Trees Suitable For Bonsai Culture

 

Any substantial plant can be trained into a bonsai if it can adapt to the shallow pots and restricted growth that bonsai require. Most bonsai are hardy outdoor plants that need a period of cold dormancy in the winter to thrive, but they should be protected from the harshest winter conditions. Some of the most popular species have remained so for centuries among bonsai enthusiasts. They offer special features such as flowers, attractive bark, small foliage or seasonal fruits and cones. They include the following plants:

Azalea (Rhododendron) These are easily trained into tree form and can be used for most styles. In late spring, they produce spectacular flowers. Several flower colors are available.

Beech (Fagus) - Deciduous beeches tend to be grown in informal bonsai styles. They require very special and delicate technique in styling.

Fig (Ficus) - This tropical family includes some species that have been trained to grow as indoor bonsai. Still, these plants should be placed outside when the weather allows.

Juniper (Juniperus) - Probably the easiest genus for a beginner, evergreen juniper is readily available and can be trained in most styles.

Maple (Acer) - Two main species of maple are used in bonsai: Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) and trident maple

Bonsai are shaped by pruning, wiring and pinching. Pruning and wiring create the tree’s structure by shaping its woody parts, whereas pinching back the long ends of soft foliage helps side buds to develop, making a branch bushier or twiggier

(Acer buergerianum). These deciduous plants are easy to care for, and many display stunning fall colors.

Pine (Pinus) Pines make beautiful bonsai, but are not ideal for a first tree because they are difficult to train.

Pemphis acidula Pemphis make oneof-a-kind bonsai, but are not ideal since collection of the material from the wild is very difficult and expensive.

Bonsai Plant Guide

Trees and shrubs are suitable for traditional bonsai. Specialty nurseries often have a wide selection of dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties of many species. Dwarf plants, however, do not always convey the same impression as their full size counterparts because their growth habits are quite different. Some trees and shrubs that work well as bonsai are azalea, beech, boxwood, ginkgo, maple, oak, pine, wisteria, and zelkova.

AZALEA: Hiryu, Rhododendron obtusum; Satsuki azalea,

Rhododendron indicum; Kurume, Rhododendron obtusum

BEECH: American, Fagus grandifolia; European, Fagus sylvatica

BOXWOOD: Buxus species

ELM: Chinese, Ulmus parvifolia (many small-leaved cultivars)

FIRETHORN: Pyracantha species

GINKGO: Ginkgo biloba

HAWTHORN: English, Crataegus laevigata; Washington, Crataegus phaenopyrum

HEATHER: Scotch heather,

Calluna vulgaris

HORNBEAM: American, Carpinus caroliniana (for large bonsai); Korean, Carpinus coreana;

Japanese, Carpinus japonica

IVY: English ivy, Hedera helix and cultivars

MAPLE: Japanese, Acer palmatum (use palmate rather than dissectum type, preferably a seedling, not a grafted tree);

Amur, Acer ginnala;

Hedge, Acer campestre;

Trident, Acer buergeranum

OAK: Willow oak, Quercus phellos

PINE: Austrian, Pinus nigra Bristlecone, Pinus aristata

Japanese red, Pinus densiflora Japanese white, Pinus parviflora

Japanese black, Pinus thunbergiana Mugo, Pinus mugo

Scots(Scotch), Pinus sylvestris Swiss stone, Pinus cembra

White, Pinus strobus (dwarf varieties)

Pemphis acidula: Santigue

WISTERIA: Japanese, Wisteria floribunda

YEW: Taxus species and cultivars

ZELKOVA: Japanese, Zelkova serrata

American gardeners have taken bonsai concepts and applied them to houseplants. By combining traditional procedures for handling houseplants with bonsai concepts of design, growers have created different bonsai styles. The following woody plants (native to the tropics and subtropics of the world) have been grown as indoor bonsai. These plants can be obtained

from either local or specialized nurseries.

ACACIA: Acacia baileyana

ARALIA: Balfour, Polyscias balfouriana; Ming, Polyscias fruticosa;

Geranium-leaf, Polyscias guilfoylei

CAMELLIA: Common, Camellia japonica; Sasanqua, Camellia sasanqua

CITRUS: Citrus species (calamondin, kumquat, lemon, lime, orange, and tangerine)

CHERRY: Surinam, Eugenia uniflora

CYPRESS: Monterey, Cupressus macrocarpa

FIG: Mistletoe, Ficus diversifolia

HERB: Elfin, Cuphea hypssopifolia

HIBISCUS: Chinese hibiscus, Hibiscus rosa sinensis ‘Cooperi’

HOLLY: Miniature, Malpighia coccigera

JACARANDA: Jacaranda acutifolia

JADE: Crassula species

JASMINE: Jasminum parkeri; Orange, Murraea paniculata;

Confederate star, Trachelospermum jasminoides

LAUREL: Indian, Ficus retusa

MYRTLE:Classic, Myrtus communis

OAK: Cork, Quercus suber; Silk, Grevillea robusta

ORCHID TREE: Bauhinia variegata

OLIVE: Common, Olea europaea

PEPPER TREE: California, Schinus molle

PLUM: Natal, Carissa grandiflora

POINCIANA: Royal,

Delonix regia

POMEGRANATE: Dwarf,

Punica granatum ‘Nana’ POPINAC: White,

Leucaena glauca POWDERPUFF TREE:

Calliandra surinamensis

SERISSA (Snow Rose, Tree of a Thousand Stars): Serissa foetida (nicest of all indoor bonsai)

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