Bonsai Encyclopedia
102 detailed species sheets to guide you in the art of bonsai.
102 species found
102 species found
American Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua
Red, orange, violet, yellow — sometimes all at once on the same tree. Sweetgum is the bonsai of autumn colours taken to the extreme. What makes it unique. Liquidambar styraciflua possesses two visual characteristics that few species combine. The first: its star-shaped five- to seven-lobed leaves that take on extraordinarily varied autumn hues — from blood red to deep violet, through burnt orange and luminous yellow, often several colours simultaneously on the same subject. The second: its young shoots that develop longitudinal corky wing ridges with age, giving the branches a winged, rough and highly characteristic appearance found on no other common bonsai broadleaf. These corky wings persist in winter on bare wood and constitute a decorative element in their own right. Origin. Native to eastern North America — from the humid lowlands of the Atlantic coast to the forests of the southern Appalachians — Liquidambar styraciflua grows naturally in alluvial zones, along waterways and in mixed forests with fresh, slightly acidic soils. Its Latin name evokes its aromatic resin — storax — used for centuries in medicine and perfumery. Cultivated in Europe since the 17th century as an ornamental tree, it is now present in many parks and gardens, which facilitates the collection of cuttings or quality young plants. A bonsai of seasonal rewards. Sweetgum is a tree that demands patience: shaping takes time, growth is moderate in a pot, and achieving intense autumn colours requires careful fertilization management at the end of the season. In return, each well-managed autumn produces a visual spectacle that few bonsai species can equal. It is a choice for practitioners who enjoy working on the long term and who value seasonal transformation as much as silhouette.
Amur Maple
Acer ginnala
A one-tree autumn fire. What makes it unique. Acer ginnala is one of the most spectacular maples in autumn: its small trilobed leaves turn vivid scarlet, often before any other tree. This early colouring, combined with vigorous growth and naturally fine ramification, makes it an ideal candidate for Japanese-inspired styles such as hokidachi or sokan. In bonsai, its leaves reduce well with defoliation, revealing an airy silhouette of great elegance. Origin. Native to Manchuria, northern China, Korea, and Japan, Acer ginnala grows naturally at forest edges and along watercourses, often in understorey or on exposed slopes. Its range extends into eastern Siberia, which explains its exceptional cold hardiness: it withstands winters down to -35 °C without protection. In North America, it is widely grown as an ornamental tree in the coldest parts of Canada and the northern United States, where few other maples match it for hardiness. A vigorous, colourful bonsai. Acer ginnala is made for bonsai growers who live in regions with harsh winters and want a seasonal tree with strong visual impact. Its vigour requires consistent attention during the growing season — it can extend its shoots very quickly — but its hardiness more than compensates: it recovers well from mistakes, bounces back after hard pruning, and does not sulk in difficult conditions.
Atlas Cedar
Cedrus atlantica
Patience rewarded. What makes it unique. Atlas Cedar is one of the rare bonsai species capable of imposing a majestic presence through sheer architecture alone. Its short needles, clustered in dense tufts on brachyblasts — those short shoots characteristic of the Cedrus genus — display a blue-silver to blue-green hue depending on the individual, luminous and shifting with the light. Its naturally horizontal, tiered branching evokes the great mountain cedars shaped by centuries of wind. This is a tree of contemplation, not action. Origin. In the wild, Atlas Cedar grows between 1,300 and 2,200 metres above sea level in the Moroccan and Algerian Atlas mountain ranges — an environment of extreme contrasts: hot dry summers, cold snowy winters, poor rocky soils with exceptional drainage. This dual adaptation — tolerance of summer drought and winter cold — directly defines its requirements in bonsai cultivation. It belongs to the Cedrus genus alongside Cedar of Lebanon (C. libani) and Deodar Cedar (C. deodara) — some botanical classifications even treat it as a subspecies of Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani subsp. atlantica), a debate that remains open. Not to be confused with 'false cedars' such as Cryptomeria or Thuja. An expert bonsai, a tree for life. Atlas Cedar is rated advanced not because it is capricious, but because it is slow and unforgiving of mistakes: a poorly managed repotting, prolonged overwatering, or ill-timed pruning can set back years of development. A well-established tree in a suitable substrate with optimal light exposure, however, is remarkably robust. The finest Atlas Cedar bonsai specimens rank among the most respected works in European and Japanese collections.
Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum
A conifer that loses its needles. And that loves water. What makes it unique. Taxodium distichum is a delightful botanical anomaly: a deciduous conifer, placing it in the very restricted category with Larch and Metasequoia. Its flat, soft needles — arranged in two rows along the branchlets, at the origin of its epithet distichum — are a luminous tender green in spring, then gradually turn orange-russet in autumn before falling, leaving the tree bare and graphic for winter. Its base, with age, develops impressive buttresses and a fibrous, grooved bark that evokes the great cypresses of the Louisiana bayous. Origin. In nature, Taxodium distichum grows in flooded or waterlogged areas of the American Southeast — swamps, riverbeds, alluvial plains — where its roots can be submerged for several months per year. In prolonged flooding conditions, it produces emergent root formations called pneumatophores or "knees", which facilitate gas exchange in an asphyxiated soil. In bonsai, this capacity is very rarely exploited but testifies to extraordinary root physiology. A tree of American character. In miniature, Taxodium distichum is a vigorous, forgiving tree that tolerates beginner''s mistakes well — except one: lack of water. Its rapid growth makes it an excellent candidate for quickly building an imposing structure and nebari. Its bare winter silhouette, spectacular autumn transformation and unique foliage texture make it a four-season bonsai, each bringing a different face.
Bamboo
Phyllostachys / Fargesia
Hollow culms, prominent nodes, leaves that whisper in the slightest breeze — Bamboo as bonsai is a case apart in the entire encyclopaedia. What makes it unique. Bamboo is not a tree. It is a giant woody grass — a member of the Poaceae family — and this fundamental difference changes everything about its approach as bonsai. It forms no wood, heals cuts nothing like a tree: wounds remain visible and do not close; culms cannot be wired like a woody trunk; and it follows a growth logic radically different from every other species in a collection. Its appeal comes from precisely this: the architecture of the culms, the regularity of the internodes, the lightness of the foliage and the unique sound it produces in a light breeze make it an unparalleled subject for contemplation. Among the most cultivated species in bonsai: Phyllostachys nigra (black bamboo, whose culms gradually turn deep matte black — the undisputed star), Phyllostachys aurea (golden bamboo, with characteristic compressed internodes), and Fargesia murieliae or Fargesia nitida, clumping non-running bamboos, hardier and more compact. Origin. Phyllostachys are native to central and southern China, where they form dense bamboo groves in humid mountain areas. Fargesia come from the Himalaya and Tibetan plateau — the altitude bamboos, remarkably frost-hardy. Both genera were introduced to Europe in the 19th century for ornamental purposes; their cultivation as bonsai developed more recently, first in Japan then in the West. A disconcerting, contemplative, out-of-category bonsai. Bamboo bonsai demands accepting the abandonment of certain classical bonsai codes: no Jin, no Shari, no structural wiring. In return, it offers spectacular seasonal evolution, appreciable robustness and a visual and sonic presence unmatched in a collection. Recommended for curious bonsaïka, attracted to the margins of the genre.
Blackthorn / Sloe
Prunus spinosa
The Blackthorn is the first tree to flower in Europe — and it does so before putting out a single leaf. What makes it unique. Prunus spinosa has two characteristics that immediately set it apart from all other European shrubs. The first is its flowering: thousands of small brilliant white flowers, packed along still-bare shoots, appearing in February–March before any sign of vegetation. In bonsai, this winter spectacle — white on dark wood, bare silhouette under the flowers — is one of the most striking effects obtainable from a European species. The second is its thorns: actual shoots transformed into extremely hard and sharp woody points that define the very structure of the tree and give it an inimitable wild character. In autumn, small blue-black drupes covered in a characteristic waxy bloom — the sloes — persist long on the shoots after leaf fall, offering a third visual highlight of the year. Origin. Widespread throughout Europe, from the Iberian Peninsula to western Asia, Prunus spinosa is the thorny shrub of bocage hedgerows, forest edges and calcareous banks. A tireless pioneer, it rapidly colonises open environments and has constituted for centuries the defensive hedge par excellence of European countryside. Old bocage hedgerows harbour specimens with twisted thick trunks and dark fissured bark — bonsai material of a quality years of nursery cultivation cannot reproduce. Yamadori collection, with the required permits, is one of the most rewarding approaches for this species. A rustic bonsai with a well-tempered character. Prunus spinosa is a tolerant and robust species, particularly suited to practitioners beginning with European flowering deciduous trees. It forgives cultural mistakes easily, tolerates difficult conditions and responds generously to pruning. In return, it demands constant vigilance: the thorns make every intervention delicate, and the early flowering requires anticipating the pruning calendar to avoid sacrificing it.
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea glabra
A burst of color on a rough, thorny trunk — Bougainvillea is one of the most spectacular bonsai species when in bract. What makes it unique. What appears to be its flowers is not. The magnificent bright pink, red, orange, purple, or white bracts that cover the tree for several weeks a year are actually modified leaves — the true flowers, tubular and tiny, hide at the center of these bracts in groups of three. This botanical quirk explains why the bloom lasts so long and why the tree can rebloom several times in a season when conditions are right. Origin. Native to tropical South America, primarily Brazil, Bougainvillea glabra grows naturally in hot, sunny environments with marked dry seasons. Its name honors Louis Antoine de Bougainville, a French navigator whose botanical expedition brought the plant to Europe in the late 18th century. Several species and countless hybrids exist — B. glabra is the most widely used in bonsai for its vigor, suitable bract size, and generous rebloom. A generous but demanding bonsai. Bougainvillea rewards good cultivation generously: a trunk that thickens quickly, bark that cracks and colors with age, repeated flowering when the tree is controlled-stressed. In return, it does not tolerate frost, demands intense sun to bloom, and may respond to a change in conditions with sudden defoliation. It is a tree for attentive practitioners — neither a pure beginner's tree nor one for experts only.
Box Honeysuckle
Lonicera nitida
Thousands of tiny varnished leaves on naturally dense ramification — Box Honeysuckle is one of the most rewarding species for beginning outdoor bonsai. What makes it unique. Lonicera nitida has oval leaves of barely 5 to 8 mm, glossy, dark green, semi-evergreen to evergreen depending on climate — partial leaf loss is possible in cold or windy winters, especially in a pot. Its ramification densifies spontaneously at a remarkable rate, and its tolerance of pruning is almost unlimited — it withstands severe reductions without complaint and recovers within a few weeks. In spring, small cream flowers, slightly fragrant, appear discreetly, followed by small blue-black berries in autumn — slightly toxic, barely visible under the dense foliage in bonsai. Origin. Native to the mountain forests and edges of south-western China (Yunnan, Sichuan), Lonicera nitida is now widely naturalised in Europe as an ornamental hedge. This mountain origin gives it good hardiness and a tolerance of varied exposure conditions unusual among bonsai species. An accessible and fast-growing bonsai. Box Honeysuckle is often the first successful outdoor bonsai for beginning practitioners: it forgives watering errors, tolerates approximate pruning and rapidly develops a convincingly "bonsai" appearance. Its only drawback is rapid growth that demands regular attention to maintain the compactness of the style.
