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Japanese Larch–Larix kaempferi

Japanese Larch–Larix kaempferi

A deciduous conifer, so graceful! This larch was obtained from Wee Tree Farms in 2016. I found the perfect container, a pottery vessel by Sherri Aytche, after I decided on the angle it should be set to. So exciting to see the new leaves emerging today! NOT FOR...

Shimpaku Juniper/Juniperus sinensis

A classic Asian styling of a Chinese juniper This lovely tree was initially styled by my friend Robert Cho of Asia Pacific gardening. After some neglect at the back of a nursery, I took it home to retire. The structure was intact, but it needed some refinement. Now I...
The Second Camellia sasanqua—“Setsugekka”

The Second Camellia sasanqua—“Setsugekka”

Winter-blooming white Camellia is s stunner! “Setsugekka” is the quintessential Camellia, with its winter flowers of soft glossy white petals surrounding stamens of gold, giving sustained elegance with its longlasting bloom time. This one is presented in...
Favorite Camellia is now a bonsai specimen

Favorite Camellia is now a bonsai specimen

Christmas icon becomes miniature treasure This beautiful tree bloomed for three months, from mid-November through January. “Yuletide” is one of the finest sasanqua camellias, lwith large, single petals of bright crimson, holding a central “eye”...
Welcome to Bonsai Akira!

Welcome to Bonsai Akira!

Our website is ready! This website represents a dream come true for me, a dream of starting a bonsai nursery. After several years as a hobbyist, I launched Bonsai Akira in Portland, Oregon, in the summer of 2015. “Akira” means “clarity”, and,...
Picea orientalis “Aureospicata”

Picea orientalis “Aureospicata”

Golden Spruce A complicated cultivar to get to behave, this tree will leave you stunned if you find its structure hiding under all that foliage. I have reduced the branches by about two thirds to get to a silhouette that begins to reveal the tree’s outline and...
Bonsai for the regional artist

Bonsai for the regional artist

A beautiful expression of my vision of bonsai as an art form Just came across an article on bonsai as an indigenous art form representing a region-specific expression of the relationship between artist and nature. This exactly dovetails with my own view that bonsai...
Sacramento Art Festival

Sacramento Art Festival

Latest display features fall flowering trees This weekend is the annual Art Festival at the Convention Center in Sacramento. What a beautiful city! My new collection of pottery handbuilt by Portland ceramic artist Sherri Aytche will be featured in the plantings on...
Camellia sasanqua “Setsugekka”

Camellia sasanqua “Setsugekka”

Japanese camellia with white flowers Beautiful winter blooming camellia with large white single blossoms in December.  Sasanqua camellias are known for the distinctive yellow “eye” stamen ring within the blossoms.  Blooms last for weeks in the cold weather...