A visit to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum

I spent World Bonsai Day at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum in Washington, D.C. this year – a fitting location for the event!

It had been many years since my last visit to the museum which made it really fun to see how the trees had changed. It was also an opportunity to see a number of new trees, including one that was on loan for the event from Bob Chilton and Todd Stewart of Gardens Unlimited: a giant Chinese elm known as “Emperor.”

Chinese elm – “Emperor”

Another tree that was relatively new to the garden was a tall Douglas fir donated by Bjorn Bjorholm and Richard Le.

Douglas fir

The museum also includes two of the most famous trees in the country, John Naka’s “Goshin,” and the “Yamaki Pine,” a roughly 400 year-old tree, also known as the “Peace Tree,” gifted to the US in 1976.

Foemina juniper – “Goshin”

Japanese white pine – the ‘Yamaki Pine’

The Yamaki Pine was part of the 53 tree donation that kicked off the Museum 50 years ago. Celebrations for the anniversary are in the planning stages and will be held later this year.

R.A.F. Dwarf Scots pine

Ezo spruce

The Museum is somewhat of a living time capsule as it represents bonsai that came into the collection from different regions at different times. And although the trees continue to change as they mature, they represent initial inspirations of diverse artists making it a great place to study our country’s evolving history of bonsai practice.

Bald cypress

Japanese beech, white pine, Korean hornbeam

The National Bonsai and Penjin Museum is a great place to visit and the price – admission is free – is hard to beat. If you have a chance to visit, I highly recommend it.

Trident maple

Japanese maple

Not long after my visit, I had a chance to speak with the Museum’s curator, Michael James, for a discussion on the Bonsai Wire Podcast. It was great to learn about Michael’s tenure at the Museum and how many doors volunteering at the Museum can open.

The above trees can be found at the Museum in the main courtyard, in the North American Pavilion, or the Japanese Pavilion. Up next: trees from the Chinese Pavilion.

News & Updates

[Local Event]

• The East Bay Bonsai Society will be host their annual bonsai auction on Wednesday, July 8th, at Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Avenue, in Oakland, California. The auction will start at 7:00 pm with a preview at 6:00pm. Auction is open to all buyers. Established and starter bonsai trees, pots, tools, and more! Credit cards, checks and cash accepted. Sales tax added to purchases.

[Exhibit Books]

• Catalogs from the 100th Kokufu exhibit will be available next month! Stay tuned for details in the coming weeks.

[Pacific Bonsai Expo – Vendors]

• Interested in vending at the 3rd Pacific Bonsai Expo? Registration for vendor tables is open now at the Pacific Bonsai Expo website.