Bonsai Trees

Collecting from Gardens

One of the first places to look for potential bonsai material is actually in your own garden. An old juniper growing on the rockery that has got too large perhaps? Mature and woody shrubs that need replacing may be ideal subjects for bonsai training.

Take a good look around friends' and neighbours' gardens also. They may well have a plant that takes your eye and could be happy to exchange it for a new shrub that you agree to provide. Or it may be that several years down the line they decide to revamp their garden and remember that you were interested in a particular plant. It has happened to me several times!

Take your time to carefully dig up as much of the root as possible. If the tree is large, then it is advisable to remove some of the foliage. Deciduous trees can be cut back hard and will often bud back on the trunk. Conifers should be pruned more carefully, ensuring that a reasonable amount of foliage is retained for photosynthesis. Back budding can take place on some conifers after the tree is established.

The important factor is that the tree should survive the uprooting and the ideal time for collecting is early spring, although with good aftercare some trees can survive lifting at other, less ideal times of the year.

Seed
Cuttings
Air Layering
Bonsai Nurseries
Collecting from Gardens
Collecting from the Wild
Garden Centre Stock