I’ve always enjoyed visiting bonsai exhibits as they’re both fun and educational. I study the trees I like to see what makes them work. Later, when I’m back in the garden, I try to make use of what I’ve learned. Here are some of the characteristics I liked about a selection of trees on display […]
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Viewing stones at the Bay Area Suiseki and Shohin Show
Last weekend wrapped up the first Bay Area Suiseki and Shohin Show. Held at the Lake Merritt Garden Center in Oakland, California, the event was sponsored by the San Francisco Suiseki Kai, California Suiseki Society, Bay Area Shohin Society, California Shohin Society and members of other Bay Area bonsai clubs. Today we’ll look at a […]
Early branch work on large cork oak bonsai
Creating branches on cork oak bonsai can be a fun process. I wire the shoots that will form the primary branches and remove all other shoots. Instead of wiring the branches all the way out to the tips, I focus on creating one or two curves near the trunk as I plan to reduce these […]
Sierra wildflowers – nature’s accent plants
My recent visit to the Sierra Nevada coincided with wildflower season this year. It was a great reminder of how natural it is to pair trees with companion plants that grow nearby. Here are some of the flowers and succulents I found among the junipers. If you know their names, feel free to share them […]
A natural semi-cascade juniper
I had made several visits to the Sierra junipers around Carson Pass before I first saw the giant semi-cascade. It was pretty awesome. Natural semi-cascade style Sierra juniper Much of the deadwood on this tree is a bright white color that makes a nice contrast to the reddish live veins. A strip of bright white […]