Bill Valavanis, who just last week was inducted into the U.S. Bonsai Hall of Fame is shown here with the newest donation to the U.S. National Bonsai and Penjing Museum collection. It's a Dwarf Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris R.A.F.*) that was completely container grown by Bill for over 45 years.
The other day, Bill Valavanis became only the third inductee to the U.S. National Bonsai & Penjing Museum’s National Bonsai Hall of Fame. There’s little question that they chose the right person. No one now living has done more for American bonsai than Bill Valavanis. And though there are others who deserve recognition, including some up and coming stars, as it stands right now, it’s not even close
I won’t begin to try to list Bill’s accomplishments, but what stands out most for me are the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibitions…. all five of them (with six coming next year). Each one is a homage to Bill’s boundless energy and passion.
Bill's U.S. National Bonsai Album 5 3, 4 & 5 are available at Stone Lantern
Just in case you can't make out the first two inductees, they are John Yoshio Naka and Yuji Yoshimura. Pretty good company.
Curator Michael James left, and past curator Jack Sustic of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum presenting Bill with a special commemorative container reproduction of the one Goshin is planted in.
Bill’s famous “Crew” who helps him with all efforts to promote bonsai and present the US National Bonsai Exhibitions.
The gentleman with Bill is Joe Noga of bonsai photography fame. Some of Joe's best photos can be found in the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition Albums 2 thru 5 (with more to come)
*R.A.F. Richard A. Fenicchia. Here’s a link if you’d like to know more
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Bill's 6th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition is coming! Time to start planning your trip
Satsuki azalea displaying a perfect blend of white with a touch of pink and soft green. The flowers dominate right now, but it's no accident that the color of the pot enhances the deeply grooved trunk and nebari. An earlier shot of the same tree appears below.
Another azalea showing off. It’s hard to tell the exact size of the tree, but judging by the flowers, I’d say it’s 
The fleeting flowers are gone. With a little luck (and diligence) the birds will spare the fruit. Looks like shohin crabapple in a rather spectacular Japanese pot.
Here's the same tree that's at the top of the post, though with fewer flowers. I like the way the tree's structure is a bit more revealed than in the shot above. This one is from 
It's easy to see how the Red pine got its name.
Not a great photo, but a worthy tree. Especially if you like eccentric trunks. If you look at the branching, this one is even less stylized than the one at the top of the post.
Saving the best for last. If I had to play favorites, I'd chose this one and the one at the top of the post. BTW: Have you noticed how almost all the trees in this post are in reddish pots? I suspect that's no coincidence.