The Best of DC – Our National Bonsai Treasure

This Sargent juniper (Aka Shimpaku) resides at the U.S. National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. It was donated by Doug Paul, owner of the Kennett Collection. This photo and the others shown here, were taken and generously offered by Robert Vitale. The plant varieties and names of the donors are courtesy ofJanice Vitale and Michael James It’s time to sing the praises of our National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, one of our true national treasures and a great place to visit next time you’re in or around DC. And just in case you’re not familiar with our bonsai collection (it belongs to all of us), maybe … Continue reading The Best of DC – Our National Bonsai Treasure

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…

Seven Pots for One Tree – What’s Your Choice?

Seven choices for Boon’s Kingsville boxwood. One stands out as by far the best choice for me, but I’m pretty sure we won’t all agree. Which pot would you choose? Boon Manakitivipart is at it again. Boon regularly posts his which pot? questions and we regularly borrow them. Judging by the response, it’s one of our most popular type posts, so as long as Boon is willing, we’ll keep putting them up. If you would like to share your choice, you can go to our facebook comments or you can go directly to the source (that would be Boon). Or you … Continue reading Seven Pots for One Tree – What’s Your Choice?

In Praise of 3 Phenomenal Bonsai Tools (Okatsune Tool Sale Ends Tonight) & Another ‘Cedar’ Bonsai

Close up of a Red cedar bonsai forest. I’m going to assume that it’s what we call the Eastern red cedar, which is actually a juniper (Juniperus virginiana), though there are trees in other parts of the world that are commonly called Red cedar (none are Cedrus or true cedars). Our source, an online company that sells ‘bonsai’ seeds is no help with identification, nor with the owner of this forest. I must admit I enjoy trying to sort out the common name versus botanical name confusion when it comes to certain trees. The other day we featured a Northern white cedar, which … Continue reading In Praise of 3 Phenomenal Bonsai Tools (Okatsune Tool Sale Ends Tonight) & Another ‘Cedar’ Bonsai

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

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

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?

Three Magnificent Trees & the 6th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition

Bill Valavanis air layered these three Koto Hima Japanese maples from the same tree back in 1986. A couple things happened when I discovered the photos above on Bill Valavanis’ timeline. First, I was impressed with the trees and their history and thought you might enjoy them, and second… I realized that it’s time to remind you about the 6th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. It’s the premier North American celebration of bonsai. The one event you don’t want to miss and it’s only five months away. I look forward to seeing you there! – SPECIAL ENDS TOMORROW NIGHT HIGH IMPACT PLASTIC BONSAI POTS 25% OFF LIST PRICES ENDS SUNDAY AT 11:59PM EDT … Continue reading Three Magnificent Trees & the 6th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition

More Bonsai Beans

The sweet little Japanese maple belongs to Hiroshi Kunii. Hiroshi calls the pot Maru (circle in Japanese). Continuing with tiny bonsai theme from yesterday…. I borrowed this post from June of last year. It’s definitely worth another look. The tiniest bonsai are called Mame in Japanese (bean in English) and the little trees shown here certainly qualify. They (including the pots) are by Hiroshi Kunii. 30% off Watering Can & Watering Wand Special Ends Tonight, Sunday, at 11:59pm EDT – Here’s part of Hiroshi’s caption (computer translated from Japanese)… Lesser Spindle (Euonymus Alatus), Shooting date: May 18, 2017, Height: 9.5 cm, … Continue reading More Bonsai Beans

Before & After Bonsai with at Least Five Names

Suthin’s before and after Japanese five needle pine, aka Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora aka Pinus parvifolia). This is the only variety tree that I know of that has two common names in English and two botanical names. To further confuse the issue, in bonsai circles it is sometimes referred to as Goyomatsu (Japanese – Goyo = five needle, Matsu = pine) We never go too long without visiting our friend Suthin Sukosolvisit. If you’d like more, here’s a link to dozens of other Suthin posts we’ve featured over the years. Before. A tree in need of styling and a new pot Wanna learn … Continue reading Before & After Bonsai with at Least Five Names