Kifu bonsai don’t get a lot of attention. They are the trees that are a bit larger than shohin, but shorter than the medium sized bonsai. They are generally between 8 and 12 inches tall.
The increased size allows for a bit more character and complexity than shohin trees, but they still work on a fairly small scale compared with the slightly larger chuhin bonsai.
Here’s why they are worth a second look – some highlights from Bay Island Bonsai’s recent exhibit.
Sierra juniper – one of my favorites in the exhibit, see its history at Yenling Bonsai
Red pine
Shimpaku – always a crowd favorite
Root over rock satsuki azalea
Gooseberry
Accent – anyone know the name?
Zelkova
Yaupon holly
Moss accent – as simple as it gets
Exposed root black pine
Cork oak
Olive
Pride rock
Black pine
Black pine
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Zack Clayton says
I have always been ambivalent about exposed root styles, but that pine really nails why they exist. The illusion of a massive trunk without the trunk captures the essence.
Ponch says
The accent plant in picture 5 looks like a sedum morganianum or something similar
Bonsai Mohegan says
Excellent zelkova. I think that’s the first I’ve seen not in the broom style. Let’s all explore possibilities!