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...

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...

And so we move into the inevitable drizzle and grey skies that typify our Pacific Northwest marine winter months— graced by surprising moments of clear skies and sunshine midst the haze of fog and low clouds of our rainforest climate. For nurseries like ours, the...

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....

Now is the perfect time to get a Bonsai Tree of your own.  

An artist’s dream is for the artistic gift to be fully realized— the resulting creation to be seen and loved into newness by the eyes of someone for whom the presence of the artwork brings ongoing delight. This is not easily achieved— the road from the artist’s hand...

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...

This wonderful quince is “Toyo Nishiki” — the extraordinary cultivar that features red, pink and white blooms on one plant. It has been on display at several of my shows, and now resides permanently at this address.... so I’m waiting patiently (not...) to see what...

This lovely Azalea is reminding us that Spring will come again! We are on the threshold of a severe weather event— this is how we describe snow in the Pacific Northwest, bringing as it does rainy sleet and icy conditions making travel seriously difficult. It almost...

I just found this neat interview, and since I don’t know how to copy and paste here, I’ll just send my dear readers to the link:—https://blog.hardyplantsociety.org/featured-hortlandia-nursery-bonsai-akira/ I’m ever so grateful to this organization and the support it...

Since I launched Bonsai Akira in February 2016 at the Northwest Home and Garden Show, I have had a roller coaster ride of fun exhilarating and somewhat precarious experiences keeping my small nursery and art studio for bonsai afloat on he seas of change! This year...

Kokedama — the Japanese-inspired art of wrapping plants in moss— has been around for centuries. Adapted for living in small spaces this technique allows for a vertical “garden” in front of a window. No better use of space than filling it with live greenery. They are...

After being asked several years ago by a friend to “make my tree into a bonsai” I decided it was time to take what I have learned from bonsai to styling larger trees in the landscape. A myriad of approaches are possible— from the rather formal and somewhat contrived...

Happiest of holidays! Thank you for checking out my site! I am honoring the 20% off posting of almost all the bonsai in the shop for one more week. The sale price is indicated under the item in the gallery, allowing you to purchase for yourself or for gift giving this...

A favorite among my bonsai experiments came back into my care this year. This was a Styrax japonica— not often seen as a bonsai specimen. The purchaser allowed me to take it back for repotting, and some adjustment of the structure. We don’t always get to see the long...

Working with trees in containers has given me a knowledge base that allows me to assess trees in the landscape when the desire is to place the tree in a different location. Having moved several Japanese Maples without undue mishap, I am now advising clients on the...

Being a bonsai gardener allows me to create front door displays with more than one plant, with groupings according to the season. How exciting to see a whole “garden” of bonsai and accent plants in bloom, This is a hidden benefit for the bonsai stylist or hobbyist, as...

Sometimes I get to visit with an old friend. This time it was to repot a lovely Japanese Maple—“Fireglow.” I feel especially privileged when a customer has enough faith in me to schedule a styling visit in home, for care and upkeep of a fine specimen. The tree in this...