can see the potential peeking out underneath the foliage in the before shot. Still, an impressive transformation Today’s tree belongs to Bonsai Mike, a first timer here on Bark (as distinguished from Michael Bonsai, who has appeared here numerous times). Here’s what Mike wrote about this old yamadori juniper… “One of my best trees. I collected this Sierra in 2011. It has gone through 3 stylings since then and keeps improving. The foliage is getting a little heavy now. In order to show greater age, some branches must be removed in … Continue reading Two Legged Juniper – Before & After

Tiny Flowering Bonsai – NEW Site Wide Sale

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. Let’s make it three straight for Haruyosi, a favorite here and anywhere people love small trees. This isn’t the first time for this post (nor is it the second time). Must be one of our favorites. NEW STONE LANTERN SITE WIDE SALE 10% off Orders 10.00 – 49.99 15% off Orders 50.00 – 99.99 20% off Orders 100.00 or more see below – Here’s Haruyosi’s caption… “This cherry tree ‘Okame’ bloomed half … Continue reading Tiny Flowering Bonsai – NEW Site Wide Sale