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Bonsai Encyclopedia

Encyclopedia of popular bonsai species with care guides, traits, and styling tips.

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Showing 5 of 137 species

Boston ivy© Rowan Adams / CC BY-SA 4.0

Boston ivy

Parthenocissus tricuspidata

Beginner

A deciduous climber of the grape family prized for fiery autumn colour, clinging to walls and trees with adhesive pads on its tendrils. Bonsai use this deciduous 'summer ivy', not evergreen English-type ivy.

Autumn colourClimberBeginner-friendly
Hamilton's spindletree© Mason Brock (Masebrock) / Public domain

Hamilton's spindletree

Euonymus hamiltonianus

Beginner

A deciduous spindletree whose square, pale pink fruits hang in clusters in autumn and split into four to reveal red-coated seeds. Good autumn colour too. Male and female flowers are on separate plants, so a male tree ensures fruit.

FruitingAutumn colourDeciduous
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Miyasama trident maple

Acer buergerianum 'Miyasama'

Beginner

Said to descend from a Taiwanese trident maple brought to the Fushimi-no-miya imperial household, and also called Taiwan kaede. It branches more densely and colours more brightly in autumn than ordinary trident maple, and is used for small bonsai and group plantings.

Beginner-friendlyDeciduousAutumn colour
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Satsuki azalea 'Yata-no-kagami'

Rhododendron indicum 'Yata-no-kagami'

Beginner

An old satsuki of unknown parentage dating from the Meiji era, with medium deep-red flowers marked by a large white centre. Its glossy, thick leaves colour beautifully in autumn, and it is vigorous and easy to train.

FloweringSatsuki azaleaClassic cultivar
Winged spindle© Dandarmkd / CC BY-SA 4.0

Winged spindle

Euonymus alatus

Beginner

A deciduous shrub counted among the world's three great autumn-colour trees, turning brilliant red. Corky wings along the stems are distinctive, and red-coated seeds appear in autumn. A single plant sets fruit.

Autumn colourDeciduousFruiting
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Bonsai FAQ

How much do bonsai cost?
Mini bonsai cost 1,000-5,000 yen, medium bonsai 5,000-50,000 yen, and masterpiece-class large bonsai hundreds of thousands to millions of yen depending on age, size, and form.
Can beginners start bonsai?
Starting with small Japanese maple, Shimpaku juniper, or Japanese white pine is recommended. With basic watering and 1-2 annual prunings, beginners can fully enjoy bonsai.
How long do bonsai live?
With proper care, bonsai can live for hundreds of years. Japan has many bonsai several centuries old, valued as art pieces passed down across generations.
What should I check when buying bonsai?
Look at root spread, trunk movement, and branch balance. Beginners may enjoy starting with affordable raw material trees and shaping them, rather than finished specimens.
What's most important for bonsai care?
Daily watering is the most important task. Water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, twice daily in summer (morning and evening). Keep outdoors in a spot with good airflow and sunlight.