Buddhist Pine / Kusamaki
Podocarpus macrophyllus
Buddhist Pine bears its name well — Podocarpus macrophyllus is a tree venerated for centuries in the temples and gardens of Asia, a symbol of longevity, wisdom and peace. Called Kusamaki in Japan and Luo Han Song ("Pine of the Arhats") in China, it has adorned Buddhist monastery courtyards for millennia. In bonsai, it captivates through its elegant restraint and remarkable tolerance. What makes it unique. Unlike Japanese pines, Podocarpus is not a true pine — it belongs to the Podocarpaceae family, a group of primitive conifers present on Earth for more than 200 million years. Its leaves are flat, long and shiny dark-green, evoking the foliage of a yew rather than a pine. Female specimens produce small, decorative bluish-purple berries at maturity. Its bark, grey and finely striated, develops with age a texture of great elegance. Origin. Podocarpus macrophyllus is native to Japan, southern China and Southeast Asia, where it grows naturally in mixed forests and temperate mountain zones. Its ecological plasticity is remarkable: it thrives in full sun and in partial shade, outdoors and in a bright indoor space — a rare versatility among conifer bonsai. An accessible and enduring bonsai. Buddhist Pine is one of the most forgiving conifers in bonsai. Its slow growth limits pruning errors, its shade tolerance allows indoor cultivation, and its resilience to occasional stress makes it an excellent entry into the world of conifers. An ideal tree for progressing without hurrying.
Chinese Elm
Ulmus parvifolia
The Chinese Elm does not forgive mediocrity — but it forgives almost everything else. What makes it unique. Ulmus parvifolia is one of the most prized bonsai species in the world, and for an obvious reason: with age it develops a bark that exfoliates in irregular grey-rust patches, revealing warm tones and textures impossible to reproduce artificially. Its naturally fine ramification, small oval glossy leaves, and remarkable tolerance to repeated pruning make it an exceptional species — accessible to the beginner and capable of surprising the expert for decades. Origin. Native to China, Japan, Korea, and northern Vietnam, Ulmus parvifolia grows naturally in mixed forests and rocky scrubland of East Asia. Known as yu shu (榆树) in China, it has been cultivated as bonsai for centuries throughout the region. Its ability to thrive in widely varied conditions — coastal windy zones, dry plateaus, rocky slopes — explains its great adaptability in cultivation. An accessible, faithful, and evolving bonsai. Semi-deciduous at our latitudes, the Chinese Elm behaves differently depending on its environment: kept indoors in a heated room, it often retains its leaves all winter; outdoors, it drops them partially or entirely once temperatures fall below 8–10°C. Both situations are normal. Its rapid growth, enthusiastic response to severe pruning, and the beauty that asserts itself each year on its bark make it a lifetime companion in bonsai practice.
Chinese Hackberry
Celtis sinensis
Smooth grey bark that furrows with age, small leaves that refine season after season — Chinese Hackberry is one of the most accessible deciduous species for building a bonsai with an ancient look. What makes it unique. Celtis sinensis stands out for the exceptional quality of its bark: light grey, initially smooth on young trees, it develops over the years longitudinal ridges and corky swellings that give it the appearance of an old trunk well before its time. This trait — rare among fast-growing deciduous species — allows a visually mature and convincing bonsai to be built in just a few seasons. Its small oval leaves reduce progressively with repeated pruning — reasonably so, without reaching the spectacular reduction of Zelkova serrata or Ulmus parvifolia. In autumn, small round berries shifting from orange to deep black dot the foliage — an appreciated decorative detail, best removed on actively developing or weakened trees to avoid dispersing the tree's energy. Origin. Native to eastern China, Japan, and the Korean peninsula, Celtis sinensis grows naturally in low- to mid-altitude forests, often at forest edges or on well-drained rocky terrain. Belonging to the Cannabaceae family, its leaf shape resembles that of elms — slightly asymmetric at the base, finely toothed — without close botanical kinship. This resemblance is a morphological convergence, not a botanical relationship. Its natural toughness makes it a pioneer species capable of colonising difficult environments — a quality that carries over into bonsai cultivation. A forgiving and fast-growing bonsai. Celtis sinensis forgives beginner mistakes, withstands harsh winters, rebounds vigorously after the most severe pruning, and develops dense branching without excessive effort. It is an ideal choice for learning the fundamentals of deciduous bonsai work without risking a fragile subject. Its only real demand: full light — without which branching quality and leaf reduction rapidly lose their effectiveness.
Chinese Hibiscus
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Chinese Hibiscus is the king of flowering bonsai — its spectacular tropical blooms succeed one another relentlessly from spring to autumn. What makes it unique. Its flowers are extraordinary for a bonsai: large, widely flared, in red, pink, yellow, orange, or white depending on the variety, they can reach 10 to 15 cm in diameter. Each flower lasts only one day — but on a vigorous tree, new buds open continuously, creating an almost unbroken flowering display. Its foliage is equally remarkable: large oval leaves, glossy dark green, slightly lobed and toothed, forming a dense, lush backdrop. Origin. The exact origin of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis remains uncertain — it has been cultivated so long in tropical Asia (China, India, Indonesia) that it no longer exists in a truly wild state. Its cultivation stretches back several millennia, first in China where it was called the "China rose". Today naturalised in all tropical and subtropical regions of the world, it embodies lush tropical vegetation. This origin dictates everything: constant warmth, intense light, and humidity are its three fundamental needs. The vast majority of hibiscus available commercially are hybrid cultivars selected and crossed over centuries for their flowering — there is no longer a truly wild form of the species. This long history of selection explains the extraordinary diversity of colours and flower shapes available. A light-demanding bonsai. Hibiscus only flowers in full light — this is its main constraint indoors. A well-lit apartment and a summer stay outdoors are the two conditions for achieving this spectacular flowering. Without sufficient light, flower buds abort before opening.
Chinese Juniper
Juniperus chinensis
Chinese Juniper is one of the most widely practised bonsai in Europe, and for good reason: it combines robustness, stylistic versatility, and an ability to develop deadwood of rare mineral beauty. Its adult, scale-like, dense foliage lends itself admirably to dramatic styles — particularly jin and shari that evoke lightning-struck trees of high altitudes. What makes it unique. Juniperus chinensis is not a uniform species: in bonsai, this name covers several cultivars selected for their compact adult foliage. Two dominate the market: Itoigawa: fine foliage, an intense emerald green, with an almost velvety texture. Prized for delicate and refined styles. Note: if the tree is stressed (insufficient light, heavy repotting), it may revert to spiny juvenile foliage, which is difficult to convert back to adult. Kishu: denser and darker foliage, more compact and robust growth. Considered more tolerant of difficult conditions, often recommended for beginners. The vast majority of Chinese Junipers sold as bonsai are carefully selected cultivars — this selection is what guarantees the retention of the characteristic adult foliage. Origin. Found from Japan to Mongolia through China and Korea, it grows naturally in conditions of extreme exposure: rocky soils, strong winds, alternating cold and drought. This origin directly shapes its cultivation as a bonsai: it dislikes excess water, it loves direct light, and it tolerates hardship better than comfort. Aesthetics. Scale-like (adult) foliage defines the Chinese Juniper as a bonsai. A tree that reverts to juvenile needle foliage — often the symptom of prolonged stress — loses its aesthetic appeal and may take years to return to the adult state. Vigilance is therefore essential.
Chinese Privet
Ligustrum sinense
Chinese Privet is one of the most popular outdoor bonsai among Asian practitioners — vigorous, easy to shape, capable of rapidly developing a thick trunk and dense, highly ramified canopy. What makes it unique. Ligustrum sinense combines several rarely coexisting qualities: vigorous growth that builds an impressive structure within a few years, small dark green oval leaves that reduce well with pruning, and a spring flowering of highly fragrant white clusters followed by small persistent black berries in autumn and winter. Its bark, grey and slightly furrowed on older specimens, develops a texture with age that evokes ancient trees. Privet back-buds readily — it breaks from dormant buds on old wood even after severe pruning, a precious quality for shaping. Origin. Native to central and southern China and Taiwan, Ligustrum sinense grows naturally at forest edges, in hedgerows and on wooded hillsides. Its ecological plasticity allows it to adapt to highly varied conditions — one of the reasons for its worldwide popularity. Note: it is considered invasive in some parts of the world (United States, Australia) where it has naturalised aggressively outside its native range. An accessible and versatile bonsai. Its tolerance of cultural errors, its capacity to recover after heavy pruning and its rapid growth make it one of the most recommended species for developing bonsai practitioners. It suits all classic styles — from formal to informal, from upright to cascading.
Chinese Wisteria
Wisteria sinensis
Chinese Wisteria is a spring explosion of fragrant mauve clusters on bare, gnarled wood — one of the most spectacular flowering bonsai, and one of the most vigorous to master. What makes it unique. Wisteria sinensis is a deciduous vine of remarkable growth power, capable of producing long pendant clusters of intensely fragrant blue-violet flowers from April, before the leaves have even appeared. This offset — flowers on bare wood — creates a striking visual effect, very different from Japanese Wisteria (Wisteria floribunda), which flowers simultaneously with the foliage. Its stems twine counterclockwise — a botanical characteristic that distinguishes it from Japanese Wisteria, which twines clockwise. With age, the trunk develops a grey, wrinkled and twisted bark of great expressiveness. Origin and natural habitat. Native to central and eastern China, Chinese Wisteria grows naturally at forest edges, along watercourses, and on sunny slopes, where it climbs to the canopy by coiling around available supports. It has been cultivated as an ornamental plant in Europe since the 19th century and has naturalised in some regions. A bonsai demanding on one precise point. The exceptional vigour of Wisteria sinensis is its primary cultural constraint: without regular, rigorous pruning, the tree produces foliage and wood at the expense of flowering. Mastery of the pruning cycle — summer and winter — is the key to abundant, regular flowering. A well-managed Wisteria more than compensates for this investment with an incomparable spring spectacle. Flowering depends as much on vigour control as on wood age — light, pruning, and fertilisation all work together in the same direction.
