Bonsai: Small Trees in Smaller Containers

As we begin our new exhibit, Zensai: The Horticulture of Japan, I am especially excited that we are showcasing some incredibly beautiful bonsai trees.  Some of them are courtesy of the Cleveland Bonsai Club.
The art of bonsai began in China more than 2,000 years ago and is now practiced throughout the world. Essentially, it is the miniaturization of trees and shrubs through specialized pruning and shaping methods.
Last summer, I was fortunate to visit the US National Arboretum’s collection of bonsai, which is one of the best in the world. Some specimens there are more than 200 years old and are passed down through many generations of the same family!
There is a great deal of symbolism behind the creation of bonsai trees and there are often fascinating stories that the trees themselves tell. The picture below shows a juniper shaped in the windswept style of bonsai – just one of the many styles that exist in this art form. Be sure to visit the Garden before June 29 to see several different styles and species of bonsai. Maybe they’ll inspire you to create your own living, miniature work of art.