About a year and a half ago, I mentioned that I’d like to visit Walter Pall’s garden. The message got through to Walter (thanks, Jennifer!), and last week I was able to make the trip a reality. Each summer Walter conducts a master class for students and friends at the Bonsaigarten Munich, a public bonsai […]
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.
Highlights from the 2025 REBS bonsai show
The Redwood Empire Bonsai Society held their annual exhibit last month at the Rohnert Park Community Center in Rohnert Park, California. This year’s event featured a demonstration from Mike Pistello, member tree sales, and a good mix of vendors. It also included a trees-in-training display with bonsai presented by members who are relatively new to […]
The bonsai collection at the Chicago Botanic Garden
While I was in town for the recent Mid-America Bonsai Exhibit, I had the opportunity to visit and learn about the bonsai collection at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Curator Chris Baker and Seasonal Bonsai Assistant Angelica Ramirez led me through a tour of the facility that included the work areas, multiple greenhouses for overwintering trees […]
A visit to David Nguy’s garden
Getting to know David Nguy over the years has been a pleasure. The first time we had a chance to talk at length was on a trip to Japan about eight years ago. He invited me to his garden that day, and I’d been looking forward to seeing it ever since. Earlier this year, I […]
Tom Vuong’s Giant Trees
I drew a lot of inspiration from my visit to Tom Vuong’s bonsai garden. It wasn’t just the trees, but the way he handled them. California juniper Semi-cascade California juniper Tom came up with many the techniques he uses on his own. This extends to the way he collects junipers, bends large branches, and works […]