More Bonsai by Harry & Our Big Book Sale Ends Tonight

I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen Privet bonsai quite as spectacular as Harry Harrington’s. We’ve shown a number of Harry’s over the years, including this one, but it’s certainly worth another look. It’s in a handmade pot that was designed and built by Swedish potter Thor Holvila. Just wanted to give those of you who have pre-ordered Harry Harrington’s The Foundations of Bonsai a heads up. We expect it this coming week (but then we also expected it last week… international shipping has its quirks). By the way, we are still excepting pre-orders and now is the time… today is … Continue reading More Bonsai by Harry & Our Big Book Sale Ends Tonight

Taking Out the Makita & Dremels & Adding Some Interest

Close up of another Harry Harrington Privet bonsai. Here’s Harry’s caption: “Another job for the new year has been carving and staining an old Privet bonsai of mine. Part of the original live vein had died back over the years, leaving behind a blank wall of deadwood behind, so last week I took out the Makita and Dremels and added some interest! Bonsai pot by none other than Mr Victor Harris of Erin Pottery.” We’ve been featuring Harry Harrington’s bonsai a lot lately. The North American addition of his book The Foundations of Bonsai is due in our warehouse any … Continue reading Taking Out the Makita & Dremels & Adding Some Interest

Francesco Santini, Seven Years Later

I found this gnarly old European yew (Taxus Baccata) on Francesco Santini’s website. We’ve been featuring yews a lot these days. They make excellent bonsai and there are countless old specimens in temperate zone gardens (and in the wild) in Europe, North American and elsewhere (not all are T baccata however, as there are several other species scattered around the world). It’s been a long time. Way back in February of 2010 we featured a couple trees that belong to Francesco Santini. Now, seven years on, he’s still at it and so are we. This time however, we’ll double down … Continue reading Francesco Santini, Seven Years Later

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

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?

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

Another Bonsai Adventure with an Old Ezo Spruce

This Ezo spruce (Picea jezoenis) belongs to Walter Pall. The hand built pot accentuates its natural look. The tree was originally collected in Hokkaido, Japan sometime before 1950 and is over 100 years old. The pot (Walter calls it a stone) is by Dietmar Popp. Inventory today. To save time, we’ll borrow from May, 2015. After this, it’s onward into the New Year and plenty of new posts. In addition to his bonsai, I like Walter Pall’s instructive step-by-step presentations. It’s like you’re standing there looking over his shoulder. Or in this case, Thomas’ shoulder. In Walter’s own words Thomas … Continue reading Another Bonsai Adventure with an Old Ezo Spruce

New Year, New Bonsai Book

Cross polanization and innovation. I don’t think you’ll see many bonsai quite like this one. It exists at the cutting edge (unintended) of bonsai. This creative innovation is due, at least in part, to travel and the internet. Ideas and technique bounce around the globe at light speed. The cutting edge artist in this case is Harry Harrington. The tree is a yew that we originally posted in June of 2016, and even though it wasn’t that long ago, it’s worth another look. We’re celebrating the New Year with a ground breaking New Book. Stone Lantern’s North American edition of … Continue reading New Year, New Bonsai Book