Bonsai Encyclopedia

Iconic tropical flowering plant. The colorful parts are bracts, not flowers. Best in warm regions but can be grown indoors in cooler areas. Thick trunks add character.

Iconic Japanese evergreen flowering tree. Blooms in winter to spring in red, white, and pink varieties. Glossy dark green leaves complement flowers perfectly in bonsai.

Japans iconic flowering tree. Spring blooms are spectacularly beautiful even as bonsai. Compact varieties like Fuji-zakura suit bonsai. Post-bloom care determines next years flowering.

Evergreen from southern China. Small glossy leaves, white flowers, and red berries. Tropical species popular worldwide as indoor bonsai. Trunk bark has unique texture.

Evergreen shrub with pure white fragrant flowers. Single-flower types bear orange fruit in autumn, enjoying both blooms and berries. Popular from shohin to mini bonsai.

Iconic Japanese conifer with fan-shaped scale leaves and reddish-brown bark. Famous as temple building material with refreshing fragrance. Enjoyed as shohin to medium bonsai.

The quintessential flowering bonsai, blooming with fragrant flowers in early spring. Aged bark and elegant blossoms embody traditional Japanese beauty. Cherished since ancient times.

Japan's only deciduous conifer. Enjoy four seasons from spring budding to autumn gold to winter silhouette. Native to alpine regions with powerful trunk character.

A tree deeply connected to Buddhism. Heart-shaped leaves are characteristic but can be reduced in bonsai. Yellow flowers and autumn color are attractive. Evokes temple atmosphere.

The quintessential deciduous bonsai, showcasing all four seasons — spring green, summer foliage, autumn color, winter silhouette. Fine ramification and small leaves are the hallmarks.

Familiar deciduous shrub from Japanese cuisine. Small leaves and branch thorns create delicate bonsai character. Early summer flowers and red autumn berries. Unique fragrance.

Representative fruiting bonsai with beautiful autumn-colored fruits. Aged trees develop characterful cracked bark. Dwarf persimmon (Rouya-gaki) is especially popular.

One of the supreme bonsai species. Short needles in bundles of five and dignified trunk character. Slow growth maintains form well. Good entry point for conifer bonsai.

Flowering bonsai with translucent waxy yellow blooms in midwinter. Sweet fragrance drifts through winter gardens. Precious species blooming when few others do. Improves with age.

Close relative of Japanese white pine with larger cones and edible pine nuts. Native to Korea, China, and Russia. Very cold-hardy with powerful trunks and rich foliage.

Fragrant purple flowers are the main attraction. Suited for cool regions like Hokkaido and Tohoku. Dwarf varieties work well for small bonsai. Enjoy spring fragrance up close.

Japanese native juniper with sharp needle-like foliage. Rougher texture than Shimpaku. Versatile from shohin to large sizes. Excellent for deadwood features.