Mino yatsubusa and other bonsai fun

The Sacramento Bonsai Club’s 64th Annual Show included a number of varieties I don’t always see at bonsai exhibits. One of my favorites was a Mino yatsubusa trident maple.

Acer buergerianum ‘Mino Yatsubusa’

The variety differs from Acer buergerianum in leaf shape (elongated), bark (rough) and fall color (brilliant!). It’s an attractive variety that creates a more textured effect then typical trident maples.

Mino Yatsubusa maple in white pot

Another favorite featured a ezo spruce planted on a tall rock. I’ve seen a few around, but not many. They were created by Oscar, a long-time Sacramento Bonsai Club member responsible for many great trees and stands in the area.

Ezo spruce

Spring is a great time to show ezo – the foliage is beautiful.

Ezo spruce – foliage detail

The vine growing along the length of the rock, as well as the moss, fern, and other plants near the base, create a compelling scene.

The base of the rock

Other varieties stood apart from their neighbors and provided nice contrast to the pines, junipers, and other more-popular varieties for bonsai.

Nandina – Heavenly bamboo

Full Moon maple

Full Moon maple foliage

One variety was new to me – Fringe tree. The flowers are like white fireworks.

Fringe tree foliage

Fringe tree bonsai

Then there were the schefflera bonsai. I’d seen a handful of schefflera bonsai in retail stores, but none that looked like these. Which pot do you like best?

Schefflera bonsai

Schefflera bonsai

Schefflera bonsai

While I’ve seen many live oak bonsai, I’ve been surprised at how few deciduous oak bonsai I’ve seen.

Oak bonsai

I could say the same about blooming Hawthorn. I’ve seen plenty in winter and fall shows, but now understand why they’re popular in spring shows – the color is great.

Hawthorn bonsai

Although the variety below is popular – Japanese maple – the display is novel. I really like the spaces that open up between the panels and think that they create a number of interesting opportunities. I also like the stone – a Madonna in browns.

Japanese maple with Madonna