Citrus Trees
Citrus
White flowers in the depths of winter, tiny fruits that persist for months, fragrance that fills the room — Citrus bonsai is a feast for the senses. What makes it unique. No other bonsai species simultaneously offers fragrant flowering, decorative fruiting, and lustrous evergreen foliage. A well-tended Citrus can carry buds, open flowers, and ripening fruits at the same time: a spectacle that is impossible to ignore. The fragrance of the flowers, sweet and powerful at once, makes it an incomparable indoor bonsai in late winter. Among the species most cultivated in bonsai: Citrus limon (lemon tree), Citrus reticulata (mandarin), Citrus myrtifolia (chinotto, with small round fruits and tiny leaves), and Fortunella japonica (kumquat, often grouped with the Citrus family in bonsai culture). Origin. Native to the subtropical regions of Southeast Asia and the Yunnan province of China, citrus fruits were spread by trade routes to the Mediterranean basin two millennia ago. Their culture in pots is documented in China since the Tang dynasty. In Europe, the royal orangery — a room dedicated to overwintering them frost-free — bears witness to their status as precious trees long before the word "bonsai" was known in the West. Demanding on light, generous in beauty. Citrus rewards the careful and punishes the negligent. It requires a great deal of sun, a careful transition between indoors and outdoors, and quality water. In return, it offers multiple flowerings each year, ornamental fruits month after month, and a visual and olfactory presence unmatched in any collection. Recommended for bonsaïka who already have a few seasons of experience.
Common Ash
Fraxinus excelsior
In the depths of winter, when all trees look alike, the Ash is immediately recognisable, even from a distance, by its jet-black buds set in pairs on pale grey shoots — a striking contrast unique in European flora. What makes it unique. Fraxinus Excelsior is one of the few common bonsai with compound pinnate leaves — each leaf groups 7–13 leaflets arranged in opposite pairs, giving the ramification an unusual lightness and transparency. This foliar structure, reducible through cultivation, creates an airy silhouette very different from simple-leaved species. The black buds in winter on grey wood are one of the most recognisable traits of the Ash — and one of the most beautiful winter spectacles a European bonsai can offer. In autumn, the foliage turns a luminous yellow before an early, clean drop. The bark, smooth and grey on young subjects, is progressively carved by interlaced furrows with age — a sculptural texture that contributes greatly to the visual ageing of the tree. The Ash also develops a thick trunk rapidly, making it an excellent choice for bonsaïka who want to build a powerful structure in few seasons. Origin. The name Fraxinus comes from Latin meaning lance — the wood of the Ash, flexible and strong, was used to make lance and javelin shafts in Antiquity. Fraxinus Excelsior is the dominant species in the alluvial forests and riparian woodlands of Europe, from the Caucasus to the British Isles. In bonsai, it is widely practised in Central Europe and Great Britain, appreciated for its indigenous character and hardiness. It remains less represented in French collections than maples or hornbeams, which gives it singular interest for collectors seeking to step off the beaten path. A European bonsai of character. The Ash is made for bonsaïka who love trees with strong seasonal character, a striking winter structure, and who are not afraid of regular maintenance. Its rapid growth and vigour reward frequent pruning with increasingly fine ramification. An ideal species to represent the temperate European forest in miniature, with a natural presence and authenticity difficult to match.
Common Box
Buxus sempervirens
Common Box is one of the most accessible outdoor bonsai in Europe — and one of the most patient. Its slow growth, often seen as a flaw, is in reality its greatest quality: it naturally produces short internodes, dense foliage, and fine ramification that lend themselves beautifully to elaborate styles. What makes it unique. Buxus sempervirens has small, oval, leathery leaves — dark glossy green above and paler below. Its wood is exceptionally hard and dense — one of the heaviest in Europe — giving it remarkable longevity and the ability to develop highly textured trunks over time. A characteristic, slightly acrid scent is released when pruning: the unmistakable signature of box. Origin. Native to Mediterranean Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor, box naturally colonizes calcareous woodland understories, cliffs, and rocky slopes. It grows slowly but surely in sometimes hostile conditions — summer drought, winter cold, poor soils. This toughness makes it particularly well suited to the European climate and year-round outdoor cultivation. Aesthetics. The slowness of box is not an obstacle — it is an invitation to work on the long term. Old specimens develop a greyed, deeply striated bark of great beauty. It lends itself to formal styles as well as free forms, and its small leaves allow a fineness of ramification rare among European species.
Common Fig
Ficus carica
The Common Fig is one of the most rewarding bonsai species — it repays even beginners with rapid growth, dense ramification, and edible miniature figs. What makes it unique. Ficus carica stands apart in the bonsai world: one of the few fruit trees genuinely adapted to outdoor bonsai, with fine ramification achieved quickly, an exceptional capacity to thicken the trunk at speed, and a vigour that forgives many beginner mistakes. Leaves are large and deeply lobed — distinctive, immediately recognisable, and reducible through cultivation. The milky sap, latex, is a characteristic trait: it flows abundantly at cuts and hardens within minutes into a white film. It can irritate skin and eyes in some individuals. The Common Fig naturally develops a spectacular nebari — surface roots spread wide and muscular, rapidly ageing the tree visually. In a pot, the trunk thickens at an unusual speed for a bonsai, making it an excellent choice for practitioners who want tangible results. The bark, pale beige to silver-grey, smooth on young subjects, cracks and develops character with age. Origin. The name Ficus carica refers to Caria, a region of present-day Turkey where the ancient Greeks discovered and selected the cultivated fig. Native to a vast zone from the Middle East to Central Asia, naturalised for millennia across the Mediterranean Basin, the Common Fig is one of the oldest trees cultivated by humans — predating wheat and barley according to some archaeological findings. In bonsai, it has long been practised in Mediterranean countries, though it remains less iconic in the wider bonsai culture than the Asian Ficus species (benjamina, ginseng). An accessible and rewarding bonsai. The Common Fig is often recommended as a first outdoor bonsai: it grows fast, recovers well after mistakes, and builds an interesting structure quickly. Yet it also interests advanced practitioners seeking powerful trunks and memorable nebari in reduced time. An ideal species for enthusiasts wanting a tree with strong Mediterranean character, immediate visual presence, and fruiting as a bonus.
Common Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna
Clouds of white flowers in May, blood-red haws in autumn, sharp thorns year-round — Hawthorn is a bonsai that divides the year into perfectly distinct sequences. What makes it unique. Hawthorn is one of the rare European bonsai to offer three distinct spectacles across the year: the dense, fragrant spring flowering, the persistent little berries (known as haws) that last into winter, and a fine, twisted ramification whose density can rival that of the most refined Japanese species. With age, the bark fissures and craters remarkably, giving the tree a very ancient character even on modest-sized subjects. Its small, deeply lobed leaves reduce readily in a pot, and its trunk develops impressive natural taper over decades. A tree that can live five centuries in open ground: time is working for you. Origin. Crataegus monogyna is native throughout temperate Europe, from the British Isles to Anatolia, from Morocco to the Caucasus. In our countryside, it has formed for centuries the dense hedgerow thickets that serve both as natural fences and as wildlife refuges. Its Latin name comes from the Greek kratos (strength) — an allusion to the exceptional hardness of its wood, one of the hardest in Europe. In bonsai, it has long been collected from ancient hedgerows and moorland, where wind and grazing have pre-sculpted remarkable forms. A robust, seasonal, resolutely European bonsai. Hawthorn is an outdoor species that tolerates no indoor overwintering — its winter dormancy is physiologically necessary. It suits patient bonsaika who seek a tree with strong natural character, with an aesthetic less codified than the Japanese classics. Solid once established, it forgives beginner mistakes better than many species — provided its seasonal rhythm is respected, and its thorns are never forgotten when working with it.
Common Hazel
Corylus Avellana
Before the first leaf bud even stirs, the Common Hazel lights up its pale gold catkins in the depths of winter — then, come spring, sets a very different challenge: taming leaves far too large for a bonsai. What makes it unique. Corylus Avellana is a tree of contrasts. In January and February, its long, supple, pendant male catkins open on bare wood and release their pollen at the slightest gust of wind — a quiet but very real spectacle in hedgerows still asleep for the winter. The female flowers, by contrast, are tiny: mere tufts of bright red stigmas barely visible to the naked eye, carried on buds distinct from the male catkins on the same tree. Then comes the real talking point among bonsaïka: its broad, rounded, doubly-toothed leaves rank among the largest a practitioner will agree to work with — reducing them is a technical exercise in its own right, not a footnote. The Common Hazel also has an uncommon stump vigour: cut hard back to the base, it returns with an energy that built its reputation in the European coppicing tradition. Origin. Native to hedgerows, woodland edges and open understorey across Europe and western Asia, from the Caucasus to the British Isles and Scandinavia, the Common Hazel tolerates chalky, calcareous slopes just as readily as the more acidic soils of forest floors. Cultivated for millennia for its hazelnuts, it has also supplied the pliant wood for fishing rods, barrel hoops and, in folk tradition, dowsing rods. This hardiness and versatility make it a deeply European species — still rare in bonsai despite how readily available it is. A formative bonsai. The Common Hazel suits bonsaïka who want to learn defoliation and leaf reduction on a species that is otherwise forgiving — it tolerates hard pruning and backbuds readily on old wood. Its naturally suckering habit lends itself beautifully to multi-trunk styles, and its winter flowering offers a season of interest that few deciduous trees provide at that time of year. A hardy, formative choice, provided you accept the regular work its leaves demand.
Common Ivy
Hedera helix
Common Ivy is the bonsai of the unexpected — tolerant of shade and cold, it develops a greyed trunk and aerial roots of wild, unique character. What makes it unique. Hedera helix is a vine with two faces: in its juvenile phase, its 3-to-5-lobed leaves, dark green with pale veining, are immediately recognisable. With age and when allowed to grow freely upward, ivy enters its adult phase: leaves become oval and unlobed, and the tree then produces small flowers and toxic black berries. In bonsai, regular pruning naturally maintains the foliage in its juvenile phase — the characteristic lobed leaves everyone recognises. On an old container specimen, the trunk gradually greys and twists, developing a pleasingly textured furrowed bark. In sufficiently humid conditions, aerial roots appear along the stems — an aesthetic detail that reinforces the wild, primitive character of the tree. With regular pruning and the passing years, the leaves progressively reduce, revealing a fine ramification of great elegance. Origin. Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, common ivy naturally colonises shaded woodland, cliffs, and old walls. Its ability to survive in deep shade and on poor soils gives it exceptional tolerance — one of the widest among all bonsai species. It is a tree of patience and character, not immediate performance. An unconventional bonsai. Ivy steps completely outside the classic Japanese bonsai repertoire — and that is precisely what makes it interesting. It lends itself particularly well to cascading styles, rock plantings, and free styles that highlight its twisted stems and clinging roots. A choice for bonsaika seeking originality and European identity.
