Highlights from the eighth US Nationwide Bonsai Exhibition – half 2

One development stood out clearly at this yr’s US Nationwide Bonsai Exhibition: the prevalence of North American natives.

Regardless of their rising recognition over the previous ten to fifteen years, natives have made up a comparatively small portion of the timber on the Nationwide Exhibition. That is possible as a result of it takes time to coach bonsai to an ample degree earlier than they are often introduced at high-level exhibitions.

This yr there was number of natives on show, so I wished to deal with a number of the highlights. Let’s begin with one in every of my favorites, a Rocky Mountain juniper by Amy Blanton.

Rocky Mountain juniper

A few of you would possibly acknowledge this tree from the 2015 Artisans Cup the place it was awarded third place. Should you’re curious what it appeared like eight years in the past, right here’s a photograph from the Cup.

Rocky Mountain juniper

Right here’s one other Rocky Mountain juniper from Dan Turner. This tree gained the Bonsai West award for for Best Evergreen Bonsai.

Rocky Mountain juniper

One native species I’d having fun with seeing extra of is Douglas fir. The gentle foliage and craggy bark at all times jogs my memory of journeys to the mountains.

Douglas fir by Dan Turner

I additionally sit up for seeing extra Japanese white cedars. The foliage helps numerous approaches to pad development which suggests we’ll see specimens that convey very completely different interpretations of the species. Listed here are two approaches.

Japanese white cedar by Suthin Sukosolvisit

Japanese white cedar by Mike Roussel – Winner, Kennet Bonsai Award for best bonsai from Canada

Ponderosa pines have lengthy been a fixture amongst native North American species because of their sinuous trunk strains and aged deadwood. Right here’s a specimen from John Ruth.

Ponderosa pine

Amongst native deciduous conifers, larch have nice historical past as bonsai, notably within the Northeast. Right here’s a specimen introduced within the cascade type.

American larch by Brian Kelley

The final species we’ll have a look at right now is Colorado blue spruce. The species has develop into widespread for its brief, straight needles and aged bark and deadwood.

The specimen beneath, by Karen Harkaway, gained the ABS North American Bonsai Award for best North American species bonsai.

Colorado blue spruce – container by Erik Križovenský

One other Colorado Blue spruce, additionally in a container by Erik Križovenský, suggests a a lot bigger tree rising in an open panorama.

Colorado blue spruce by Thomas Ungrey

I hope you loved this transient tour of the US Nationwide Exhibition! Should you’re curious about seeing the entire timber on show on the exhibition, you may pre-order the exhibit catalog from Worldwide Bonsai.

Have any favorites among the many entries above? Be at liberty to share within the feedback beneath.