Solid Gold Money Tree & Two Big Bonsai Events

A little tacky for sure. But how often do you see a ‘solid gold’ money tree? It’s from Bill Valavanis’ bonsai blog. He discovered at a Chinese restaurant while in the Philippines in March. Bill Valavanis has two exciting bonsai events coming up. First and foremost is his 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition in September. Second is his tour of the 2017 8th WBFF Bonsai Convention in Saitama (Omiya) Japan. Details and links for both are below. In addition to Bill’s big bonsai events, you might like to know that we have 4 New Sales at Stone Lantern, including 25% … Continue reading Solid Gold Money Tree & Two Big Bonsai Events

Excellence in Bonsai for Over Fifty Years

Massive trunks and extensively carved deadwood aren’t the only way to go. Delicacy, grace and color work too. This photo and the others in this post are from Rosade Bonsai Studio. The tree looks a lot like a Virginia creeper. It has been a long time since we visited Chase and Solita’s Rosade’s Bonsai Studio. If you’re old enough, you might even remember when it first opened. I don’t know the exact date, but I do know that it was over fifty years ago (proof is just below). Which must make Rosade Bonsai Studio one of the older Bonsai nurseries … Continue reading Excellence in Bonsai for Over Fifty Years

Bonsai Book & Wire Sales End Tonight

Norway spruce (Picea abies) by Francois Jeker. From the first volume of Bonsai Aesthetics. Now 25% off at Stone Lantern. Three great sales end tonight at 11:59pm EDT 25% Bonsai books and other books 25% off 500 gram Bonsai Aesthetics Wire 20% off annealed Copper Bonsai Wire plus FREE Shipping on U.S. orders 50.00 or more 25% off 500 gram rolls of Bonsai Aesthetics Wire 20% off U.S. manufactured Copper Bonsai Wire these sales end tonight at 11:59pm EDT And just in case you are wondering; yes, we do offer a whole range of Japanese garden books and some … Continue reading Bonsai Book & Wire Sales End Tonight

Suthin’s Stupendous Bonsai Sale

This massive Trident maple is one of approximately 200 bonsai offered at Suthin Sukosolivisit’s upcoming Private Collection Sales Event. First a disclaimer. We get nothing for promoting Suthin’s ( or anyone’s) bonsai sales or other events. Just an occasional thank you. But that’s enough. We’re happy to do it and we’re promoting our own business at the same time (Bonsai Book Sale and Wire Sales end tonight), so we’re okay with the arrangement. We’ll just show you a handful of photos of bonsai for sale at Suthin’s upcoming event (June 25 & 26) and encourage you to take a look … Continue reading Suthin’s Stupendous Bonsai Sale

Quiet Dignity – Formal Upright Bonsai

This Cryptomeria japonica is reminiscent of the unimaginably vast and towering Giant sequoias in California’s Sierra Nevada. This effect could be enhanced by photographing it from a little lower (see the photo below), but you still get the drift. Back very late last night from vacation, so we’ll revisit our archives one more time. This one was originally titled Quiet Dignity (July, 2011). What great trees. The one above is from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai. You seldom see a real good formal upright bonsai and you don’t see many good Cryptomeria bonsai either. Especially in the West (as you might … Continue reading Quiet Dignity – Formal Upright Bonsai

Pine Boom again

This gnarly old Mugo pine belongs to Walter Pall. It’s no doubt a yamadori (bonsai collected from the wild). Perhaps from the Alps? Yesterday was Walter Pall. Today it’s pines, two of which belong to Walter. This post originally appeared here on Bark in September, 2012. As far as I know, there is no Pine Boom. I was trying to type Pine Book as a filler until a more suitable name for this post came to me. Then, a simple typo, and now it’s Pine Boom. Anyway, I’m trying to pull myself to together to catch a plane, so, quickly, … Continue reading Pine Boom again

Getting Out of the Way & Extending Our Bonsai Book Sale

This Ponderosa pine was no doubt collected somewhere in western North America and exported to Europe. Europeans are lucky in that regard; it’s relatively easy for them to import plants from around the world. Here in the U.S. restrictions are much more onerous. The tree belongs to (or belonged to?) Walter Pall. The photo is from The Art of Bonsai Project, as are all the photos in this post. We’ve decided to extend our Bonsai Book Sale until Sunday (see below). This is because I’m traveling and can’t find the time (don’t want to be bothered) to make the decisions … Continue reading Getting Out of the Way & Extending Our Bonsai Book Sale

Remembering When Isao’s House & Bonsai Were Washed Out to Sea

Sculpted swan with swooping lines. A work of abstract art. It’s an Itoigawa juniper that belongs to Isao Omachi. A little over five years ago, Isao Omachi’s house and bonsai were washed out to sea. Here’s what he wrote on the anniversary of that terrible day: “Today is 11th March. 5 years has passed since terrible earthquake in Japan. I never forget the day I lost everything. But I could resume my 2nd life thanks to my friend’s support. I can’t express my gratitude in the words. Now I go ahead step by step. Once again, Thank you everybody. I’m … Continue reading Remembering When Isao’s House & Bonsai Were Washed Out to Sea

Root Over by Robert

Robert Steven has done it again. This time it’s a perfect root-over-rock bonsai (I couldn’t find the variety). Here’s what Charles Bevan has to say about it: “This is unbelievably perfect. One quick glance at this tree brought me to a state of nirvana.” The three trees shown here are from Robert Steven’s timeline. No varieties given, and though we would rather know what they are, we can still enjoy simple bonsai beauty, with or without a name. Even though we don’t know what the trees are, one thing we do know about this forest planting is that it is … Continue reading Root Over by Robert

Great Photos from Our Deeply Discounted Bonsai Books

This luscious Satsuki azalea is one of a multitude of remarkable bonsai photos from the very aptly named, Fine Bonsai, Art and Nature. There’s a theme to this large gallery and a method to our madness. All the photos are from bonsai books that we sell and all our books are currently on sale at Stone Lantern. We also offer books on Japanese Gardening and related topics. Bonsai Books 25% off our already discounted prices plus FREE Shipping on U.S. orders 50.00 or more A piece of the cover of Francois Jeker’s excellent, one-of-a-kind new book (well, almost new). … Continue reading Great Photos from Our Deeply Discounted Bonsai Books