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The Inaugural Fall Fruit & Foliage Bonsai Exhibition

A display of bonsai trees with vibrant autumn foliage, set against a black curtain backdrop. The arrangement includes three bonsai trees in various pots, showcasing intricate root structures and colorful leaves, along with two small decorative plants on wooden stands.

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.

A display of bonsai trees featuring a vibrant red maple bonsai on a stand, a green ginkgo bonsai in a pot, and various smaller plants and decorative elements on a black table.

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.

An arrangement of bonsai trees on a black table. The display includes a tall green pine bonsai, a small flowering bonsai, and a vibrant maple bonsai with autumn foliage. The background features a black curtain.
A vibrant bonsai tree with lush green leaves and small yellow fruits, displayed in a ceramic pot on a wooden table against a dark background.
Two decorative bonsai plants displayed on a table. The left features a colorful arrangement of small plants in a unique pot, while the right showcases a tall bonsai tree in a round pot with moss.
An arrangement of bonsai trees displayed on tables in front of a black backdrop, showcasing various species and styles.
A beautifully styled bonsai tree with lush green leaves and a red fruit, displayed in a ceramic pot on an ornate wooden stand, alongside a small flower arrangement in a pot.
A ginkgo tree bonsai with vibrant green leaves, displayed in a gray pot atop a wooden base, set against a black backdrop.
A vibrant bonsai tree with red and green leaves, set on a textured stone base, placed on a wooden table against a dark curtain background.
A lush, green bonsai tree with small berries, displayed in a ceramic pot on a wooden table against a dark background.
A vibrant bonsai tree with colorful leaves transitioning from green to orange, displayed in a blue pot on a wooden surface, against a black background.

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.

A beautifully shaped bonsai tree with vibrant green and orange leaves, displayed in a terracotta pot, set against a dark backdrop.
A large bonsai tree displayed in a ceramic pot on a wooden stand, next to a smaller moss arrangement on a wooden slab, set against a black curtain.
A display of three bonsai trees on a table, with a black backdrop. The left tree features vibrant green and reddish leaves planted in a blue pot and wooden stand. The center tree is small with decorative foliage, while the right tree has lush green foliage on a textured trunk, also on a wooden base.

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.

A vibrant bonsai tree with yellow and orange leaves, placed on a green pot with moss, displayed on a red wooden stand, alongside a small blue pot containing bright green grass.
A healthy bonsai tree with vibrant green leaves and a sturdy trunk, displayed in a round metal pot, set against a dark background.
A bonsai tree with lush green leaves and a single large yellow fruit, displayed in a green ceramic pot on a decorative wooden base.
A bonsai tree with a twisted trunk and vibrant autumn leaves in shades of red and yellow, displayed in a green ceramic pot on a wooden table.

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.

A bonsai tree with vibrant red leaves displayed in a gray pot, set on a wooden base. Next to it, a small plate features a cluster of green moss and yellow flowers, against a black backdrop.
A bonsai tree arrangement featuring multiple small trees with green and reddish leaves, set on a bed of moss and rocks in a decorative pot.
A detailed view of a bonsai tree displayed in a decorative pot, featuring vibrant green leaves and a textured trunk, placed against a light blue wall.

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.

A beautifully crafted bonsai tree with a twisted trunk and abundant red fruit, placed in a decorative pot with moss on top of a wooden surface.

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.

A close-up of a yellow pear hanging from a branch with green leaves, set against a dark background.
A ripe pomegranate fruit hanging on a branch surrounded by green leaves.
Close-up of bright red berries on a branch with green leaves against a dark background.
A close-up of delicate pink flowers with green stems against a black background.
A beautifully crafted bonsai tree with vibrant orange and yellow leaves, displayed in a ceramic pot and set against a dark background.
Three decorative bonsai trees displayed on wooden stands with a black backdrop.
A lush green bonsai tree with thick foliage, set in a red ceramic pot on a wooden display stand against a black background.
A lush bonsai tree with vibrant green leaves and small white flowers, displayed in a blue ceramic pot on an intricately carved wooden stand against a black background.
A bonsai plant with green leaves and white flowers displayed in a decorative pot on a wooden stand against a black background.
A decorative arrangement featuring two ceramic birds surrounded by autumn leaves, moss, and a vibrant branch with red berries, set on a textured surface.
A decorative arrangement featuring vibrant autumn leaves, red berries, and two small bird figurines, displayed on a textured surface with moss and natural materials.
A bronze bird sculpture with a rounded body and a raised tail, positioned on a wooden surface near small granules resembling birdseed.
A carved wooden figure of a beaver sitting on a log, accompanied by small acorn-like objects on a wooden base.
A display of various artistic stone arrangements on black tables, with shelves showcasing intricately shaped rocks against a backdrop of soft light filtering through beige curtains.
A collection of bonsai trees in various stages of autumn colors displayed on black tables, with a black backdrop.
Banner welcoming visitors to the Fall Fruit & Foliage Bonsai Exhibition on October 17 & 18, 2026, presented by Hidden Lake Gardens and Michigan State University, featuring logos of the American Bonsai Society and Jack Wikle Bonsai Legacy.

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