One consequence of writing a book about bonsai is that I’ve really started to take some of the lessons to heart. For years I’ve known I have more trees than I can adequately care for. When I take on more projects than I can make time for it can become a challenge to keep the […]
Search Results for: pine
A look inside The Essential Bonsai Book
I’m writing on a Tuesday this week as the release date for The Essential Bonsai Book has arrived! It’s hard to sum up all that went into the book over the last three years – four major drafts, eleven photo shoots, feedback from more than 20 editors plus great work from the sales, marketing, production, […]
A visit to Kenji Miyata’s garden
When I found out I was going to Atlanta, I immediately made plans to visit Kenji Miyata’s garden. Kenji is a Japanese-trained bonsai professional who spent the majority of his career in the US, first in California, and now in Georgia. Kenji studied with Yasuo Mitsuya (Boon’s first teacher in Japan) where he learned black […]
Highlights from the 2025 Atlanta Bonsai Society Annual Show
Earlier this month I made a trip to Georgia to participate in the Atlanta Bonsai Society’s annual show. Held at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the two-day event featured vendors, critiques, a workshop, (fantastic food), and an exhibit in which every member is encouraged to participate. I’m a big supporter of the idea that everyone can […]
Highlights from BABA and California Shohin Seminar
Two recent Northern California bonsai events – the Bay Area Bonsai Associates annual show and the California Shohin Seminar – featured some great trees. Here are some of the highlights along with comments about the trees’ designs. Black pine (The apex, the trunk, and the key branch all flow to the right) California juniper(This tree […]




