Join me and hundreds of bonsai lovers from throughout our country in Kannapolis, NC (a short drive from Charlotte, NC) for one of the most elegant bonsai displays beginning in about three short weeks on December 5-6, 2026. About 70 bonsai formally displayed, mostly in their naked glory so branches and twigs can be appreciated. Unlike evergreen bonsai, it is very difficult to hide flaws with deciduous species because they are all there and visible.
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The Bonsai Marketplace will fill two rooms full of bonsai, supplies and more with will be for sale by select vendors. Demos by Tyler Sherrod, Sean Smith, Eli Adkins, Matthew Robinson and me. I’m honored again to be invited to do a demonstration, educational critique and judge the Bonsai Gallery, which is difficult because all the bonsai have been pre-selected.
My lecture and demonstration on Saturday, December 5, 2026 begins at 2pm will be on “literati Bonsai.” After introducing this unique style which has NO particular form, the history and characteristics of Literati Bonsai I’m going to begin the training of a collected Pitch pine. I have been studying this tree in my garden for about four years and have “almost” decided how to design it. Come watch and see what I’m going to do to this poor tree to hopefully improve the form. A few photos of the demo tree are attached so readers and attendees can guess what kind of magic will be used to create a unique bonsai. Feel free to post your opinions for the literati bonsai.
The US National Arboretum was gifted an unpresented collection of 50 bonsai assembled by the Nippon Bonsai Association in Japan plus three from the Imperial Household and six suiseki in 1975 to celebrate the US Bicentennial in 1976. In the past 50 years the original gift of bonsai has developed into the world-class National Bonsai Museum in Washington, DC. The Nippon Bonsai Association has presented several more specimens since the original gift. Plus, other donations from the Dr. Yee-Sun Wu penjing collection in Hong Kong and other collections from China and other areas have increased the original donation of 53 trees with the additional gift of a collection of bonsai from the North American bonsai community presented by the National Bonsai Foundation have significantly increased the number, quality and variety of the total bonsai in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.
To celebrate to 50th anniversary of the inception of the museum the Nippon Bonsai Association has very recently donated six more trees. Three magnificent specimens of prized suiseki were additionally donated by Takahiro Kato, Kunio Kobayashi and Seiji Morimae. At the 50th anniversary celebration four bonsai representing the artistry and creativity from American artists: Sergo Cuan, Michael Hagedorn, Boon Manakivipart and Bjorn Bjornholm. The four American bonsai and three Japanese suiseki were displayed during the Saturday, November 7, 2026 celebration. The six new Japanese bonsai were still in quarantine, however an interesting unique 3-D presentation of each of the six newly donated trees was very popular for visitors. The new presented bonsai include: Japanese beech, Japanese Zelkova, Japanese five-needle pine, Dwarf stewartia, Japanese snowbell and an Azalea.
On Friday evening, November 6, 2026, before the Saturday opening, the Friends of the National Arboretum hosted a reception for the Japanese dignitaries, donors with noted invited guests. The eight speeches presented spoke and explained the historical friendship between Japan and the United States through bonsai for world peace and cultural exchange.
All three pavilions from the Japanese, North American Tropical and Chinese penjing collections were lighted for an evening viewing during a light rain.
The Saturday morning celebration began with a ribbon cutting ceremony and the interim director and museum curator welcoming everyone to enjoy the bonsai in the museum and the Exhibit Gallery where a special photographic display on the 50 year-old history and development of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. Throughout the two-day celebration the theme of appreciation to those who contributed to the research, expansion and development for the past 50 years and anticipated exciting future for a bright 50 years of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum for the public.
Tomorrow, Saturday, October 17 and Sunday 2026 the first Fall Fruit & Foliage Bonsai Exhibition will be held at the Hidden Lakes Gardens in Tipton, Michigan. Presented by the North American Bonsai Federation and the Hidden Lake Gardens, this colorful event is supported by The American Bonsai Society and The Jack Wikle Bonsai Legacy Fund. The auditorium of the Visitor’s Center was transformed into a beautiful unusual wonderland of fall foliage and many which are in full bounty of fruit.
Approximately 50 fine-quality bonsai were formally displayed on appropriate bonsai tables accompanied by seasonal accent plants. The trees were displayed at eye level against black backgrounds and tablecloths to contrast with the reds, yellow, oranges and green foliage. Before the bonsai were placed Tim Priest captured their beauty with his professional photographs. Then, after all the trees were phographed they were placed chairman Jack Sustic and his enthusiastic team fine-tuned the positions according to directional eye movement of the trees and avoiding same color fruit and foliage combinations, considering heights as well.
Bonsai were prejudged and came from the region as well as a few from distant locations. I personally enjoyed watching the owners and artists setting up their trees for the public as well as seasoned bonsai club members to share their art, most of which required several decades to create. Many hours were spent carefully positioning mixed moss species on their bonsai as well as selecting the perfect containers and display table matches.
