Bonsai Encyclopedia

A deciduous rose-family tree whose pinnate leaves turn scarlet in autumn, with clusters of red berries that stay on after leaf fall. Flat heads of small white flowers appear in early summer. It prefers cool climates and is hard to keep long in warm lowlands.

An evergreen relative of akebi, also called tokiwa-akebi ('evergreen akebi'). In spring it bears flowers with white sepals marked red-purple inside, and in autumn purple fruits 5–8 cm long that, unlike akebi, rarely split open.

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.

A hibai-group cultivar regarded as the classic red ume. It bears deep red, double, medium flowers, and even the pith of thin twigs and the leaf stalks are deep red. Fragrant and a standard red ume for bonsai.

A dwarf, small-leaved maple with a beautiful spring flush: young leaves are edged red-purple, turn green in summer and colour yellow, orange and red in autumn. It spreads wider than tall with dense branching—a staple for shohin maples.

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.

An extremely dwarf maple with tiny leaves and very short internodes—a representative yatsubusa maple. It builds dense, finely branched trees even in tiny pots, making it a staple for shohin and mame bonsai, and roots readily from cuttings.

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.

A flowering ume said to have been planted along old highways as a waymark for travellers. Large single flowers described as pale pink to red. A prefectural trial found it thickens its trunk well and grows very vigorously.

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

A mutation of Japanese black pine found on the Seto Inland Sea coast at Takamatsu, Kagawa. Its trunk and branch bark thickens into cork and splits deeply, giving even young trees the rugged look of a weathered old pine.

Evergreen shrub with gorgeous flowers. Large flower clusters color spring. Alpine varieties prefer cool conditions, requiring some experience. Post-bloom care is crucial.

A maple whose young shoots turn brilliant coral in autumn and winter. Only first- and second-year growth colours; older wood fades. The red twigs after leaf fall are the highlight, and it is sold both as bonsai and as a garden tree.

An old satsuki of unknown parentage grown since before the Meiji era, with small, pale salmon-pink single flowers. Its slightly narrow small leaves, good branching and vigorous budding make it easy to train as bonsai.

A 'spring maple' of the iroha-momiji group, whose new leaves emerge red and colour well again in autumn. Small-leaved and offering two seasons of colour, it is regularly sold as shohin to medium maple bonsai.

Evergreen shrub covered in tiny white star-shaped flowers. Extremely small leaves perfect for shohin to mini bonsai. Roots thicken well for exposed root style. Indoor capable.