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Today, more than ever before, we have a wealth of bonsai material at
landscape nurseries, in greenhouses, plant shops, and bonsai specialty
shops. The woodlands have always been a source of supply and trainable
plants are easily spotted by the trained eye. The best place to look for
these plants are areas with poor soil, rocky regions or on hillsides.
This is where you would find plants that are semi-dwarfed due to poor
soil conditions or the fact that their roots are clinging to a rocky
crevice. Look for plants that are well-branched, with a thick heavy
trunk. More than likely these will be well-rooted and if you're really
lucky, you might find one with some surface roots showing. The
treasure of plants that lurk in nurseries across the country is
unbelievable. We have plants of all types, shapes, and distinctions from
all parts of the world. Many of them are excellent bonsai subjects. It
would be difficult to tell you what to look for in Detroit, Albany or
Charleston and if I told you what could be found in Greensboro, N. C.,
it wouldn't do you much good if you lived in Alabama. So I will list
some of the plants that are excellent bonsai subjects and can be found
at landscape nurseries safely growing in nursery cans. Some of them have
many varieties, such as the pine with about fifty, but look and ask for
the ones that are miniature or prostrate in growth habit. For most largo
shrubs today, there is a dwarf variety. Choose that dwarf and save
yourself some time in development.
Please note that this is only a beginner's list. After you are
accustomed to what makes a good bonsai subject, you can probably add a
dozen more varieties easily.
- Azalea
- Beech
- Birch
- Blueberry
- Boxwood
- Camellia
- Cedar
- Cherry
- Cotoneaster
- Crabapple
- Crape Myrtle
- Cypress
- Daphne
- Dogwood
- Elm
- Euonymus
- Fir
- Forsythia
- Fruit Trees
- Hemlock
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- Holly
- Hornbeam
- Huckleberry
- Juniper
- Laurel
- Maple
- Nandina
- Pine
- Pyracantha
- Redwood
- Quince
- Rhododendron
- Spruce
- Sweetgum
- Willow
- Wisteria
- Yew
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This list of plants are those that are hardy and should be kept
outdoors year round. The Azalea, euonymus, and camellia can also be
grown indoors with good results. Check with your local nursery to find
what may not be hardy in your temperature zone. |
