Beginner Bonsai

Illustrations of three literati bonsai styles.

Literati Bonsai

Literati Bonsai (Bunjin): An Artistic Approach The literati, or bunjin, is less a fixed “style”...
Ink style windswept bonsai tree in pot

Cascade and Semi-Cascade Bonsai: Embracing Nature’s Flow

Among the most dramatic and visually striking bonsai styles are the cascade (Kengai) and semi-cascade...
Cascading bonsai pine tree in ceramic pot

Preparing Your Bonsai For Show

One of the greatest joys of bonsai is sharing your creations with others. Exhibiting your...
Miniature traditional Japanese tokonoma display with bonsai.

Bonsai Display: A Western Perspective

Displaying bonsai is an art form all its own. It’s not just about showing a...
Ice-coated green plant rosettes

Winter Protection for Bonsai

All living things require a period of rest. For humans, that rest comes in the...
Ink drawing of miniature forest on tray

Forest Bonsai (Yose-ue): Designing a Living Woodland

Any bonsai planting that includes more than one trunk can technically be called a group...
Multi-trunk leafless bonsai in green pot

Raft Style Bonsai

Ground Layering Techniques Explained Raft style bonsai is a striking multi-trunk composition created from a...
Gnarled juniper bonsai with twisted trunk

Creating a Tanuki Bonsai

Technique, Tradition and Artistic Perspective The practice of creating a bonsai from two separate sources...
Bonsai workshop group holding potted trees outdoors

First Bonsai Tree? Complete Beginner Bonsai Care Guide | Bonsai Learning Center

Welcome to Bonsai Your bonsai is a living tree in a small container. The key...
Fertilizer bag with close-up of pellets.

Beginners Guide to Bonsai Fertilizer

Fertilizing Your Bonsai Healthy bonsai require regular fertilization because they grow in a small amount...