Exotic Bonsai Choices
Most bonsai gardeners are content with the more common deciduous, confierous, or fruit trees when developing their bonsai art collection. But, more exotic bonsai varieties can be found that allow the bonsai artist to further develop his or her skills.
An example of an exotic choice is Wisteria, a plant native to Korea, China, and Japan which can reach more than 30 feet in size in the wild. Not conforming to any of the traditional bonsai styles, Wisteria can make for an interesting challenge.
The flowers, assuming a variety of colors – blue, pink, white, and purple – are both beautiful and aromatic. They bloom in the spring at which time they need a lot of water, so long as there is adequate drainage. Wisteria do well in full sun to partial shade. Provide ample fertilizer in spring just before they flower, then again in late summer while the leaves are still present.
If you love fragrant flowers, an excellent option is Orange Jasmine which produces a bright red fruit and fragrant white blossoms, bringing both delight to the nose and beauty to the eye.
Starting in early spring and continuing through mid-autumn, feed Orange Jasmine every three to four weeks. Except in the hotter summer months when slightly more water is needed, only light watering is adequate for the rest of the year.
Because they generally do better in moderate shade or filtered sun, Orange Jasmine is one of the few bonsai that can, and should be cultivated indoors.
Mimosa, or silk trees as they are sometimes called because of their long silky filaments, are as fragrant as either of the two choices above. Their lacy foliage and puffy flowers are also just as lovely.
Moderate water should be provided to the Mimosa during the blooming season which is from late April to early July. However, care should be given to avoid getting water on the flowers themselves, since the flowers will rapidly deteriorate when wet, much like a number of other flowering plants.
Be prepared to give your Mimosa plenty of room in your display area as the Mimosa will be one of the larger bonsai in your collection. Because they grow rapidly and have large leaves, they are difficult to sustain in a very small size.
The Desert Rose is another non-traditional bonsai that can turn an ordinary collection into one full of color and excitement. This native of East Africa can grow up to 10 feet in the wild and produce large, pink, trumpet-bowl flowers.
The Desert Rose should be kept outdoors most of the year as they need ample sunshine and lots of fresh air. With their very bushy growing habit, they will make an excellent design complement to the many traditional bonsai in your collection.
However, the Desert Rose is sensitive to cold, so they should be brought indoors in cold climates or during periods of cold weather as they will not thrive in temperatures below 10C (50F). With temperatures in the 10C-15C (50F-60F) range, they will lie dormant and healthy and during this period they will need very little water.
You can expand your bonsai design horizons by trying your hand at a few of these beautiful and fragrant flowering plants. Spaced among some of the standard evergreens – pines, firs and others – they provide a nice contrast. You’ll also have a constantly changing display, as they flower in spring and lose their leaves in the fall.
George Dodge presents bonsai gardening tips for beginning bonsai gardeners on his Bonsai Tree Gardening site where he encourages you to experiment with exotic bonsai choices to enhance your collection. He has long enjoyed landscaping and gardening as a hobby.
Tags: bonsai, bonsai gardening, bonsai trees, exotic bonsai, growing bonsai
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