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Ten Years and a New Challenge

Ten Years and a New Challenge

Sometimes a new direction emerges because you are asked a simple question. This happened a few months ago when a caller enquired if I could do a presentation on “Natives for Bonsai”. This idea intrigued her, and it came from reading my website. A novice to bonsai, she...
Showtime for Japanese Maple!

Showtime for Japanese Maple!

My lovely maple, Acer palmatum “Mikawa Yatsubusa”, remains on display at Lake Oswego Flowers, where she is happily emerging from winter’s slumbers with new foliage buds— so thrilling to see! If you are in the area, stop in and say hello to proprietor and wedding...
Christmas 2024– Season of Quiet…

Christmas 2024– Season of Quiet…

Our work is never done when we care for the miniature trees— for weather is a variant we cannot control. However, in these quiet winter months, if the trees are tucked into their safe place, we can contemplate them in dormancy and consider how we might grow them in...
Bonsai Akira at Lake Oswego Flowers!

Bonsai Akira at Lake Oswego Flowers!

Thank you, Gary, for including my selection of bonsai for your soft opening of the new shop! The trees are very happy under the lights indoors out of the wet, doing their color changes and strutting their stuff for all the walk-in customers. A new floral design studio...
Landscape Pruning Available

Landscape Pruning Available

I’ve mentioned before that I’m launching a new business— “For Love of Maples…”. Taking new clients for landscape pruning of your precious specimen Japanese maples, conifers and shrubs. This is my eighth year and having a new apprentice enables me to expand my...

Bonsai Classes Resume in 2024

I’ve added the first class for the upcoming season to the events tab— please call or email to reserve your spot. Looking forward to introducing our participants to the elements of bonsai— come and join us for this hands on session and go home with a bonsai to love and...
My Bonsai Poem

My Bonsai Poem

BONSAI (for Ryan Neil— creator of The Artisan Cup) The way they dance, even while standing still This is what moves me. The way they dance and move. The way they sing, even without words, Even with their silence. They sing their praises. They know who they are— the...
Landscape Pruning— Year Eight

Landscape Pruning— Year Eight

When I began bonsai styling I little imagined it would become a career— rather it was a series of experiments I felt compelled to undertake with the trees themselves  as my guides. After a few years I began to see the pruning of landscape garden trees as a natural...
The Blessings of Autumn

The Blessings of Autumn

There are whole seasons where keeping a bonsai garden is simply work with little reward. The uncertainties of weather, stresses on the trees that were unforeseen, waiting for maturity and full development— many times we are tempted to say it’s not worth the time and...
Bonsai as Icon

Bonsai as Icon

I’ve been thinking for a long time about why bonsai are so compelling to the viewer—both as art form and living object needing care. This month the term I’m playing with is “icon.” As you may know, an icon is a window— or better, a doorway— into the Divine Presence....
Japanese Larch— A Case of Less is More

Japanese Larch— A Case of Less is More

A lesson learned is worth repeating. Once upon a time I could not resolve a design issue, and moved into new territory by choosing a pot that seemed entirely too small for the tree. Voila! The tree was suddenly in perfect balance, and began to dance— by which I mean...