This year’s BABA show (Bay Area Bonsai Associates) focused on bonsai display. Great care was taken with trees, stands, scrolls, and accents, and the results were quite pleasing. And because the show took place later in the year than last year’s show, there was plenty of color in the room, best typified by the wisteria display below.

Other varieties included standbys like Japanese black pine. The tree below belongs to Dr. Seiji Shiba. I was impressed by the tree’s story. Originally nursery material, Seiji cut the tree down to its lowest branches to make a bonsai. After years of development and some grafting, the tree was able to make its debut at this year’s BABA show. Seiji still thinks it’s on the early side to show the tree – a reflection of his high standards. It’s not easy to make pines from nothing and it’s great to see the results so far.

Japanese black pine bonsai

Many of the displays included scrolls featuring kanji or nature scenes.

Satsuki azalea bonsai

A silverberry bonsai made an appearance with an accent planted in what looked to be an antique roof tile. Eleagnus is a great variety for bonsai that’s not often seen in Northern California bonsai exhibits, but I’m hopeful more will crop up in time. It’s also nice to see trees with fruit in March.

Eleagnus (Silverberry) bonsai

Silverberry fruit

One of my favorite displays caught my attention from across the room. I couldn’t tell at first if the show set-up included stand-out wines or if something more was at work. It was some time before I noticed the redwood, planted on a rock, rested on a pillow for a stand.