General Info

Bonsai landscaping is the fascinating art of cultivating miniature trees to mimic the age and characteristics of full size trees found in the natural landscape.

Fine green moss is used as a landscape ground cover to mimic grass, and even tiny figures and buildings are used to create the illusion of a normal landscape in miniature.

This form of miniature landscaping was originated by the Chinese, but it was taken to new heights when it was adopted by the Japanese. Rather than simply mimicing nature's landscape in general, the Japanese developed very defined landscaping styles and methods to achieve them. The process is a long and very involved one that incorporates pruning and wiring to achieve the desired final effect. Let's examine how Bonsai landscape trees are developed.

Top begin, Bonsai landscaping plants are not naturally miniature, they are the same stock as regular landscape plants and will reach full growth in your landscape if left unaltered. Pine and juniper seedlings, and azaleas all make fine stock for Bonsai landscape subjects.

The first step is to artificially stunt development of the root structure. A young landscape plant's main tap root will be pruned as close to the base of the plant as possible to stunt upward growth. The rest of the roots will be gently teased out and clipped back to a uniform round or oval shape. This promotes the growth of fine feeder roots that are essential for drawing nutrients from the gravelly soil, and also ensure the roots will fit into the minimal style pots that traditionally inhibit excess plant growth.

Next, the landscape plant must be carefully scrutinized to determine which traditional form of Bonsai best suits it. This is where artistry takes the major role in Bonsai landscaping. The structure of the main trunk and branches coming from it determine which form the landscape plant is most easily adapted to.

Landscape plants with very straight trunks and even distribution of main branches growing from it are best suited to the formal upright style of Bonsai.

The informal upright style is similar to formal upright, but the main trunk has more of a wandering style, as though the landscape plant has had to grow in search of wherever light has filter through the canopy.

The slanting style of Bonsai looks as if the landscape plant as had to grow at an angle to reach the light. This is the easiest form to perfect by simply fixing the pot at an angle and providing strong light directly above the landscape plant, which will naturally grow toward it. As the tender shoots harden with age, the form of the Bonsai is set.

Cascade and semi-cascade are quite similar. Tall narrow pots provide the base for landscape plants that either trail downward past the bottom of the pot (cascade) or wander down and away from the base of the pot (semi-cascade). Both styles are very attractive in a Bonsai landscape.

All of these Bonsai landscape styles share two things in common; pruning and wiring. Trunks and branches that are still supple will be wired with anodized copper and gradually be bent into desired placement. Once the final form is set, these miniature landscape plants will require periodic pruning of new growth to maintain form.

Bonsai landscaping offers the opportunity for anyone to enjoy landscaping, even if physical disabilities or lack of space are concerns. The hours spent calmly working with your Bonsai landscapes have a great therapeutic effect, something the Asian culture has recognized for thousands of years.