Jack Sustic’s team worked hard to set up the exhibition as well as helping to unload bonsai, several which were two or three-man trees.
Additionally, there is a large sales area with vendors bringing their best material for others to enjoy and take home, after paying of course. In the large vending area bonsai, pre-bonsai, containers, suiseki, wire, tools, soil, art used in displaying, as well as custom made bonsai display tables. There is a wide selection of aged collected trees as well as hanging scrolls appropriate for combining with bonsai to suggest a story or emphasize seasonality.
Tomorrow on Saturday as well as on Sunday lecture demonstrations will be conducted, free of charge. The workshops have a fee to cover the expense of the plant material and clay for making containers. Les Allen displayed large group of suiseki if many different styles.
Finally, daily raffles and an auction will take place to help cover the costs. There is still time to travel to Michigan for others to participate in the glory of fall fruit and colors. I was impressed with the entire exhibition from the organizational tasks to be beautiful presentations of each bonsai. It was like visiting a living art museum. I have traveled the world, several times, including Japan, and have never seen such a fine exhibition featuring magnificent colorful trees of so many unusual species and of all sizes, except shohin and mame bonsai. Other autumn exhibitions are sometimes held, with only a few bonsai in their full glorious colors. I feel honored to contribute to the success of this inaugural exhibition and hope this event continues to grow as our bonsai become more refined.
The Bonsai Society of Upstate New York is based in Rochester, but we have dedicated active members who travel long distances, several hours to regularly attend our meetings, workshops and activities. We have members from Syracuse, Buffalo, Ithaca, Elmira, Cortland, Penn Yan, and even in Hector in New York state but also have members from Erie, PA and North Carolina. Our suiseki exhibition is being held on October 10-11, 2026, at the International Bonsai Arboretum in Rochester, New York.
Our society recently celebrated our 50th anniversary with about 125 members, and about 45 attend each meeting. Before we start our educational monthly programs, we begin with about a one-hour study group on shohin bonsai, suiseki, display and other interesting topics our members are interested in. Our Suiseki Study Group sets up an exhibition on the years the U.S. Bonsai Exhibition, (celebrating the 10thanniversary next September) is not being held. It is mostly our members who also set up the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibitions, which is quite a bit of hard work for our “ageing” members, me included.
The Upstate New York Suiseki Exhibitions are held during the years International Bonsai Arboretum has its Autumn Open House & Sale. In the past the suiseki exhibition was held in the small-heated greenhouse. However for our 10th anniversary we set up in “the Annex” which is much larger and has 20 LED four-foot fixtures. It is so bright that surgeries could be conducted, well bonsai creation operations often take place there.
This year for our 10th anniversary in addition to about 75 suiseki formally displayed with perfectly matched display tables we have added two new features. The first new addition are six formally displayed bonsai with appropriate suiseki so members and visitors can see how we use suiseki with bonsai.
The next addition is a small display of “Biseki” beautiful stones, which are not actually suiseki but often included in exhibits. This year we have a small, but very heavy meteorite, a large solid piece of copper from Michigan, Ginkgo fossil (I accidently dropped it and broke, but my assistant who also specializes in repairing broken bonsai containers quickly repaired the million-year-old fossil and finally a piece of Fool’s Gold (pyrite) in a new ceramic water basin created by April Grimsby which has a gold colored rim and beautiful green and blue glazed interior. It is so beautiful, our member decided to highlight the colorful water basin with only using water. By the way the same member also has a solid piece of actual GOLD about fist-size but would not display it without an armored guard as it is valued more than many homes. Each of the biseki are also formally displayed in water basins because the shapes are like suiseki.
This year, in the new annex, most of our suiseki study group members helped set up this special anniversary exhibition and will also come on Monday to help with the take down. On Sunday at 1pm noted suiseki authority Sean Smith (from his Three Mountain Bonsai School in Pennsylvania) will conduct a free critique of our rocks and displays. He has exquisite fine-taste and has been studying the art of display (both for suiseki, bonsai and other art,) for decades and will share his thoughts.
Our first visitor at 9am on Saturday came from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was surprised to see such a fine suiseki exhibition in addition to the Open House & Sales featuring the masterworks of Wm. N. Valavanis. The deciduous species are just beginning to change color and show bright fruit. An excellent Spindle tree was showcased in an alcove in the bonsai studio. The fruit are now ripe, and this bonsai will also be displayed next weekend at the Hidden Lake Gardens in Tipton, Michigan where the Fall Fruit & Foliage Bonsai Exhibition will be held. Here is the link: https://ipf.msu.edu/hidden-lake-gardens/fall-exhibition. I hope to welcome you to this inaugural event.
