A visit to the Bonsai Collection at Longwood Gardens

When I was in town for the MidAtlantic Bonsai Society’s Spring Festival I made a side trip to Longwood Gardens. Located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Longwood features over 1000 acres spread over several properties of incredible gardens. It also features a bonsai collection.

The collection got its start almost 70 year ago with thirteen trees from Yuji Yoshimura including the zelkova below.

Japanese Zelkova
Training began in 1909

Today the collection features over 150 trees managed by curators Kevin Bielicki and Matt Turner.

American Arborvitae
Training began in 2016

San Jose Juniper
Training began in 1975

Two weeks from now, the team at Longwood Gardens will be hosting their first Bonsai Festival featuring demonstrations, lectures, vendors, an auction, and an exhibit featuring trees from six local clubs. It’s an ambitious program featuring presentations from Chase Rosade, Bill Valavanis, Bob Mahler, Sergio Cuan, Sean Smith, and Owen Reich. For anyone interested in visiting Longwood Gardens, seeing the bonsai on display, or enjoying presentations from the guest artists, I highly recommend attending.

Chinese Elm ‘Yatsabusa’
Training began in 2010

White Pine ‘Miyajima’
Training began in 2004

Although I missed catching up with curator Kevin Bielicki when I was in town, I had a chance to talk with him on the Bonsai Wire Podcast and learn more about his role at the garden and the challenges of managing such a diverse collection.

As you likely noticed, the trees pictured here represent a good mix of exotic and native species presented in a variety of styles and stages of development. It’s a really fun mix that offers challenges for the curator’s team and great opportunities to improve trees that have been bonsai for a long time.

Japanese Black Pine
Training began in 1949

Mountain Hemlock
Training began in 1995

Hinoki Cypress
Training began in 1930

Ezo Spruce
Training began in 2004

Hinoki Cypress
Training began in 1970

Bonsai workshop

To learn more about the Bonsai Festival or catch the conversation with curator Kevin Bielicki, check out the links below.

News & Updates

[Regional Event]

• The Bonsai Festival at Longwood Gardens will be held June 24-29 and feature lectures, demonstrations, vendors, and a special exhibit organized by local clubs. Guest artists include Chase Rosade, Bill Valavanis, Bob Mahler, Sergio Cuan, Sean Smith, and Owen Reich. Learn more about the Bonsai Festival.

[New Podcast Episode]

• I recently had a great chat with Kevin Bielicki, curator of the Bonsai Collection at Longwood Gardens. Check out the episode on your favorite player or at the Bonsai Wire Podcast.
  
  Stay tuned, more episodes are on the way.

[Local Exhibition]

• The Sei Boku Bonsai Kai is hosting their annual exhibit this weekend (June 13-14) at the San Mateo Garden Center in San Mateo, California. Show hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. both days. Demonstration at 1:00 p.m. with Steve Jang Saturday and workshop (silent observers welcome) from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Sunday. ​Learn more at the Sei Boku website​.
  
  We’ll be vending with tools, supplies, and a selection of small trees. If you’re in the area, come by and say hi!