“How do landscape, native flora, and cultural practices shape bonsai expression?” This is the question Aarin Packard and the Pacific Bonsai Museum investigate in their current exhibit, Bonsai United. The exhibit investigates ways in which the environment, the culture, and the expression of bonsai differ in fifteen countries around the world. Shimpaku grafted on Sierra […]
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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 […]
What’s your intake process?
Whenever I bring new trees to the garden I look forward to cleaning them up so I can take a closer look. This is especially true when trees have weeds or unhealthy foliage. In general my intake process includes: Cleaning up a tree is a good way to get to know it. I like removing […]
Pot selection exercise – Chinese cork bark elm
When I have the time, I test out every container I can find when I’m repotting to see which I like best for a given tree. Size is the most important attribute to consider (to keep the tree healthy), followed closely by shape. From there I consider color and quality (I don’t like using show […]
Highlights from the MidAtlantic Bonsai Societies’ 2026 Exhibit
The Mid-Atlantic Bonsai Societies is a network of eleven bonsai clubs in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Each spring these clubs are invited to display trees at the region’s annual convention, the Spring Festival. Peter Warren, Kaya Mooney, and I were invited guests at the event and we had a great time. […]