My bonsai garden is ready to welcome visitors to the Open House & Sale, where many of my larger-size bonsai are for sale. If you can’t visit us this weekend, our autumn colors are just beginning and usually peak in late-October or early-November. Please make an appointment to see this colorful display of developed classical bonsai in a garden setting. Wishing everyone a colorful autumn season and warm snowless winter.
The 2026 Michiana (Michigan & Indiana) Bonsai Show was sponsored by the Michiana Bonsai Study on September 19 & 20, 2026 at the Wellfield Botanic Gardens in Elkhart, Indiana. The garden has just added many new features, 20 gardens and a large woodland pavilion in addition to a modern visitors center on their 36 acre botanical garden and a working source of hydropower and drinking water.
The new visitors center was a perfect location to hold the show. Due to the rain, most of the event was held indoors next to a large wooden pavilion where many vendors survived the rain under the covered roof. Professional bonsai artists Mark Fields, Jennifer Price and William Valavanis led and conducted critiques, workshops, judging and demonstrations in addition exhibition a few trees from their personal bonsai collections which were for exhibit only.
The Michiana Bonsai Study members hosted the event and were very helpful welcoming the public, answering the usual questions from visitors and even provided a delicious luncheon feast for their member and staff and guest bonsai artists.
There were a large variety of different species in all stages of training from beginners to advanced skilled members. In addition to the cold-hardy collected Larch and Eastern white cedars there were tropical species like Ficus and a flowering Bougainvillea. Each of the displays featured a main bonsai and an accessory which helped viewers have a complete view of idealized nature. About a dozen vendors brought everything needed to create, maintain and appreciate bonsai art display, including stunning hanging scrolls. They offered young seedlings, pre-bonsai, bonsai and masterpiece gems for sale.
I thoroughly enjoyed participating in this show, was made welcome by their members and look forward to their 2028 show. It was a beautiful, well-organized event for bonsai hobbyists as well as the public.
This new inaugural bonsai festival includes a 34 tree week long exhibition beginning June 24-29, 2026 in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Each of the six participating bonsai societies in the tristate regional area displayed a juried exhibition of some of their member’s bonsai. A few photos of the exhibition follow:
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 26-28 a vendor area will be open with 20 vendors. Also included during the weekend is a full program of bonsai demonstrations.
On Saturday evening there will be a live auction of 30 fine bonsai from the Longwood Gardens Collection, the Kennett Collection and 12 bonsai from the Valavanis Bonsai Collections. Additionally, there will bonsai from bonsai nurseries and individual society members.
Don’t miss a rare opportunity to see some beautiful bonsai, learn during the demonstrations and have the opportuning of winning a bonsai, or two at the auction. And finally walking around this world class 1,000 acer botanical wonderland and conservatories.
Join us for a special week at Longwood Gardens, one of our country’s premier horticultural destinations, as it celebrates the beauty of bonsai with the inaugural Longwood Gardens Bonsai Festival from June 24-29, 2025, in Kennet Square, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. A week-long exhibition of some of their world-class bonsai plus bonsai from The Kennett Collection and juried bonsai from members of the tri-state bonsai organizations: Bonsai Society of the Lehigh Valley, Brandywine Bonsai Society, Deep Cut bonsai Society, Great Swamp Bonsai Society, New Jersey Bonsai Societies, Pennsylvania Bonsai Society and the Susquehanna Bonsai Club will be formally displayed.
Demonstrations & Lectures
For those looking to deepen their understanding of the art, the Longwood Gardens Bonsai Festival transforms into a hub of education and inspiration from Friday through Sunday. A powerhouse lineup of internationally acclaimed professional bonsai artists will host engaging demonstrations and lectures, sharing their insights on styling, wiring, and the philosophy behind the art. Attendees will have the rare opportunity to learn directly from industry icons, including: Sergio Cuan, Owen Reich, Sean Smith, William N. Valavanis, Jim Doyle, Bob Mahler, & Chase Rosade.
Vendor Showcase
The curated marketplace will include 20 vendors who will be offering, starter trees, tools, handmade bonsai containers, as well as developed bonsai and supplies to elevate or begin your journey to bonsai.
Live Auction of Outstanding Bonsai
The crown jewel of the six-day festival takes place on Saturday evening with a special, curated live auction. This is a truly unmissable event for collectors, featuring significant, specimen trees sourced from the finest collections on the East Coast—including The Kennett Collection, the permanent collection of Longwood Gardens, and the persona lcollection of legendary artist Wm. N. Valavanis.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you come for the high-stakes thrill of the Saturday night auction, the educational weekend lectures, or simply a quiet weekday stroll through the stunning conservatorydisplays, the Longwood Gardens Bonsai Festival is the ultimate celebration of harmony between humanity and nature. Mark your calendars for June 24–29, 2025 and prepare to see nature through a beautifully focused lens.
