When I was in Rochester, NY, for the 4th US National Bonsai Exhibition, I made sure to visit the best known bonsai garden in the area – the International Bonsai Arboretum, home of the Valavanis Bonsai Collection. International Bonsai Arboretum Within moments of stepping foot inside the Arboretum, several things become very clear. There are many […]
Excursions
Excursion posts feature visits to bonsai gardens in the U.S. and in Japan, visits to the Kyoto's Most Renown Gardens, and trips into the mountains to see junipers and pines in their natural setting.
Developing bonsai at Deer Meadow
How, one might ask, does Jim Gremel produce so many great trees, all while maintaining a busy teaching schedule? The answer: Valentín Cruz, aka “Bali” Bali, as he is commonly known, loves bonsai. He first came to Deer Meadow Bonsai in 2007 and has been a fixture at the establishment for the past two and a half years. […]
A visit to Deer Meadow Bonsai
If you get the chance to visit Deer Meadow Bonsai, go. Deer Meadow Bonsai Deer Meadow Bonsai is located an hour and a half north of San Francisco, just outside the charming town of Occidental (try Howard’s Cafe when you visit). From Occidental, wind your way through redwoods for 10 minutes and you’re there. What […]
Boon’s garden
Bay Island Bonsai’s annual barbecue last weekend offered ample opportunity to wander through the marvel that is Boon’s garden. There are trees everywhere representing different sizes, shapes, styles and varieties of bonsai. Boon’s garden Small and medium-sized bonsai As Boon’s garden is not open to the public, BIB events and Boon’s Intensives are among the […]
Matt Reel bonsai program at Bay Island Bonsai
After an incredible 8 years studying with Shinji Suzuki in Obuse, Japan, Matt Reel has returned to the US as a bonsai professional. Matt with recently styled Western juniper I first met Matt in 2009 – 3 years into his apprenticeship – on a visit to Suzuki’s garden (see “Taikan Bonsai Museum“). Already his work […]