It Takes a Bonsai Village

Not in its pot yet and not a perfect photo, but still…! It’s a Rocky Mountain juniper from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai portfolio. While we’re in Portland (see yesterday’s post) we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the Portland Bonsai Village. In fact, it would almost criminal and an insult to our friend Michael Hagedorn if we didn’t clue you in. So, click this link and consider yourself clued… and while you’re in Portland at the Cup, hop on board (bus below). Skip this paragraph unless you’re a fan of self flagellation. Sometimes I amaze myself at just how dense … Continue reading It Takes a Bonsai Village

Rich in Bonsai Wisdom & Advanced How-to Articles

Eric Schrader’s caption for this photo reads: “At Ryan Neil’s place the Ponderosa were all about the twists and deadwood.” Ryan Neil is the artist behind the wonders of Bonsai Mirai and Eric Schrader is a five star bonsai blogger. I just discovered a phenomenal bonsai blog. It’s called phutu and it belongs to Eric Schrader (Eric lives in San Francisco and is involved in the Bonsai Society of San Francisco as a volunteer and teacher). I don’t understand how I missed phutu for so long, especially considering Eric has been posting regularly since 2003. I encourage you to pay … Continue reading Rich in Bonsai Wisdom & Advanced How-to Articles

A Remarkable Bonsai, Two Questions & the Boreal Forest

The inspiration for this post arouse when I stumbled upon this remarkable tree on facebook. It belongs to Colin Lewis. Here’s his caption: “Colorado blue spruce, acquired 2008 from Harold Sasaki. Styled 2011-2012. Pot custom made by my old friend Dan Barton, 2013. I’m letting it grow this year to refresh some old congested areas. Maybe I’ll show it in 2016…” I’m going digging for Tamarack (Larch – Larix laricina) tomorrow, so thought I’d resurrect this post from last November that shows some trees that were collected here in the U.S., including the Tamarack forest you see below. Le raison … Continue reading A Remarkable Bonsai, Two Questions & the Boreal Forest

Backcountry’s Cork Bark Ponderosa Pine (with a Little Help from Bonsai Mirai)

Backcountry Bonsai doesn’t show any Ponderosa bonsai, so we borrowed this yamadori Ponderosa pine from Ryan Neil’s Mirai, American Bonsai. There are signs of what some people might call corking (see the close up at the bottom of the post), but I don’t think Back Country Bonsai would qualify it as a cork bark Ponderosa. I just stumbled across a new Backcountry Bonsai post and, in addition to getting all excited about rediscovering Steve and Dan’s excellent blog (here’s the original discovery), I learned something new. Namely that there is such a thing as a Cork bark Ponderosa pine. Here’s … Continue reading Backcountry’s Cork Bark Ponderosa Pine (with a Little Help from Bonsai Mirai)

A Remarkable Bonsai, Two Questions & the Boreal Forest

The inspiration for this post arouse when I stumbled upon this remarkable tree on facebook. It belongs to Colin Lewis. Here’s his caption: “Colorado blue spruce, acquired 2008 from Harold Sasaki. Styled 2011-2012. Pot custom made by my old friend Dan Barton, 2013. I’m letting it grow this year to refresh some old congested areas. Maybe I’ll show it in 2016…” Le raison d’être for this post is the tree above. More accurately, the tree and the pot. Both are delightful and together, even more delightful. However, and in spite of the magic of the bonsai above, two questions arise. … Continue reading A Remarkable Bonsai, Two Questions & the Boreal Forest

Bonsai That Speak for Themselves

Rugged natural beauty refined by the eye and hand of man (something like that anyway). The tree and photo belong to Colin Lewis. You can see more good stuff on his website. All the bonsai in this post belong to Colin Lewis. Colin is a transplanted Brit who now finds himself working and living on the coast of Maine. You can find him there too (at his Ho Yoku School of Bonsai) if you would like study with someone who know their stuff I won’t say much about Colin’s bonsai, rather let them speak for themselves. My best guess is … Continue reading Bonsai That Speak for Themselves

If It Ain’t Fun, It Ain’t Bonsai

This Black Hill Spruce belongs to Andy Smith. As you may have guessed the tree was collected in the Black Hills of South Dakota. By Andy. He estimates that it’s 150-175 years old. The stone was also belongs to Andy. You can find this image and all but one of the other images in this post on Andy’s Golden Arrow Bonsai website. Golden Arrow Bonsai is Andrew Smith (aka Andy), though he no doubt enjoys some help from friends and family. Andrew is a bonsai artist and professional woodsman who specializes in collecting trees from nature. If you would like … Continue reading If It Ain’t Fun, It Ain’t Bonsai

Bay Island Bonsai Tonight

I like the way the shari is understated, relative to many juniper bonsai at least. It contrasts nicely with the striking reddish bark, which someone went to a lot to some trouble to clean up. It’s a Sierra juniper, which as you might guess from the name, is native to the Sierra Nevada Mountains (and further north into the Cascades). The photo is from the Bay Island Bonsai’s 15th Annual Exhibit. Aside from the fact that this is an excellent bonsai with potential to become even better, the fact that it’s a native North American species is an added plus … Continue reading Bay Island Bonsai Tonight

An Irresistible Ponderosa Pine

Couldn’t resist. We featured a tree and pot by Sara Rayner a few posts back, so I was looking for some pots by Sara as a follow up, when I stumbled upon this little gem at The Art of Bonsai Project. The caption says ‘Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) pot specially made for this bonsai by Sara Rayner bonsai and photograph by Andy Smith.’ One of the reasons I couldn’t resist this sweet little tree, is because it’s by Andy Smith, one of the best known and best North American wild bonsai (yamadori) collectors* and owner of Golden Arrow Bonsai. As … Continue reading An Irresistible Ponderosa Pine

Three Famous Bonsai Books Are Back

These three popular Haskill Creek bonsai books are back in print after being gone for about a year. One of the great things about these books is that each topic is completely unique. You simply won’t find the subjects covered in any other bonsai books. To thank you for your patience, we are offering these 3 Haskill Creek (now a division of Stone Lantern) classics at a special price of only 48.85 for all 3. The list price for all three is 70.85. which mean you save 22.00 off of list (9.00 off our our individually discounted prices – see … Continue reading Three Famous Bonsai Books Are Back