GARDENER'S READING ROOM
The Art of Gardening
Trees & Shrubs

Easy Bonsai

A large part of successful gardening is choosing the right plant. The same holds true when picking out plant material for bonsai training. So why not start with a plant that's durable, forgiving, and naturally compact? Here are a few to consider.

Azaleas have been popular bonsai subjects for hundreds of years, and with good reason. They are decked out every spring with eye-catching blooms in shades from white through pink, red, or purple. They readily take regular pruning and develop a large, beautiful trunk over time. Azaleas prefer to be kept evenly moist and appreciate afternoon shade. There are many great examples of azalea bonsai in almost every book or article on the subject.

If you have a sunnier location, try a procumbens juniper. Under normal conditions they form a tough, wide spreading groundcover. They lend themselves to cascade style bonsai, but can be shaped into almost any form. Junipers don't require much fertilizing and can be kept a little drier than azaleas. Another bonus feature is that junipers are relatively inexpensive and easy to procure. Junipers are more frequently used than any other plant species, and produce very distinguished and ancient looking trees.

A third must try variety is the Hokkaido Japanese elm. Its foliage is positively miniscule, with leaves barely larger than the aphids that would like to feed on them. This little tree develops very corky bark, dense twiggy branches and can be clipped to form an almost instant bonsai specimen. I have never seen another tree with smaller leaves and branches and highly recommend it for this reason.

No one wants to fail when trying a new hobby. If you are going to invest the time and money to learn this interesting and relaxing art form, start with easy plant material. Any of the three above will reward you almost immediately for your effort.

By Brian Mumm
Skylights Summer 2008, Vol 23, No. 2

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