Common Yew
Taxus baccata
The Yew is the tree of eternity. Ancient in nature, it brings to bonsai a density and presence that few species achieve — demanding a patience that redefines the scale of time. What makes it unique. Taxus baccata is one of Europe's oldest trees — some specimens exceed two thousand years. In bonsai, this longevity translates into slow, steady growth that builds, season after season, a trunk with remarkably rich, scaly reddish-brown bark. The evergreen foliage — deep green, almost black on the upper surface and lighter beneath — contrasts in autumn with the vivid red arils, the fleshy coverings surrounding the seed. The Yew is also one of the few conifers capable of back-budding on old wood after severe pruning, a rare property that makes it particularly tolerant of deep restructuring. Origin. Taxus baccata is found across a vast area stretching from Ireland to Iran, from the forests of central Europe to the mountains of North Africa. In its natural habitat, it grows in the understorey of oak and beech forests, in cool gorges, and on north-facing slopes. It is a tree of stable environments, capable of thriving in deep shade where few species survive. In European cemeteries and churchyards, Yews planted in the Middle Ages are still alive — witnesses to a rare botanical continuity. A bonsai for those who think in decades. The Yew rewards consistency, not impatience. Its slow growth discourages the restless, but produces a dense wood and a presence that fast-growing species never achieve. Important: all parts of the tree, except the red aril, are highly toxic to humans and animals — a factor to integrate seriously into its environment.
Cornelian Cherry
Cornus mas
Clusters of tiny yellow flowers on bare wood in February — Cornus mas is one of the very first outdoor bonsai to emerge from winter, sometimes before the late March snow. What makes it unique. Cornus mas flowers directly on aged shoots and branches, before any leaf appears, in small bright yellow umbels grouped along bare wood. This early, understated, luminous winter flowering contrasts with the complete nakedness of the silhouette. In summer, bright red cherry-shaped drupes ripen gradually — edible, slightly tart, they have been used for centuries in jams and liqueurs. In autumn, the foliage turns orange-red before falling. Origin. Native to forest edges and garrigue scrubland from central and southern Europe to Asia Minor, Cornus mas grows in varied soils — calcareous or not — in partial shade or full sun. This remarkable adaptability to very different conditions makes it one of the easiest native European species to cultivate as bonsai. A generous European bonsai. Its robustness, tolerance of pruning, exceptional cold-hardiness, and early flowering make it an ideal bonsai for those beginning with a strong-character European species. It ages well, develops a beautiful scaly grey bark over time, and reliably rewards with flowers and fruits without demanding special conditions.
Corylopsis — Spike Winter Hazel
Corylopsis spicata
In February, when nothing else flowers, Corylopsis unfurls its drooping clusters of pale yellow, fragrant blooms on bare wood. That is its sole purpose — and it is more than enough. What makes it unique. Corylopsis spicata is one of the earliest-flowering bonsai in the entire encyclopedia. Its flowers appear in pendant clusters, light and airy, in a luminous sulphur yellow, before any leaf bud stirs — sometimes from the end of January in mild winters. The fragrance is subtle but real, soft and faintly honeyed. This winter flowering on bare wood gives it a unique character in the collection: while all other trees still sleep, Corylopsis is already in celebration. Its heart-shaped foliage, a beautiful blue-green during the growing season, turns golden yellow in autumn before falling. The fine ramification and naturally arching small branches create a delicate silhouette, quite unlike species with a rigid bearing. Origin. The botanical name comes from Greek: corylus (hazel) and opsis (resembling) — the tree does indeed resemble hazel in its leaves and habit. The epithet spicata refers to the spike-like form of its inflorescence. Native to the mountain forests of Japan (mainly Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu), it grows in cool, lightly shaded understorey in the wild. As a bonsai, it remains relatively uncommon in Europe despite its qualities — a hidden gem of Western collections. A contemplative bonsai for lovers of early flowering. Corylopsis is a tree for bonsaïka who know how to wait and who seek something different from the great Japanese classics. It demands little maintenance out of season, restrained pruning to preserve its flowering, and rewards patience with a rare spectacle in the depths of winter. Recommended for collectors who want a different tree with a strong seasonal personality.
Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica
Crape Myrtle is a triple aesthetic event: spectacular summer flowering, a unique multicolour exfoliating bark, and flamboyant autumn foliage — three seasons of interest on a single tree. What makes it unique. Lagerstroemia indica is a deciduous shrub with a remarkable trunk and branches: the bark detaches each year in thin plates, revealing smooth tones alternating light grey, pink beige, cinnamon brown, and salmon pink depending on the zone and the age of the subject. This mosaic of colours on bare wood makes it one of the most ornamental bonsai outside of any flowering. In summer, clusters of flowers with finely fringed petals open abundantly in shades ranging from pure white to vivid pink, deep red, and mauve. In autumn, the foliage takes on orange to vivid red tones before leaf drop. Origin and natural habitat. Originating from southern China and widely cultivated and naturalised in Korea and Japan, Lagerstroemia indica grows naturally in regions with hot, humid summers, on well-draining soils. It appreciates intense summer heat — a condition directly linked to the abundance of its flowering. A bonsai demanding on two specific points. Crape Myrtle requires sufficient summer heat to flower generously, and constant vigilance against powdery mildew — its primary vulnerability. Beyond these two points, it is an accommodating species, fast-growing, that develops over the years into subjects of great nobility.
Dawn Redwood
Metasequoia glyptostroboides
A botanical ghost returned to life. What makes it unique. Metasequoia glyptostroboides is one of the rare trees described first as a fossil — known to palaeobotanists for millions of years through rock imprints — before being discovered alive. In 1944, a Chinese forester located a population of several hundred trees in a remote valley on the border of Sichuan and Hubei. The scientific world was astonished: a species considered extinct for five million years was quietly growing in the mountains of central China. Its flat, soft needles, arranged in opposite rows along the shoots, turn a brilliant orange-russet in autumn before falling — a rare behaviour for a conifer. Its growth rate is among the fastest of all conifers suitable for bonsai. Origin. In the wild, Dawn Redwood grows in narrow, humid valleys of central China, along watercourses, on rich, well-drained alluvial soils. Under these conditions it develops imposing trunks with fluted boles and fibrous red-brown bark, reaching over 50 metres in height. Since its rediscovery, it has been planted worldwide as an ornamental tree and is now a familiar presence in European parks and botanical gardens. A fast-construction bonsai. In bonsai, Metasequoia glyptostroboides is one of the most accessible conifers: its natural vigour allows a thick trunk, a fluted base, and full ramification to be built in a few years — development that other species would take decades to achieve. Its deciduous nature — it drops its needles each autumn — produces a graphic, open winter silhouette reminiscent of the bare giant redwoods. A tree for the patient practitioner who wants to see their bonsai grow quickly.
Dwarf Jade / Elephant Bush
Portulacaria afra
The elephants' favourite food, turned bonsai. What makes it unique. Portulacaria afra is often confused with Crassula ovata — both are South African succulents with round, fleshy leaves, both called "Jade tree". But they are two distinct species with very different profiles. Portulacaria produces notably smaller leaves, carried on reddish to red-brown stems that contrast with the vivid green of the foliage — a naturally elegant colour palette. Its trunk lignifies and thickens with surprising speed for a succulent, developing a textured grey-brown bark that quickly gives it the appearance of an aged specimen. In South Africa, it is one of the elephant's favourite food plants — hence its nickname "Elephant Bush" or "Spekboom" in Afrikaans. Origin. Native to the semi-arid zones of eastern South Africa, Portulacaria afra grows naturally in thornbush and rocky areas of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, often alongside aloes and euphorbias. It is one of the most important plants in South Africa's semi-arid ecosystems — not only as a food source for wildlife, but also as a remarkable carbon sink: it fixes up to ten times more CO₂ per hectare than most plants. A beginner's bonsai, a lifetime's progression. In bonsai, Portulacaria afra is one of the most accessible species that exists: it forgives missed waterings, tolerates variable light, prunes easily and regrows vigorously. It is often the first succulent bonsai for beginners. But its ceiling is high — with the years, a well-worked Portulacaria develops a massive base, a striated trunk and a character that few beginners anticipate when purchasing a small specimen.
Dwarf Schefflera
Schefflera arboricola
A fan-shaped foliage, spectacular aerial roots, and a tolerance for mistakes that reassures beginners. What makes it unique. Schefflera arboricola stands out for its palmate compound leaves — seven to nine glossy leaflets radiating from a central petiole — and its capacity to develop thick aerial roots that descend along the trunk, evoking the architecture of great tropical banyans. This aerial root system, patiently cultivated, is one of the most sought-after characteristics of this species in bonsai. Origin. Native to Taiwan and southern China, Schefflera arboricola grows naturally in the humid understorey and forest edges of tropical Southeast Asia. In its natural environment, it develops primarily as a shrub or small tree, and can occasionally behave as an epiphyte or hemi-epiphyte, starting its growth on other plants before rooting in the soil. Botanically, the currently accepted name is Heptapleurum arboricola, but Schefflera arboricola remains the horticultural reference. An accessible and spectacular bonsai. Schefflera arboricola is one of the few truly forgiving indoor bonsai. Its compact growth and natural adaptation to pot culture make it an easier species to master than Schefflera actinophylla, whose final size would be difficult to contain. It tolerates varied light conditions, resprouts well after hard pruning, and offers a rare morphological plasticity. In return, it is intolerant of cold and sensitive to draughts — two points never to be overlooked.
Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana
The most practiced conifer bonsai in the United States — and one of the most overlooked outside North America. What makes it unique. Juniperus virginiana possesses two assets that few conifers combine: a dense, aromatic wood naturally resistant to decomposition — producing jin and shari of exceptional quality — and a mixed foliage with juvenile sharp needles and adult soft scales sometimes coexisting on the same subject. Its characteristic red-brown bark detaches in thin fibrous strips that curl slightly, creating a texture very distinct from Japanese junipers. The berries — small fleshy blue-grey drupes covered in a whitish bloom — appear in autumn on female subjects and persist through winter, adding a remarkable colour contrast against the dark green foliage. Origin. Distributed throughout the eastern half of North America, from southern Canada to Florida and west to the Great Plains, Juniperus virginiana is one of the most prevalent trees of the American rural landscape. It actively colonises abandoned fields, roadsides, and fence lines — these old specimens, twisted and weather-beaten for decades, are one of the most sought-after yamadori resources for American bonsai practitioners. Its aromatic red wood — the famous "cedar" of old clothes chests — is immediately recognisable by its scent. An accessible and spectacular bonsai. Juniperus virginiana is often the first serious conifer for American bonsaika: hardy, tolerant, responding well to basic techniques, and offering exceptional deadwood potential from the very first years. Its wide availability as yamadori and through specialised nurseries in the United States makes it the reference species on the North American continent, progressively discovered by European and Japanese practitioners drawn to the quality of its natural deadwood.
