National Bonsai and Penjing Museum – North American Pavilion

What a who’s who of bonsai in America – the North American Pavilion at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington D.C. includes trees donated by many prominent names in American bonsai. Some of the names evoke the history of bonsai in America – others are friends. All are generous in their contributions to the collection.

The photos below are presented, with a few exceptions, in order of number of years in training, from the oldest to the newest. Two of the trees, including the crabapple below, belong to the Japanese Pavilion – the rest of the trees belong to the North American Collection.

Malus toringo – Toringo Crabapple. In training since 1905. Donated by Shyuichi Ueda. Japanese Collection.

Lagerstromia indica – Crapemyrtle. In training since 1930. Donated by Yuji Yoshimura. North American Collection.

Cedrus atlantica – Blue Atlas Cedar. In training since 1950. Donated by John Y. Naka. North American Collection.

“Goshin.” Juniperus chinensis ‘Foemina’ – Foemina Juniper. In training since 1953. Donated by John Y. Naka. North American Collection.

Pinus thunbergii – Japanese Black Pine. In training since 1955. Donated by George Yamaguchi. North American Collection.

Outstanding bark – a quality common to many of Yamaguchi’s pines.

Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’ – Bird’s Nest Spruce. In training since 1956. Donated by Philip Tacktill. North American Collection.

Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’ – Blue Atlas Cedar. In training since 1960. Donated by Frederic and Ernesta Ballard. North American Collection.

Pinus thunbergii ‘Tsukasa’ – Corkbark Japanese Black Pine. In training since 1964. Donated by Muriel R. Leeds. North American Collection.

Bark detail

Juniperus californica – California Juniper. In training since 1964. Donated by Harry Hirao. North American Collection.

Taxus cuspidata – Japanese Yew. In training since 1966. Donated by Reiji Takagi. Japanese Collection.

Taxodium distichum – Bald Cypress. In training since 1969. Donated by Vaughn L. Banting. North American Collection.

Juniperus chinensis ‘Foemina’ – Foemina Juniper. In training since 1970. Donated by Mas Moriguchi. North American Collection.

Carpinus betulus – European Hornbeam. In training since 1972. Donated by F. Chase Rosade. North American Collection.

Pinus sylvestris – Scotch Pine. In training since 1972. Donated by Roland Folse. North American Collection.

Acer rubrum var. drummondii – Red Maple. In training since 1974. Donated by Vaughn L. Banting. North American Collection.

Acer buergerianum – Trident Maple. In training since 1975. Donated by Ted C. Guyger. North American Collection.

Ulmus parvifolia ‘Catlin’ – ‘Catlin’ Chinese Elm. In training since 1976. Donated by Marybel Balendonck. North American Collection.

Juniperus communis ssp. depressa – Pastura Juniper. In training since 1980. Donated by Jack B. Douthitt. North American Collection.

Ulmus Minor – Smoothleaf Elm. In training since 1982. Donated by Keith B. Scott. North American Collection.

Acer buergerianum – Trident Maple. In training since 1985. Donated by Brussel Martin. North American Collection.

Elaeagnus pungens – Thorny Elaeagnus. Donated by Michael Naka. North American Collection.

Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii – Sargent Juniper. Donated by Sherwin Mitchell. North American Collection.

I was happy to see the shimpaku donated by Sherwin Mitchell. Sherwin was a friend and an early supporter of Bay Island Bonsai. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone work so hard in such nice clothes as Sherwin after one of our early shows.