Another Excellent Before & After Bonsai

Shimpaku juniper (Juniperus Sargentii var Shimpaku) before and after by Valentín Cruz. Valentín’s caption reads Yamadori shimpaku, 23 years old, which does beg a question (see below) Last week we posted a dramatic before and after by Valentín Cruz, a young Northern California bonsai artist that we had just discovered. Now we’ve got another juniper (this time it’s a Shimpaku) before and after by Valentín. Maybe not as dramatic as the Sierra juniper, but still a job very well done, with a great eye for detail. Valentín Cruz is clearly an accomplished bonsai artist. My only question is Valentín’s description of the tree as a yamadori (bonsai collected … Continue reading Another Excellent Before & After Bonsai

Rugged Bonsai in the Perfect Setting

The natural look. This photo captures two things I love about Eladan Gardens. The first is the rugged uncontrived feel that characterizes Dan Robinson’s bonsai, and the second is the perfect setting. The tree is a Sierra juniper (Juniperus occidentalis). We seem to be stuck on Sierra junipers lately, but who’s complaining? In this case it’s only one (see above and a closeup below) with several other non-Sierra photos to enrich the experience. This post (with some changes today) originally appeared in May 2016. Back in May, 2016 I finally visited Dan and Diane Robinson’s magnificent Elandan Gardens. It was a quick visit … Continue reading Rugged Bonsai in the Perfect Setting

Nature’s Bonsai & a New Identity for a Famous Tree

A Sierra juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) sculpted by wind and snow. It lives near Granite Lake at 8,500 feet in the Emmigrant Wilderness (near Yosemite in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains). This photo and the next two are borrowed from Bonsai Society San Francisco Still sticking with our Sierra juniper theme but with a twist (unintended). Rather than the typical yamadori we’ve been showing, this time it’s Nature’s bonsai still growing in its original home (thanks to Terry Davis of Mullet Wrapper fame for the suggestion) The following quote which refers to the tree in the first three photos, is from Bonsai Society San Francisco… “The tree is about 7 … Continue reading Nature’s Bonsai & a New Identity for a Famous Tree

Bonsai Boon: A Sierra Juniper’s Eight Year Journey

Sierra juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) before and after by Boon Manakitivipart Staying with our Sierra juniper theme, this impressive bonsai originally appeared here in December, 2009 (approximately 3,000 posts ago) We’ve featured Boon Manakitivipart on this blog numerous times over the years, and for good reason. Boon is a highly accomplished bonsai artist and teacher whose enthusiasm and skill has influenced a generation of aspiring Western bonsai artists. If you are serious about improving your skills, you might want to check Boon’s intensives. visit stone lantern for the largest selection and best prices on Bonsai Wire – Before. June 2001. Sierra juniper that was no doubt … Continue reading Bonsai Boon: A Sierra Juniper’s Eight Year Journey

Prize Winners & Other Extraordinary North American Bonsai

The second place tree at the Artisans Cup (fall of 2015). It’s a Sierra Juniper that belongs to Tim Priest. The other winners are below Continuing with yesterday’s Sierra juniper theme (see the tree above). This post originally appeared here in March, 2016 (with a few updates today). It has been about two and one half years since the Artisans Cup, a ground breaking event at the Portland Art Museum that featured more jaw dropping bonsai than most people will ever see in one place. Roshi Tool Special Ends Tonight ALL OUR FAMOUS ROSHI BONSAI TOOLS 30% TO 40% OFF OUR LIST PRICES Special … Continue reading Prize Winners & Other Extraordinary North American Bonsai

A Dramatic Before & After Bonsai

An impressive Sierra juniper(Juniperus occidentalis) transformation by Valentín Cruz. It was originally dug by Ned Lycett Before we start, we’ve got an update on yesterday’s post, thanks to Bill Valvanis (see below). Here we go again with another exceptional before and after bonsai. I found it on the artist’s timeline. His name is Valentín Cruz and a couple hours ago I had no idea he existed. My guess is you didn’t either, but if you spend some time looking him up you most likely won’t forget him. By the way Valentín’s bonsai teacher is Jim Gremel, an artist we’ve featured several times over the years. Roshi Tool Special … Continue reading A Dramatic Before & After Bonsai

Is There a Best View for this Exceptional Japanese Maple?

One possible front view of a freshly leafing Japanese maple. But this is not just any Japanese maple; it’s an exceptional one and it’s in an exceptional (and probably very expensive) pot. I borrowed this photo and the others shown here from Michael Bonsai. Michael doesn’t mention the artist or owner, but we’ll give him a pass as he is a very good source for professional quality photos of excellent Japanese bonsai. If you’re a bonsai enthusiast, spring starts when buds begin to swell. Here in northern Vermont, trees in the ground aren’t quite there yet, but my trees that are just out of winter storage certainly … Continue reading Is There a Best View for this Exceptional Japanese Maple?

Great Close Ups and other Bonsai Wonders

It’s not that often that you’ll find a tree with with the top half of the trunk deadwood. When you do, and in the right hands, the result can be striking. It’s a Subalpine Fir (Abies lasiocarpa) that belongs to Ryan Neil (Bonsai Mirai). All the photos in this post are from Ryan’s facebook photos. One of the things I like about Ryan Neil’s photos are his close-ups. It doesn’t hurt that his trees are phenomenal and so well photographed in the first place. But then to show such vivid close-ups invites you in further. Like you are there in … Continue reading Great Close Ups and other Bonsai Wonders

Bonsai Up Close – Fertilizer Special Ends Tonight

Harry Harrington’s dramatic closeup of a Trident maple root-over-rock by Ian Cuppleditch. Sticking with Harry Harrington. But this time it’s photos he took of other people’s bonsai at the Expo Bonsai UK 2018 Show. Here’s what Harry had to say about them… “After many hours of editing my favourite images from yesterday’s Expo Bonsai UK 2018 Show in Harlington, London, England. The show had an incredibly high standard of trees and I was lucky to get some great photos!” We’re featuring some of Harry’s closeups here. If you’d like to see photos of the entire trees, you can visit Harry’s bonsai4me website FERTILIZER SPECIAL ENDS TONIGHT 30% … Continue reading Bonsai Up Close – Fertilizer Special Ends Tonight

Before & After Bonsai – A Remarkable 7 Year Transformation

Before and after of one Harry Harrington’s famous privets. Here’s Harry’s caption… “For completion, the large Privet bonsai defoliated, wood-hardened and re-styled last month, now back in leaf and ready to live out its days with its new owner near Birmingham (U.K.). Seen here in 2010 after I was given the tree when it was just a big lump of wood collected from a hedge, and now, 7 years later. Ligustrum ovalifolium/Privet bonsai, Height 16″/39cm, Trunk diameter 7″/17cm, Pot by Victor Harris of Erin Pottery” Slow start this morning so we’ll resort to one from our archives (July of last year) … Continue reading Before & After Bonsai – A Remarkable 7 Year Transformation