English Oak
Quercus robur
English Oak is the emblematic tree of temperate Europe — robustness, longevity, rootedness. Quercus robur as a bonsai is a life project: its slow growth demands years of work before yielding the tortured, powerful silhouette of ancient forest oaks. But every season brings its reward, and the tree acquires with time a character no fast-growing species can imitate. What makes it unique. Oak develops a thick trunk, deeply fluted and furrowed, with a visual power rare among European bonsai species. Its characteristic lobed foliage is immediately recognisable. In autumn, the leaves turn to copper-gold brown — and unlike most deciduous trees, they often persist on the branches throughout winter without falling: this is marcescence, a precious aesthetic quality that provides visual interest through the coldest season. In spring, the emergence of tender green leaves against dark wood is an annual spectacle that oak enthusiasts never tire of watching. Marcescence. A phenomenon particular to certain oaks (and to beech), marcescence is the persistence of dead leaves on branches in winter. In Quercus robur, it varies between individuals and years — some specimens display it strongly, others barely at all. It disappears progressively in spring as the new buds push. In bonsai, it is a unique winter aesthetic asset. Origin. Quercus robur is native throughout Europe, from the Atlantic to the Urals. It grows naturally in mixed forests, hedgerows and woodland edges, from plains to 1,500 m altitude. Its longevity is exceptional — certain European specimens exceed 1,000 years. Oak yamadori. Fine yamadori specimens are regularly found in bocage hedgerows, woodland edges and old European nurseries. Note: a collected oak requires 2 to 4 years of convalescence before truly resuming bonsai development — reconstituting the root system and mycorrhizae takes time. Patience during this initial phase determines all future development. A bonsai for the determined patient. Oak is not a species for those seeking quick results. But for the bonsai practitioner who accepts time as raw material, it offers a fascinating path of progression — and well-advanced specimens rank among the most impressive bonsai in European collections.
Enkianthus — Japanese Bells
Enkianthus campanulatus
Three seasons of spectacle in a single tree: cream and pink bells in spring, fresh green foliage in summer, blazing red and orange in autumn. Enkianthus is a collector's bonsai that is never forgotten. What makes it unique. Enkianthus campanulatus possesses a rare structural characteristic among bonsai: its ramification is whorled — branches emerge naturally in regular whorls around the trunk, creating a tiered pagoda architecture that needs no wiring to impress. On a fine subject, this superposition of horizontal tiers gives the tree a perfectly legible silhouette, even in winter on bare wood. Its flowers — small pendant bells of cream-white to rose veined with red — appear in spring in graceful clusters just as the first leaves emerge. Then comes autumn: Enkianthus produces one of the most intense foliar colorations in the plant world, a blend of crimson red, copper orange, and golden yellow that rivals the finest Japanese maples. It belongs to the Ericaceae family, alongside azaleas and rhododendrons — and shares with them the same requirements for acidic substrate. Origin. Enkianthus campanulatus is native to the mountain forests of Japan, where it grows in the understorey on acidic volcanic soils, often alongside maples and oaks. The genus name derives from the Greek enkuos (swollen) and anthos (flower) — an allusion to the inflated bell shape of its corollas. In Japan, it has been cultivated as bonsai for centuries, precisely for the combination of its three decorative seasons. A bonsai for seasonal enthusiasts. Enkianthus suits bonsaika seeking a subject with strong seasonal visual impact and naturally elegant architecture. Its requirements for acidic substrate and regular watering place it at an intermediate level — not difficult, but not forgiving either. In return, it offers one of the most beautiful autumn foliages in any collection.
European Beech
Fagus sylvatica
The European Beech is the tree of patience — and of reward. What makes it unique. Fagus sylvatica stands apart by its smooth, silver-grey bark of rare elegance, which contrasts magnificently with the intense copper of its dead leaves in winter. For beech is marcescent: it retains its dead leaves on the branches throughout winter, a spectacular phenomenon that transforms the winter silhouette into a composition in its own right. In spring, young leaves emerge in a tender, silky green before hardening in summer. In autumn, the foliage turns copper, gold, and orange depending on the individual. Origin. Fagus sylvatica is one of the most widespread trees in Europe. It naturally covers the plains and mountain forests from the Atlantic to the Urals, from Denmark to Sicily. In France, it forms the dominant species in numerous forests — Compiègne forest, the Vosges beech forests, the Norman oak-beech forests. It is a tree deeply rooted in the European landscape, which gives it immediate aesthetic legibility for a Western audience. A demanding but magnificent outdoor bonsai. Strictly outdoors, Common Beech requires regular attention: sensitive to both drought and excess water, slow to heal, not generous with back-buds. It is a species for patient practitioners, who rewards meticulous care with progressive beauty and year-round presence — spring foliage, summer shade, autumn copper, winter lacework.
European Hornbeam
Carpinus betulus
European Hornbeam is the bonsai of patience rewarded: years spent building fine ramification that, on a winter morning, reveals itself like a Japanese print against a white sky. What makes it unique. Carpinus betulus is one of the European deciduous trees best suited to refinement bonsai. Its naturally dense, opposite branching lends itself to building a fine, hierarchical crown that is rarely achieved with other species in so few years. The bark is distinctive: grey, smooth, muscular — scored with longitudinal ridges that make an aged trunk resemble an outstretched arm with prominent veins. In autumn, its leaves turn from green to copper-yellow before dead leaves, a marcescent trait, cling to the branches through part of winter — creating visual presence even out of season. Origin. Hornbeam is a major forest tree of Western and Central Europe, present from the forests of France to those of Poland. It grows in understoreys or at woodland edges, often mixed with beech and oak, on cool, heavy, slightly acidic soils. It is the traditional tree of clipped hedges and hornbeam alleys — its tolerance of severe pruning is inscribed in its biology. In the wild, it can live for several hundred years, developing fluted, gnarled trunks of great expressiveness. A structure bonsai above all. Hornbeam does not dazzle with spectacular flowering or decorative fruit. Its strength lies in structure: muscular trunk, dense branching, flawless winter silhouette. It is a tree for bonsaïka who work over the long term, who find as much satisfaction in the bare winter branching of January as in the green foliage of June.
European Larch
Larix decidua
The larch is the living paradox of the conifer world: a resinous tree that sheds its needles. In autumn it turns to gold before unveiling a skeletal framework of branches whose structure rivals the finest deciduous trees. What makes it unique. Larix decidua is one of the rare deciduous conifers — a characteristic that gives it four distinct seasonal faces. In spring, tufts of tender green needles burst into light clusters on every branch. In summer, the foliage deepens to a dense, rich green. In autumn, it transforms into a cascade of luminous gold before dropping entirely. In winter, the trunk and branch structure are revealed in their entirety — often the most telling moment for assessing the structural quality of the work. The bark, grey and finely fissured on older subjects, acquires over time the textures and orange-brown tones of great expressiveness. Origin. Native to the European Alps, the Carpathians, and the Tatras, Larix decidua is the emblematic tree of mountain forests between 1,000 and 2,500 metres altitude. It forms large pure or mixed forests, often at the timberline, exposed to winds, heavy snow, and extreme thermal variations. This origin explains its exceptional hardiness and its absolute need for open air and a marked cold dormancy. A bonsai of rigour and patience. The larch rewards bonsaika who respect its natural rhythm: bringing it out early, observing the winter structure, working the ramification over several years. It does not tolerate forcing indoors, excess fertiliser, or artificial heat. In return, it offers a complete seasonal evolution and a fine branch structure that no other conifer can match.
European Plum
Prunus domestica
The European Plum as a bonsai is a celebration of passing time. Prunus domestica offers a complete spectacle across the seasons: an immaculate white bloom on bare wood in early spring, tender green foliage that follows, decorative small plums in summer, and golden autumn colour before the bare winter silhouette. Four seasons, four faces — a tree that never repeats itself. What makes it unique. The spring bloom is the major event in the plum bonsai calendar. Flowers appear directly on the wood, before the slightest sign of foliage — a rare visual generosity that captivates even non-initiates. Fructification, if allowed to develop, produces small miniature plums that enhance the tree's aesthetics while attesting to its good health. Its grey bark, which develops characteristic fissures with age, gives old specimens a true arboreal character. Best varieties for bonsai. Small-fruit and small-leaf varieties are clearly preferable for pot culture: mirabelles, dwarf quetsches and sloes offer natural reduction of foliage and fructification that better suit bonsai proportions. Large table varieties produce fruits too heavy and leaves too large to be fully satisfying. Origin. Prunus domestica is an ancient hybrid species, probably arising from natural crossing between the blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and the cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera), cultivated since Antiquity throughout the Mediterranean basin and temperate Europe. A tree of seasons. Less technical than Japanese pines, the plum asks above all that you understand its biological rhythm — respect dormancy, seize the right moment to prune, calibrate fertilisation around blooming. An attentive bonsaïka who follows his tree's cycles will be richly rewarded.
Ezo Spruce
Picea jezoensis
The Japanese bonsai world's reference conifer — Picea jezoensis is the Hokkaido spruce that Japanese master bonsaïka have cultivated across generations. What makes it unique. Picea jezoensis develops with age a grey to brownish-grey bark that flakes in irregular plates of great aesthetic refinement. Its short flat needles, dark shiny green on the upper surface and adorned with two silver-white stomatal bands on the underside, insert on persistent foliar cushions (sterigmata) characteristic of spruces (Picea). The secondary branchlets droop naturally, giving the silhouette a lightness and movement particular to this species. It is one of the most represented conifers in the great Japanese bonsai exhibitions. Origin. Native to the humid boreal forests of Hokkaido, eastern Siberia and the mountains of Korea, Picea jezoensis grows in cold conditions, in acid, moist but well-drained forest soils, often near watercourses. This cold, humid biotope directly conditions all its cultural requirements. An exceptional bonsai for experienced practitioners. Picea jezoensis is demanding on two non-negotiable points: sufficient winter cold and regular moisture throughout the year. It tolerates neither prolonged heat nor repeated drought. Beyond these constraints, its progressive and predictable growth, its consistent behaviour under pruning and the beauty of its ageing make it one of the most rewarding conifer bonsai over the long term.
Ficus Ginseng
Ficus microcarpa 'ginseng'
The Ficus Ginseng stands out for its spectacular tuberous roots — the style should showcase them rather than conceal them. Exposed roots (Neagari) — the natural style of Ficus Ginseng. The thick, sculpted aerial roots constitute the focal point of the tree. Trunk and foliage play a secondary role. Informal upright (Moyogi) — slight trunk curves, progressively structured ramification. Works well on subjects whose roots are not yet spectacular enough for a pronounced Neagari. Root-over-rock (Sekijoju) — roots wrap around a rock before plunging into the substrate. Very dramatic, requires a rock with complementary forms to the roots. Banyan — tropical style inspired by giant fig trees, with multiple aerial trunks reaching the ground. Requires much space and time but the result is spectacular. Recommended pot. Shallow oval pot, in terracotta or slate tones, that gives full prominence to the roots. Avoid pots that are too tall, which conceal the base.
