It’s all about Yew

This impressive old tree with its melted wax deadwood and cinnamon bark is yet another dramatic Yew. So dramatic that it’s easy to miss it’s unusual companion. The tree and the little piece of deadwood belong to Mauro Stemberger. The pot is Tokoname. When we originally posted these photos (December, 2012) many of us were just beginning to appreciate Yew for bonsai. Since then they have been pushing their way into our consciousness with a vigor worthy of their robust nature. Anyway, and bad puns aside, I know that I’ve praised yew before. Still, at the risk of repeating myself, I’m a big fan. For landscaping and for bonsai. Continued below… … Continue reading It’s all about Yew

Bonsai Island Paradise

Though it’s not really a bonsai if it’s in the ground, this one is a very close cousin. This photo and all the photos in this post are from Stone Garden. Continuing with our Korean bonsai theme. This one is from our archives (April, 2014). Tomorrow we’ll return to the Korean Bonsai Artists Exhibition. The bonsai shown here reside at a place called Stone Garden, on an island just south of Korea and due west of Japan’s Kyushu Island. The island’s name is Jeju and judging by the photos, it’s a rather magnificent place, with warm enough weather for plants that are … Continue reading Bonsai Island Paradise

Bonsai Boug Before & After by Suthin (with Value Added)

Bougainvillea, before and after by Suthin Sukosolvisit. I’m not sure how much time elapsed from before to after, but given that Suthin lives in a cold climate and Bougainvillea are tropical and semi-tropical plants, my guess is at least several years. Trying to find time to get outside today, so we’ll resort to our archives once again. This one features one of our all time favorite bonsai artists, Suthin Sukosolvisit. It originally appeared here in March, 2015. As usual, I’ve made a few changes. Here’s your link to Suthin’s original before and after post ROSHI TOOL SPECIAL ENDS TONIGHT 40% OFF LIST PRICES ON ROSHI … Continue reading Bonsai Boug Before & After by Suthin (with Value Added)

A Second Look

Fluidity and power. If you’re not into the highly styled look, then you’re probably not crazy about this tree. But it might be possible to take a second look with some effort to relax any notion of what a bonsai should look like. When I do this I see an impressive work of art (in this case at least), though admittedly you’d never see a tree in nature that looks quite like this one. It’s was posted on facebook by Minoru Akiyama, one of Japan’s many outstanding bonsai artists. No species is given, but Shimpaku juniper is probably a safe … Continue reading A Second Look

An Impressively Massive Japanese Maple Bonsai & an Equally Impressive Japanese Garden

This impressively massive Momiji (Japanese maple), perched on its Green T Turntable, belongs to Jean-Paul Polmans. Today’s post is mostly about Jean Paul Polmans‘ extraordinary blending of powerful bonsai and beautiful gardens, and just a bit about our powerful and beautiful Green T Professional Turntables. Continued below… Extended One Day OUR BRILLIANT SITE WIDE SALE has been extended until 11:59pm EST January 1st Almost Everything Discounted Some Items as much as 70% off List Prices SALE ENDS AT 11:59pm EST, TOMORROW, JANUARY 1st The entryway into Jean Paul Polmans’ Japanese style garden and bonsai collection. I borrowed this photo and the one below from Andys Shohin … Continue reading An Impressively Massive Japanese Maple Bonsai & an Equally Impressive Japanese Garden

American Bonsai Silhouettes

This snowy American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) forest by Gary Clark won the American Bonsai Society Award for Native Species at this year’s Winter Silhouette Bonsai Expo in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Our thanks to Bill Valavanis for this and the other photos shown here. It’s a busy time around here, so with the exception of a few words of my own, this post about the recent Winter Silhouette Bonsai Expo is borrowed from Bill Valavanis (though what you see here is only a small piece of what Bill presented). I strongly urge you to visit Bill’s blog to enjoy his captivating first hand stories and insights … Continue reading American Bonsai Silhouettes

Classic Beauty – Flowering Bonsai from Japan

Tomentosa cherry (Prunus tomentosa: Japanese Yasura-ume). The Japanese love of flowering cherries is evident in this gnarled old shohin size (5″) bonsai. Lots to do today, so we’ll make it short and sweet. All three photos are from Classic Bonsai of Japan (Nippon Bonsai Association), one of the best bonsai books we’ve seen. Unfortunately, it has been out of print for several years 30% to 40% off ROSHI BONSAI TOOLS 30% TO 40% OFF LIST PRICES ALL roshi BONSAI TOOLS & TOOL KITS plus an extra 5% off all orders 150.00 or more – Japanese apricot (Prunus mume: Japanese Ume). My apologies for cutting off … Continue reading Classic Beauty – Flowering Bonsai from Japan

Bonsai Tools 30% to 50% off Ends Tuesday

30% to 50% off list prices BONSAI TOOL SPECIAL ends tomorrow Tuesday, November 28th at 11:59pm EDT – A great opportunity to upgrade you tool selection and enhance your bonsai experience 200 Different Tools, Tools Sets & Kits Roshi Bonsai Tools Koyo Bonsai Tools Bonsai Aesthetics Tools Yoshiaki Bonsai Tools Okatsune Bonsai Tools Others too BONSAI WIRE SPECIAL All Wire Deeply Discounted WIRE SPECIAL INCLUDES BONSAI AESTHETICS 100 GRAM ROLLS ONLY 2.95 500 GRAM (1.1 LB) ROLLS ONLY 8.95 1 KILO (2.2 LB) ROLLS ONLY 15.95 – – Our Amazing Green T Turntables also Discounted Bonsai Today back issue now … Continue reading Bonsai Tools 30% to 50% off Ends Tuesday

Brilliant Bonsai Forests – Quality Bonsai Tools, Wire & Much More

This illustrious forest with its impressively natural, in-scale ground cover is from Bonsai Today issue 23.* Among other things this planting shows how one very strong tree can add drama and power to a forest planting. Though the original doesn’t say, I’ll guess that the trees are Ezo spruce. 30% to 50% off BONSAI TOOL SPECIAL ENDS TOMORROW 30% TO 50% OFF LIST PRICES ALL BONSAI TOOLS & TOOL KITS plus an extra 5% off all orders 150.00 or more Roshi, Koyo, Bonsai Aesthetics, Yoshiaki, Okatsune & more order yours now – only 3 more days including today Ends Tuesday, Nov 28th at … Continue reading Brilliant Bonsai Forests – Quality Bonsai Tools, Wire & Much More

Larch Forest, Twenty Years from Zero

This simple lovely Larch forest belongs to Mariusz Folda. Here’s his caption… “Larix decidua – European Larch. About 20 years ago I made cuttings from a forest larix. I recently noticed that the bark starts to be flaky on the cuttings … am I getting older ;))) ?? There is something very very special to start something from 0 and stick with it. Every time I look at the so simple composition I remind mine self to enjoy what I have. Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude. We must never forget to love and enjoy our trees, even so simple as this forest. Isn’t … Continue reading Larch Forest, Twenty Years from Zero