This annual show was held on May 9-10, 2026 at the Frederick Meijur Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a world-class sculpture park and gardens, this beautiful park features art and horticulture events year-around. This weekend the bonsai public was also treated to the Chihuly Exhibits both indoors and throughout the park. Dale Chihuly is a renowned American artist who revolutionized studio glass, moving it from functional craft into large-scale, vibrant, abstract installations well known internationally.
There are many bonsai organizations throughout the state and they all work together combining their talents to host the bonsai show featuring their beautiful bonsai for the public to enjoy and appreciate. There were several demonstrations each day in addition to workshops where the public and bonsai community could work on their bonsai skills to improve and create new bonsai for their personal collections. Over one dozen vendors brought their best ware for sale, which the bonsai community and public found valuable.
The park also has an impressive bonsai collection and garden which is well maintained. A large-size Japanese yew bonsai masterpiece welcomed visitors to the show with a huge, well balanced trunk featuring dead wood. The tree was originally about 15 feet tall before the late Bruce Baker collected it and transformed it to an impressive bonsai. The first backhoe he used to dig the massive tree broke and another was necessary to complete the digging before he began training it.
This is a well-organized show hosted by the friendly bonsai club members who made everyone welcome to their art they are all proud of and enjoyed sharing. I’ve seen countless shows throughout the world, and the All-State Michigan Bonsai Show is one of the well-organized and hosted shows I’ve has the pleasure of participating and sharing my knowledge and skill.
Spring is my favorite season the year. All new tender and fresh growth and blossoms, even on maples are particularly attractive and prepare for the soon (hopefully) growing season to begin. Although winter is not completely over yet (snow forecast for next Friday) and nearly everything is now positioned for the summer in the garden. We have all been busy shuffling trees into the garage for cold evening protection and must be returned outside during daylight. It is a good thing Diane had us get heavy sturdy carts to make moving large heavy trees. Also, they are used at exhibitions for moving bonsai.
Enjoy my images of our bonsai beauty during this season of the year, as it won’t last long. Colors change daily which necessitates photographing every day.
Tomio Yamada, 3rd generation proprietor of Seiko-en Bonsai Garden in Omiya Bonsai Village has passed away quite recently. Seiko-en Bonsai Garden was founded by his grandfather Shonosuke but was then named the Oukei-en Bonsai Garden in Ugusudani during the Kaei Period (1848-1854) in Edo (now Tokyo) Japan. The garden was moved to Omiya Bonsai Village in 1943 with his father Kamajiro and the name was changed.
Kamajiro Yamada
He started his formal bonsai training with his father in 1965. Both were outstanding sensitive arts I had the honor to meet them on my second day of study with Kyuzo Murata in June 1970. Preserving the taste and art of Edo, Seiko-en Bonsai Garden pursues the refined beauty and elegance of the seasons. They have authored many books together. This garden is one of the highlights of my bonsai tours.
Mr. Yamada first displayed a Needle juniper at the 1976 Saku Fu Bonsai Exhibition and won an award. He displayed often and won the coveted “Prime Minister’s Award” in 1985. Tomio Yamada specialized on evergreen bonsai but was skilled with all species. His literati and clinging-to-a-rock plantings were exceptional.
He was the curator of the famous Takagi Bonsai Collection which later became the basic core of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum. In 2012 he became an officer of the museum and greatly supports their mission. As the Director of the Omiya Bonsai Union he worked tersely establishing the “Omiya Brand” of bonsai He establishes the Japan Bonsai Artists Association in 1991. Mr. Yamada also established the Nippon Bonsai Sakka Association which has a chapter in Europe. He is a superb bonsai display master and often travels to Europe to teach his display principles.
The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum celebrating their 10th Anniversary presented a series of five-week one man bonsai exhibitions of the Top Contemporary Bonsai Masters in the world. Hiroshi Takeyama (2018) was the first to present his one-man show in spring, followed in autumn by Masahiko Kimura (2018.)
“Tomio Yamada– Bonsai Quest for Beauty” Exhibition was held from January to March 2020.
It featured 42 famous and well-known bonsai Tomio Yamada created or is credited for his design.
Mr. Yamada’s daughter, Kaori is now the 4th generation proprietor of Seiko-en Bonsai Garden. “Saika Bonsai” (Colorful Flowers) is an original creation of hers. It is kind of a crossover of bonsai and Ikebana but, using living rooted plants. In order to promote and introduce bonsai to the younger generation and ladies by using common smaller inexpensive plants and combining them in containers. She is now well-established teaching through videos and TV appearances.
Seiko-en is one of the remaining six bonsai gardens in the Omiya Bonsai Village. Although small in size, this beautiful and unique garden houses many famous classical bonsai masterpieces. There are fine-quality bonsai displayed at every turn and corner.
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