Ficus Retusa
Ficus microcarpa 'retusa'
Ficus Retusa is the indoor bonsai for the serious practitioner — for those who want to go further than the tuberous roots of Ficus Ginseng and start working a genuine tree. Its smooth grey bark, small dark green glossy oval leaves, and capacity to develop spectacular aerial roots over time make it one of the most elegant indoor bonsai available. Native to the tropical zones of Southeast Asia, southern China, and India, Ficus Retusa is a vigorous tropical fig that forgives beginner mistakes while offering considerable development potential over the long term. What distinguishes it from Ficus Ginseng: it is not sold with artificially swollen roots — it is a tree built by hand, branch by branch, year after year. Its rapid growth and excellent healing make it an ideal species for learning pruning and wiring techniques. Important botanical note. In bonsai practice, the name Ficus Retusa is very commonly used out of commercial habit to designate forms of Ficus Microcarpa. The true botanical Ficus Retusa is extremely rare on the European market. The two species are very close, have identical cultural requirements, and morphological differences are minimal for the grower. Whatever the label on your tree, the advice in this guide applies. Key characteristics: Persistent foliage, dark green, glossy, small oval leaves Smooth grey bark that naturally cracks with age Rapid growth and excellent healing Can develop aerial roots in humid conditions Very tolerant of indoor conditions
Field Maple
Acer campestre
The underestimated European maple. What makes it unique. Acer campestre is one of Europe's native maples — and probably the most widespread in hedgerows and woodland edges, among the most resilient of the genus. Where Acer palmatum demands careful attention and a sheltered position, the Field Maple grows wild in hedges, forest margins, and scrubland — on chalk, clay, or poor soil, in full sun or partial shade — without complaint. Its most distinctive aesthetic quality: with age, its stems develop a thick, corky, furrowed bark that gives trunk and branches a contorted, ancient appearance that is difficult to achieve so naturally on other species. In autumn, its foliage turns from green to a luminous golden yellow, sometimes tinged with orange. Origin. Found from the British Isles to the Caucasus, Acer campestre is one of the most widespread tree species in Europe. It grows in open woodland, hedgerows, and scrubland — often alongside hornbeam, blackthorn, and hawthorn. Its ecological adaptability is remarkable: it tolerates dry chalky soils as well as heavy clays, shaded positions as well as full sun. This versatility makes it one of the most forgiving bonsai in the Acer genus. An accessible bonsai, a noble result. In bonsai practice, Acer campestre is often recommended as a first species for growers who want to work a temperate maple without the demands of Acer palmatum. It forgives watering mistakes, tolerates hard pruning, pushes back generously from old wood, and develops over the years a character — corky bark, rough buttress roots — that more delicate species simply cannot offer.
Firethorn
Pyracantha coccinea
Embers in winter. What makes it unique. Pyracantha coccinea is one of the rare bonsai that offers its most intense spectacle in winter. Its dense clusters of small red-orange berries — persisting on the tree from September to February, sometimes longer — illuminate the dreariest period of the year with an almost incongruous intensity. In spring, it covers itself in small white flowers in dense corymbs, modest but abundant, heralding the coming fructification. Between the two: persistent or semi-persistent foliage depending on climate, dark lustrous green with slightly toothed edges. Origin. The Firethorn grows naturally in rocky zones, garrigues and forest edges of the enlarged Mediterranean basin — from southern Europe to the Caucasus and Asia Minor. Its name comes from the Greek pyr (fire) and akanthos (thorn): the fire thorn, a reference as much to the berry colour as to the formidable reality of its armed shoots. Adapted to difficult conditions, it naturally colonises poor soils, sunny slopes and dry banks. A cold-season bonsai. In miniature, Pyracantha coccinea is a tree of contrasts: vigorous and stocky in all seasons, it literally explodes in autumn when its berries take their definitive colour. It is also a tree that pushes back: its thorns complicate every pruning and wiring intervention, and its flowering occurs on the previous year's wood, requiring planning ahead. A tree for the organised practitioner, willing to plan shaping around the fructification cycle.
Fukien Tea
Carmona retusa
Carmona retusa is one of the few indoor bonsai that flowers and fruits year-round — a rare botanical generosity that has made it a staple of Asian collections. What makes it unique. Its small dark green oval leaves, dotted with distinctive white spots (hydathodes — water-secreting pores visible to the naked eye), give it an instantly recognizable texture. In favorable conditions, it produces tiny star-shaped white flowers almost continuously, followed by small red then black berries — a living ornament that few indoor species can rival. Botanical note. Ehretia microphylla (or Ehretia buxifolia) is the currently accepted scientific name — Carmona retusa is the old name, still widely used in the bonsai trade and used here by convention — along with "Fukien Tea," a reference to the coastal Chinese province (Fujian) where it originates. In the wild, it grows in humid tropical understoreys, at forest edges, in conditions of stable warmth and filtered light. That origin directly shapes its cultivation needs. Temperament. Carmona is a demanding tree on one precise point: stability. It does not tolerate sudden temperature changes, cold draughts, or being moved around. In a stable, warm, and well-lit environment, however, it rewards the bonsaïka with steady growth and dense foliage year-round.
Full Moon Maple
Acer japonicum
The lacework of Japanese mountain forests. What makes it unique. Acer japonicum stands apart from its cousin Acer palmatum through its larger, rounder, deeply lobed leaves — up to 9 to 11 lobes depending on the form — with a slightly velvety texture on the underside. Its autumn display is among the most spectacular in the maple genus: leaves transition from soft green to golden yellow, vivid orange, then crimson red within a few weeks, often showing several shades simultaneously on a single tree. In bonsai, it is easier to maintain than some fine-leaved Acer palmatum cultivars, and its naturally dense, well-proportioned ramification makes it an excellent subject for formal styles. Origin. Native to the mountain forests of Japan — primarily Honshu, at altitudes between 500 and 1,500 metres — Acer japonicum grows in shaded, humid understorey, sheltered from wind and direct summer exposure. Its natural environment is cool, well drained but never dry, with cold snowy winters and temperate summers. This mountain climate profile should be reproduced as closely as possible in bonsai, particularly by avoiding harsh midday exposure in summer. An exceptional seasonal bonsai. Acer japonicum is a fully seasonal tree in every sense: spectacular at spring bud break, luminous in summer, incandescent in autumn, and quietly elegant in winter with its bare silhouette. It is a tree for bonsai growers who appreciate slow transformation and long-term ramification work — every season brings its visual reward.
Ginkgo / Maidenhair Tree
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo is a survivor from 270 million years ago. Contemporary of the dinosaurs, it outlasted the ice ages and atomic bombings, bringing to bonsai a presence that transcends ordinary aesthetics. What makes it unique. Ginkgo biloba is the sole living representative of its botanical division — Ginkgophyta — with no close relatives on Earth. Its fan-shaped leaves with parallel venation, absolutely distinctive, have no equivalent in the current plant kingdom. In autumn, they turn within days to a pure, luminous golden yellow before falling almost simultaneously — a brief and intense spectacle. The trunk develops with age a deeply furrowed bark of geological relief, and aged specimens produce characteristic aerial root outgrowths called chichi (乳) — literally "breasts" in Japanese — considered symbols of longevity and fertility in Asian culture. Origin. Ginkgo biloba originates from eastern China, where it survives in a semi-wild state in the provinces of Zhejiang and Anhui. The species was preserved for millennia in Buddhist and Taoist temples — without this cultural protection, it would probably have disappeared. Introduced to Europe in the 18th century, it was nicknamed the "forty-coin tree" in France due to the price paid for the first imported specimen. Planted in Hiroshima less than one kilometre from the 1945 epicentre, a Ginkgo resprouted the following spring — its charred trunk is still visible today. A patient bonsai without compromise. Ginkgo is a robust species that tolerates pollution, varied soils, and handling well. In bonsai, its principal requirement is time — it takes several years for the trunk to develop character and for ramification to densify. It amply rewards this patience with an unmatched autumnal foliage and a historical presence no other tree can claim.
Hardy Fuchsia
Fuchsia magellanica
Hardy Fuchsia is the bonsai of spectacular blooms — its two-tone pendulous flowers in red and violet have no equivalent among the outdoor species in this encyclopedia. What makes it unique. Its flowers are its absolute identity: tiny bicolour lanterns — vivid red reflexed sepals, deep violet pendulous corolla — that bloom relentlessly from May to November in the right conditions. A key characteristic: flowers appear on the current year's wood — every new shoot is a future flowering point. This is what directly links pruning to floral abundance. On an old specimen with a grey, twisted trunk, the contrast between the woody structure and the exuberance of the blooms creates a striking effect. Its small, slightly serrated oval leaves in mid-green serve as a discreet backdrop that further highlights the flowers. Origin. Fuchsia magellanica originates from southern Chile and Argentina, from Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego — landscapes of wind-battered temperate rainforests. This maritime origin explains its specific needs: consistent moisture, cool temperatures, dappled shade rather than scorching full sun. It is one of the hardiest fuchsias — naturalised in Ireland and western France, where it forms spectacular flowering hedges. An extraordinary bonsai. Fuchsia stands apart from the usual paths of outdoor bonsai. Where maple and juniper rely on structure and patience, Hardy Fuchsia plays the card of immediate floral generosity. Even a young tree, correctly shaped, can offer a remarkable display from the very first season.
Heavenly Bamboo
Nandina domestica
Nandina changes colour four times a year — tender green in spring, deep green in summer, scarlet red in autumn, and bronze-purple in winter — persistent to semi-persistent depending on climate. What makes it unique. Nandina domestica is a species apart in the bonsai world: persistent but not a conifer, with bi- to tri-pinnate compound leaves of rare delicacy, it offers a seasonal chromatic palette unrivalled among outdoor bonsai with persistent foliage. The leaves — composed of numerous delicate oval leaflets — turn flaming orange-red in autumn and beautiful bronze-purple in winter, before gradually returning to green in spring. Summer flowering produces panicles of small white flowers from June to August depending on climate, followed by clusters of bright red berries persisting throughout winter — a complete seasonal spectacle on a single tree. The naturally multi-stemmed habit, sometimes trained to a dominant single stem in bonsai, often with a slightly bamboo-like quality, has earned it the name Heavenly Bamboo — though it has no botanical connection to bamboos. In bonsai, its slender silhouette and fine leaflet texture create a highly Japanese aesthetic, immediately recognisable. Origin. The name Nandina derives from the Japanese nanten (南天), itself an abbreviation of nandina in old Japanese. The species originates from a vast area stretching from the mountain regions of central and southern China to Japan and northern India, where it grows in cool, shaded undergrowth. Introduced to Europe in the 18th century as an ornamental plant, it is today widespread in temperate gardens. In bonsai, it is far more practised in Asia — Japan, China, Korea — than in Europe, where it remains a distinctive and confidential species in collections. A four-seasons contemplation bonsai. Nandina is made for bonsai practitioners who appreciate subtlety over spectacular vigour — a tree to observe over time, each season revealing a new palette. It requires few interventions, appropriate exposure, and precise watering management. In return, it offers a continuous chromatic spectacle that few species in this encyclopaedia can match.
