Floating Mountains with Trees

Floating mountains with trees. I originally thought the trees with their tiny leaves might be boxwoods, but upon closer inspection, I think they are probably Serissas. This photo is a closeup from the photo just below. This unusual and creative arrangement was posted by Aus Bonsai on facebook. It would be nice to know who the artist is, but Aus makes no mention of the artist or even provide a link to their source. If this were the first time, we wouldn’t mention it, but Aus Bonsai often fails in this regard (it’s one thing to not be able to hunt down the artist, but a whole other thing … Continue reading Floating Mountains with Trees

Celebrating Bonsai & the Arrival of Our Bright Sun

This brilliant Deshojo Japanese maple (Acer palmatum var. Deshojo) and the equally brilliant rising sun scroll belong to Bill Valavanis. All the photos shown here were borrowed from Bill Valavanis’ timeline. Here’s Bill’s caption… “Alcove display for tonight’s Introductory to Classical Bonsai Course. Deshojo Japanese maple displayed with a ripe strawberry accessory. Although the rising sun theme hanging scroll is generally only used once a year in Japan on New Year’s Day, it was used tonight to celebrate the bright sun and 85F weather we enjoyed during the day.” By the way, Bill Valavanis is, in addition to being a highly respected bonsai … Continue reading Celebrating Bonsai & the Arrival of Our Bright Sun

Sweet Trees, but They Grow Microscopically…

You can tell this is a genuine Dwarf Kingsville boxwood by the tight tiny leaves. This planting by Boon Manakitivipart was the winner of the Certre Award at the 2010 U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. Continuing with Kingsville boxwoods and with Boon (see above), we’ve got three more Dwarf Kingsvilles today. Sweet trees, but they grow microscopically, so don’t expect fat trunks any time soon. NEW Bonsai Book Special 50% off list on Stone Lantern & Haskill Creek Publishing Books 30% off list on All Other Books This has to one of the most perfectly conceived and executed Kingsville boxwoods you’ll see … Continue reading Sweet Trees, but They Grow Microscopically…

Growing Pine Bonsai – Bonsai Books 50% & 30% off

One of the most famous Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora) bonsai in the world. After restyling by Masahiko Kimura (aka the Magician). This photo is from the White pine gallery in our Masters’ Series Pine Book. Continuing with our growing Pine bonsai theme… If you would like to grow pine bonsai, a good place to start (and continue) is with our Masters Series Pine book. Especially now with 50% off our Stone Lantern Publishing books. NEW Bonsai Book Special 50% off list on Stone Lantern & Haskill Creek Publishing Books 30% off list on All Other Books See Below Pine Book Table … Continue reading Growing Pine Bonsai – Bonsai Books 50% & 30% off

Plucking & Pinching Some Extraordinary Pines

Not only is this an extraordinary cascading bonsai, but there’s a story being told by the way the candles are strongest on the bottom third of the tree. Normally on apically dominant trees (like pines), you would expect the most vigorous candles at and near the top of the tree. My guess is that some of the upper candles have been pinched (shortened) and/or some have been plucked (removed) in order to control growth. Disclaimer: I am not an expert on controlling and balancing energy on pines. I’ve done my best here based on what I’ve picked up over the years, but fear that … Continue reading Plucking & Pinching Some Extraordinary Pines

Boreal Bonsai King

One of Nick Lenz’ famous larches. The larches we’ll be offering this fall (see below) aren’t this old or nearly this refined (Nick is in a league of his own), but they are off to a good start. Monday morning, the sun is shinning and buds are just starting to swell. Spring digging season won’t last, so it’s time to get outside. Continuing our Larch theme, yesterday I dug, trimmed and potted (nursery pots) a few of the larches I’ve been growing on my land for the last dozen or so years. Most are around 20 to 25 years old (they started on a friend’s land … Continue reading Boreal Bonsai King

Boon’s Tamarack and 4 Pots – Which Do You Prefer?

One American larch (Larix laricina) and four pots (plus the original). Which do you prefer? All this images in this post were borrowed from Boon Manakitivipart (the image above is a composite that we put together). Yesterday, April 21st was our first day of spring here in northern Vermont (not technically, but really), so I started digging up some Larches I’ve been growing in the ground for the last 10 to 15 years and putting them into nursery pots. My plan is to take some of them to the 6th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition in September. Anyway, my mind is … Continue reading Boon’s Tamarack and 4 Pots – Which Do You Prefer?

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

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