Some Worthy Natives to Bonsai

Strangely, I have not been very interested in bonsai Australian natives.  In fact I have had some criticism as to 'why not'.  In the past I have focussed on the 'traditional' bonsai styles and tree species.  Now I feel that I have missed out of developing some truly unique bonsai.

All is not lost, though.  I was fortunate enough to have collected many 'Yamadori' Ficus(right in picture) over 40 years ago; and developed, from seed/seedling the Dwarf Heath Casuarina (Allocasuarina-defungens - left in picture) and  Banksia-oblongifolia (centre).

The Banksia, pictured here, has just been moved into its first bonsai pot.  As you can see, it is still in development but should make a very good bonsai.

The casuarina has developed some interesting çorky bark' since the seed was collected in July-1984.

The old ficus was collected from a sandstone outcrop in 1981 where it had naturally stunted.

A word of warning about some Australian Natives......... Some species are very short lived so do your research before selecting trees for bonsai.  The last thing you want to happen is to spend 20 years developing a native bonsai and to have it die of old age in your lifetime. !!!

A Look Back over the past Year

We have a collection of video clips covering some of our work in the bonsai gallery in the past year.  See all clips

With the COVID-19 restrictions we have had to adapt to using 'Zoom' to conduct  workshops and tutorials. Soon, we hope, this will give way to some 'face-to-face' workshop events. Our Zoom workshops and tutorials have been very successful but there is no substitute for the real thing. 

 The gallery can accommodate up to 10 workshop participants. If you would like to register your interest please Contact Us.

Spring Bonsai Sale

The Bonsai Gallery has just listed more bonsai For Sale.  As promised, we are notifying all of our customers and Bonsai club members. 

See what is on offer

Classic Bonsai Sold

This beautiful old, and classic bonsai is ready for its new home after being sold to a very fortunate buyer.  Once COVID-19 border restriction are lifted this bonsai will start a new chapter in its already long history. 

If you are interested in more of the same please visit our Bonsai for Sale.

The 'perfectly imperfect' pot for a very old Trident Maple

FINALLY, after more than 40 years of development, this Trident Maple 'çutting' has been 'matched' with this Japanese Yamaaki pot by Mr.KATAOKA Sadamitsu.

I have been looking for the 'perfect' pot for this Trident Maple in the collection...... now this is it.!!

Colour, texture and shape of the pot selection is of great importance to the overall feeling of this union. 

• The oval shape complements the overall soft/rounded silhouette of the foliage. 
• The strong and 'stocky' shape of the 'lip' of the pot complements the strength of the nebari and trunk.   
• The colour and patination will also complement the mottled bark and Autumn foliage colours of the tree.

All of these factors have 'come together' here to create, well what I think, is something special.

Selling my Hedgehog

If you are looking for something truely unique to bonsai ... well this is it. 

"Cedrus libani 'Hedgehog' is a truly choice, attractive, dwarf selection of Lebanon cedar with layered, horizontally spreading branches holding exceptionally long, densely packed, rich dark Blue-green needles.'' -  The  American Conifer Society.

I have been growing on this 'Hedgehog' for many years now.   It is at the point of transition, requiring an initial styling and transfer into a smaller container.

If you are interested in this tree please do not hesitate to  Contact Us.

A 'slice' of bonsai history

The Australian Bonsai Gallery is proud to offer bonsai for sale by one of Australia's most respected bonsai artists, Ian Hearn.

Ian is the recipient of many bonsai awards, including the prestigious & inaugural Centenary Bonsai Prize 2013.

Ian has been developing and refining high quality bonsai for over half a century and has, now, decided to offer some of his private collection for sale here.

This is a rare opportunity to purchase a 'slice' of bonsai history.

See what is on sale

I need an Apprentice !

It is times like this when I wish I had an apprentice. !  This old Kuromatsu is ~1.4 mtrs high and is very heavy.!!  It has not been re-potted for 9 years so it is high-time that it was done.

This tree spent many years in my field beds gaining a height of 2.8 mtrs before it was finally removed and drastically pruned to arount 1.0 mtrs high. It spent another 2 years in a training box before being transferred to the bonsai pot pictured here.

I am looking forward to further development and refinement in the future.

Swamp Cypress on a Rock !! 

 Yes, Swamp Cypress on a Rock.  I have had so many conversations about "how to maintain Swamp cypress bonsai" ...."You must keep a tray of water under the bonsai pot to keep them healthy".

Well, I will say it again... this is absolute rubbish.  A soil mix rich in 2-4mm akadama is perfect for keeping these bonsai in good health and growing well.

Here I have created a border of 'Muck' (a 50-50 mix of 'akadama dust' and well composted cow manure), covered with a layer of ground moss (I find that ground moss is the most resilient). 

This border will last for a number of years.  Over time, roots will penetrate the border and 'air-prune' as they emerge from the border.  This will cause the roots to branch within the thick border.

Although this swamp cypress is over 40yrs old it is still possible to bend the trunk.  When this tree settles in I will be adding a slight bend in the trunk lifting the apex to the left.

常滑

Thanks Dominic, for the info on this 'chop'.  Didn't realise that it simply means 'Tokoname'! I have quite a few Tokoname pots but this is the only one with a second, separate stamp of origin.
Tokoname (常滑)