Hinoki Cypress
Chamaecyparis obtusa
Hinoki Cypress is one of the most refined conifers in the Japanese bonsai tradition — an airy silhouette, fan-shaped deep green foliage, and a reddish bark that peels in strips with age. What makes it unique. Chamaecyparis obtusa — the Hinoki of the Japanese — is an evergreen conifer with a naturally conical form, its foliage arranged in flattened fan-shaped branchlets, deep green above and marked with silvery patterns below. Its reddish to cinnamon-brown bark fissures and peels in fine strips with age, giving old specimens an exceptional texture. Its slow growth produces slender silhouettes with fine, delicate ramification, highly prized in classical Japanese styles. Dwarf cultivars such as Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana' or 'Kosteri' are particularly appreciated for their very short internodes and natural compactness. Origin and natural habitat. Hinoki grows naturally in the mountain forests of Japan between 400 and 1,800 metres altitude, often in pure stands or mixed with Japanese cedar. It is one of Japan's most revered trees — its exceptional quality timber has been used for centuries in temples and Shinto shrines. In bonsai, dwarf cultivars such as 'Nana' and 'Kosteri' are especially valued for their inherent compactness. A bonsai of patience. Hinoki's slow growth is both its constraint and its strength: silhouettes evolve slowly, but each year brings greater foliage density and trunk girth, progressively building trees of great nobility. It is a species that does not forgive gross errors — overwatering, excessive fertilisers, ill-timed pruning — but generously rewards consistency and precision of care.
Holm Oak
Quercus ilex
An oak that never drops its leaves, survives July drought, January frost, and can live a thousand years. Holm Oak is a biological singularity that makes an exceptional bonsai. What makes it unique. Quercus ilex is one of the very few evergreen oaks in European flora — its foliage stays green year-round, dense, with small leathery leaves whose underside displays a characteristic silver-grey down. Young leaves have spiny edges reminiscent of holly — this is precisely why Linnaeus gave it the species name "Ilex". With age, the leaves lose their spines and become smooth and oval. The bark progressively cracks into dark grey-brown plates, almost black in colour — one of the most expressive among oaks — and the trunk develops impressive natural taper on yamadori specimens collected from garrigue. In autumn, small oblong acorns appear, discreet but authentic. Origin. An iconic tree of the Mediterranean basin, Holm Oak dominates the garrigue and maquis of Provence, Catalonia, Tuscany and the Maghreb. It grows equally on limestone, schist or sandstone, in conditions where most other species give up. In bonsai, the finest specimens are yamadori — collected from garrigue or dry hillsides — that arrive in pot with decades of natural pre-sculpting, short and massive trunks, and an immediately recognisable visual identity. A slow, powerful, Mediterranean bonsai. Holm Oak is a species that demands patience. Its slow growth means every millimetre of trunk, every scar, every curve has taken time — and it shows on the tree. It rewards practitioners who work over the long term and seek a subject with strong natural character. Its exceptional hardiness makes it a tree that forgives difficult conditions once established.
Horse Chestnut
Aesculus hippocastanum
In May, the white candles of the Horse Chestnut rise above the foliage like torches — spectacular, vertical, impossible to confuse with any other tree. What makes it unique. The Horse Chestnut is one of the most demanding bonsai to master. Its palmate leaves, composed of 5 to 7 leaflets, are among the largest in the entire temperate European flora — and reducing them to a scale consistent with the size of the pot is precisely what makes this tree an advanced practitioner's challenge. But those who rise to meet it are rewarded by a species of strong seasonal character: the brown-red sticky buds in winter (an immediately recognisable trait), the upright flower candles in May covered in white blooms marked with red and yellow, the ample and shading summer foliage, the golden-yellow autumn colouring before a clean leaf drop. The trunk thickens quickly and develops a grey-brown bark that splits into plates with age — highly sculptural on old specimens. The branching is opposite, as in the Ash, which demands the same pruning discipline to build a natural and non-symmetrical silhouette. An important note. The chestnuts produced by Aesculus hippocastanum are toxic to humans and most domestic animals — not to be confused with the edible chestnuts of Castanea sativa. Despite their common names, these are two species with no direct relationship. Origin. The name Hippocastanum comes from Greek: hippos (horse) and kastanon (chestnut) — the Greeks observed that these fruits, resembling chestnuts, were used to treat coughing horses in Persia and Turkey. Native to a restricted area of the Balkans, the Horse Chestnut was introduced to Western Europe in the 16th century and naturalised so rapidly that it is often considered indigenous. As a bonsai, it is practised mainly in Central Europe and Great Britain, appreciated for its spectacular flowering despite the challenge posed by its large leaves. A bonsai for advanced practitioners. The Horse Chestnut rewards bonsai growers who have mastered defoliation, who have the patience to build a structure over several seasons, and who are not daunted by a tree with a strong character. Its foliage can be significantly reduced through cultivation — but it takes time and method.
Jade Tree
Crassula ovata
The Jade Tree grows beautiful at its own pace — succulent, robust, and uncommonly forgiving for the impatient or beginner bonsaika. What makes it unique. Crassula ovata is not a bonsai in the woody sense — it is a succulent worked according to bonsai principles. Its fleshy trunk stores water and nutrients; its thick, glossy dark green leaves, red-tinged at the edges under intense light, give it an immediately recognisable silhouette. With strong light and regular pruning, leaves gradually become smaller and denser — bringing the tree closer to the bonsai aesthetic. Over the years, the trunk turns grey and cracks into small scaly plates reminiscent of a miniature old oak — an aesthetic ageing process that few indoor species offer as generously. In winter, under the right conditions, it can produce tiny pinkish-white star-shaped flowers — a rare gift that experienced bonsaika know how to coax. Origin. Native to South Africa and Mozambique, Crassula ovata grows naturally in semi-arid rocky zones with marked dry seasons. This origin shapes everything: it stores water to survive drought, detests constant humidity, and thrives under intense sun. Indoors, respecting this logic is the key to everything. A different bonsai. The classic rules of bonsai apply here with important nuances — particularly regarding watering and substrate, which work opposite to woody species. The Jade Tree rewards those who can hold back their watering instincts.
Japanese Azalea
Rhododendron japonicum
Japanese Azalea is one of the most spectacular flowering bonsai in existence. Rhododendron japonicum explodes each spring in a profusion of orange, salmon, yellow or carmine-red flowers — often before the leaves appear — in a display of colour unequalled in the world of temperate bonsai. In autumn, its deciduous foliage takes on shades of red and copper-orange, offering an equally generous second act. Rhododendron japonicum and the world of azalea bonsai. It is useful to distinguish Rhododendron japonicum — the deciduous Japanese azalea with early spring flowering — from the Satsuki (Rhododendron indicum and hybrids), the semi-persistent azalea with late flowering (May–June) frequently found in prestigious Japanese collections. Both belong to the same family and share the same fundamental requirements — acid substrate, soft water — but differ in flowering cycle, foliage and specific cultivation techniques. Rhododendron japonicum is the deciduous azalea par excellence: flowering before the leaves, intense colours, remarkable autumn colouring. What makes it unique. Its large funnel-shaped flowers — vivid orange to rosy salmon depending on the cultivar — appear in March–April directly on bare wood, in an irresistible spring surge. The simultaneous flowering of dozens of flowers on a small bonsai creates a mass of colour few species can match. Its bark, grey and finely striated, develops an elegant texture with age. The fine, dense ramification, built by years of post-flowering pruning, forms a branch network that reads beautifully in winter on a well-worked specimen. Origin. Rhododendron japonicum is native to Japan, where it grows naturally in mountain forests and acid clearings of Honshū, Shikoku and Kyūshū. It thrives on well-drained acid volcanic soils on mountain slopes — an origin that directly explains its very specific cultural requirements. A bonsai demanding on the details. Japanese Azalea is accessible to an intermediate bonsai practitioner who understands its two non-negotiable requirements: a very acid substrate and soft, lime-free water. Respect these two parameters, and the tree rewards generously.
Japanese Barberry
Berberis thunbergii
Small oval leaves, sharp thorns, blood-red berries persisting through winter — the Japanese Barberry is a four-season outdoor bonsai, accessible from the very start. What makes it unique. Berberis thunbergii offers continuous visual interest throughout the year: clusters of hanging bright-yellow flowers in spring, vivid green leaves in summer, scarlet to purple autumn colouring — one of the most intense of all outdoor bonsai — and bright-red berries that persist on bare wood throughout winter. Its thorns, technically modified leaves, are a strong visual signature that adds to the character of aged specimens. Naturally very short internodes produce dense ramification without particular effort. Origin. Native to the forests and mountain moorlands of Honshu in Japan, Berberis thunbergii has been widely distributed as an ornamental plant worldwide. Its exceptional hardiness and adaptability to highly varied conditions make it one of the most robust species on the entire bonsai list. A four-season bonsai for demanding beginners. Its ease of cultivation does not diminish its aesthetic interest — Berberis thunbergii develops with age a textured grey bark, a tapering trunk, and naturally fine ramification. Its only practical drawback: the thorns make all handling — pruning, repotting, wiring — more demanding than with a thornless species.
Japanese Black Pine
Pinus thunbergii
Japanese Black Pine is one of the pillars of the Japanese bonsai art. Called Kuromatsu — "black pine" — it is venerated throughout Japan as the prestige tree of exceptional collections. More vigorous and more robust than White Pine, it is also the reference rootstock for Pinus parviflora — a relationship that says everything about its standing in the world of pines. What makes it unique. Pinus thunbergii develops long, rigid, shiny dark-green needles grouped in pairs — a dense and dramatic foliage very different from the silvery lightness of White Pine. Its bark, grey-black and deeply fissured on old specimens, projects a remarkable raw power. Its vigour is its great quality: it responds quickly to shaping techniques and forgives cultivation errors better than its pentaphylla cousin. Origin. Native to the coastal shores of Japan, Korea and north-eastern China, Pinus thunbergii grows naturally on rocky seashores swept by sea spray — a coastal origin that explains its remarkable tolerance to salt, wind and poor soils. Natural specimens found on Japanese cliffs, twisted and sculpted by the elements, are among the most powerful sources of inspiration in the bonsai aesthetic. A pine accessible to the motivated. More forgiving than White Pine, the Kuromatsu remains a demanding species that requires understanding of one key technique: summer decandling. This technique — unique to black pines — is what allows one to obtain short needles, dense branching and the characteristic silhouette of great Japanese specimens. A determined beginner can learn it progressively without risking the tree with every mistake.
Japanese Camellia
Camellia japonica
Waxy flowers in the depths of winter, against a lacquered evergreen foliage — Camellia is one of the most elegant bonsai species in existence. What makes it unique. Camellia japonica flowers between November and April depending on the cultivar and climate — a period when almost no other bonsai species is in bloom. Its large waxy flowers, single, semi-double, or double, ranging from pure white to deep red through all shades of pink, possess a texture and formal perfection that recall porcelain flowers. Its evergreen leaves, deep glossy green and slightly leathery, constitute ornamental foliage in their own right, independent of flowering. These two qualities combined — decorative foliage year-round and spectacular winter flowering — make Camellia a rare bonsai with dual aesthetic interest. Origin. Native to the temperate and subtropical forests of Japan, southern China, and Korea, Camellia japonica grows naturally in humid woodland understories and forested slopes with well-drained acidic soils. Cultivated in Japan for over a thousand years for its ornamental flowering and cultural symbolism — the camellia flower is associated with fleeting beauty and honor in Japanese culture — it was introduced to Europe in the 18th century and naturalized in mild Atlantic regions, where it can reach several metres in height. Belonging to the Theaceae family, it is the direct botanical cousin of Camellia sinensis, the tea plant. A bonsai of patience and precision. Camellia is a slow-growing species that does not forgive timing errors — especially in pruning, which must imperatively be done after flowering or all flower buds will be sacrificed. It requires an acidic substrate and soft water, like azaleas. In return, a well-tended Camellia develops over the years a trunk of sober beauty, a finely textured grey bark, and a winter flowering that remains one of the most spectacular in the entire bonsai encyclopedia.
Japanese Cedar — Sugi
Cryptomeria japonica
A fibrous reddish-brown bark that asserts itself with age, foliage that bronzes in winter — Cryptomeria japonica is a conifer that gains character with every season. What makes it unique. Cryptomeria japonica stands apart from all other conifer bonsai by its bark: reddish-brown, fibrous, exfoliating in long strips to reveal a lighter underside beneath each layer. This decorative character develops progressively — subtle on young subjects, spectacular on aged trees. Its foliage — short, pointed needles arranged in spirals around the shoots — takes on bronze, even purple tones in winter on certain cultivars, before regaining its vigour in spring. This seasonal colour variation is entirely natural and one of the species' most appreciated traits. Origin. The emblematic conifer of Japan, Cryptomeria japonica — called Sugi in Japanese — is the national tree of the country and the most planted reforestation species in the archipelago. In its natural habitat, it can reach sixty to seventy metres in height in humid mountain forests. Its presence in Japanese culture spans millennia: the great cedar avenues of Shinto shrines, some several centuries old, are among the most imposing forest vistas in the world. In bonsai, numerous cultivars have been selected for their compactness, needle fineness, or the intensity of their winter colouration. A bonsai demanding in moisture, generous in character. Cryptomeria japonica requires constant atmospheric and root moisture — it does not tolerate drought like pines or junipers. In return, it rewards consistent care with balanced growth, dense ramification, and an appearance that deepens with every season. It is a bonsai for the attentive practitioner who appreciates species with a sober, refined aesthetic, far from the exuberance of flowering deciduous trees.
Japanese Cherry / Sakura
Prunus serrulata
The Japanese Cherry embodies Japanese aesthetics in a single tree: a spectacular, fleeting spring flowering that makes it one of the most admired bonsai in the world. Prunus serrulata is a deciduous tree with a naturally elegant bearing, capable of producing clouds of pink or white flowers from March on still-bare wood. Its silhouette structures quickly, its bark develops a characteristic network of horizontal lenticels with age. It is a generous species, responsive to pruning, that rewards those who know how to respect its seasonal rhythm. Origin and natural habitat. Native to Japan, China and Korea, Prunus serrulata grows naturally in temperate mountain forests. It was domesticated over a millennium ago in Japan, where its flowers — the sakura — became a national symbol. Ornamental cultivars number in the hundreds, but in bonsai, single-flower forms closer to the wild type are preferred. Bonsai particularities. Flowering is the central event of the year: it occurs on the previous year's wood, which requires pruning after flowering and never before. Beyond this constraint, the tree is fairly accommodating: growth is vigorous in the growing season, young wood bends easily, and autumn foliage takes on golden to orange tones. It is also sensitive to fungal diseases, particularly brown rot and bacterial canker — two vigilance points never to be overlooked.
Japanese Flowering Plum / Umé
Prunus mume
The Japanese Plum blooms while everything else still sleeps — that is its promise, and it keeps it. What makes it unique. Prunus mume is one of the rare bonsai that offers its flowering in the depths of winter, before the first leaf appears. Its flowers — white, pink or red depending on the variety, and of exceptional fragrance — open from January to March on bare wood, transforming an apparently dormant tree into a spectacular floral composition. With age, its bark becomes dark, fissured and twisted, a rare character that few species achieve in just a few decades. It is the tree of resilience and hope in Asian culture. Origin. Native to central China where it has been cultivated for over 3,000 years, Prunus mume was introduced to Japan approximately 1,500 years ago and became a major cultural symbol there. Known as Umé (梅) in Japan, it is one of the "Three Friends of Winter" (松竹梅 — pine, bamboo, plum) of the Sino-Japanese tradition, a symbol of perseverance because it blooms under snow. It is also at the heart of Japanese cuisine — its fruits give umeboshi and umeshu. An outdoor bonsai with winter blooming. Strictly outdoors, Prunus mume needs winter cold to trigger and synchronise its flowering: without a prolonged period of low temperatures, the flower buds do not open or open in a disorderly fashion. This is an intermediate-level species, generous with attentive practitioners, that rewards patience with one of the most aesthetically and emblematically beautiful flowerings in the bonsai world.
Japanese Flowering Quince
Chaenomeles japonica
Japanese Flowering Quince blooms in the depth of winter, often on still-bare wood, with an intensity that surprises every season. One of the first trees to announce spring — sometimes as early as February. What makes it unique. Chaenomeles japonica, known in Japan as Boke (木瓜), produces its flowers directly on old wood and short flowering spurs before the leaves are fully developed. This early flowering — brilliant red, orange, pink, or white depending on the variety — against still-wintry wood creates a striking contrast. In autumn, small decorative Japanese quinces, yellow-green and intensely fragrant, persist long on the branches and extend visual interest well into the first frosts. The trunk develops with age a finely scaled bark in brown-orange tones, and the branches bear thorns that, though constraining during wiring, accentuate the wild character of the tree. Origin. Native to Japan and China, Chaenomeles japonica has been cultivated in Asian gardens for centuries. In bonsai, it is particularly appreciated in the Japanese tradition for its spectacular winter flowering and cultural significance — Boke is associated with renewal and perseverance in Japanese culture. Naturalised in Europe since the eighteenth century, it has established itself in temperate gardens for its exceptional hardiness and abundant flowering even in the harshest conditions. A generous bonsai for the informed beginner. Japanese Flowering Quince is one of the most accessible outdoor species: hardy, forgiving, tolerant of watering errors, and capable of surviving very cold winters without protection. Its main requirement is to respect its biological calendar — avoid pruning at the wrong moment, ensure cold dormancy, and avoid forcing a flowering the tree produces naturally with great generosity.
Japanese Garden Juniper / Dwarf Juniper
Juniperus procumbens 'Nana'
Dwarf Juniper is often a first bonsai — rarely a last. What makes it unique. Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' is the most accessible and widespread conifer bonsai in the world. Its naturally dense foliage, remarkable tolerance for beginner mistakes, and potential for deadwood work (jin, shari) make it a species that accompanies both the earliest years of practice and the most advanced collections. Its short, blue-green needle foliage forms dense pads that structure the tree with remarkable precision over the years. Origin. Native to Japan, where it grows naturally in mountainous zones — particularly on the island of Kyushu and in coastal regions. The Nana cultivar (nana means "dwarf" in Latin) is a compact, low-growing form whose slow growth and dense ramification were specifically selected for pot and bonsai cultivation. It is now cultivated and distributed worldwide. An outdoor bonsai — patient and generous. Strictly an outdoor tree, Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' needs all four seasons and full sun to thrive. Its slow growth demands patience, but each year brings additional density and character. It is a robust and forgiving species, but requires a very free-draining substrate and measured watering. It is also one of the rare species where deadwood work — jin on branches, shari on the trunk — can transform an ordinary tree into a collector's piece.
Japanese Holly
Ilex crenata
Small glossy leaves, a ramification that densifies endlessly, grey bark that develops character with age — Japanese Holly is an evergreen broadleaf with the appearance of a conifer. What makes it unique. Ilex crenata stands out for its remarkably small leaves — one to two centimetres depending on the cultivar — deep glossy green, year-round evergreen, remaining dense even in severe cold. Its ramification responds to pinching with a precision and regularity that few broadleaf species can match: each cut generates two to three new shoots, allowing the building of foliage clouds of a fineness comparable to worked junipers and pines. Female specimens produce small glossy black berries in autumn and winter — a discreet but appreciated decorative detail. Its hardiness and tolerance of hard pruning make it a top-choice species for practitioners seeking to develop their mastery of fine detail work. Origin. Native to the temperate forests of Japan, Korea, and eastern China, Ilex crenata grows naturally in woodland understories and forest edges on slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Its genus — Ilex — is widely distributed across temperate and subtropical regions, with representatives on every continent. In horticulture, numerous cultivars have been selected for particularly small leaves or compact habit, the most used in bonsai being 'Convexa' (slightly convex leaves), 'Green Lustre' (broad and glossy leaves), and 'Helleri' (very compact dwarf habit). A bonsai for precision work. Ilex crenata is increasingly championed in Europe since the common Box was devastated by box moth and fungal diseases — it shares the same aesthetic qualities (dense evergreen foliage, small leaves, good response to pruning) without sharing its vulnerabilities. It is a species for the patient practitioner who appreciates slow and methodical work: it does not forgive impatience but generously rewards consistency.
Japanese Larch
Larix kaempferi
The Japanese Larch is the living contradiction of botany — a conifer that sheds its needles each winter and regains them in spring in a tender green that belongs to it alone. What makes it unique. Larix kaempferi belongs to one of the rare families of deciduous conifers — an anomaly in the world of resinous trees that makes it an exceptionally expressive four-season bonsai. In spring, tufts of bright green needles emerge on bare branches in an explosion of freshness that marks one of the most spectacular seasonal transitions of the entire collection. In summer, the needle rosettes take on a characteristic blue-green density. In autumn, the transformation is total: the entire tree shifts to a luminous golden yellow before the needles drop rapidly, revealing an elegantly graphic silhouette of fine branches. The reddish to warm brown bark, which flakes off in plates to reveal orange tones, develops exceptional character with age. The deadwood — jin, shari — is among the finest of the entire bonsai collection: silver-white, resistant, offering superb contrast with the foliage whether green or golden. Compared to its European cousin Larix decidua, the Japanese Larch offers shorter needles, denser ramification, and more exfoliating bark — making it the preferred species for bonsaika focused on detail work. Origin. The name Kaempferi honours Engelbert Kaempfer, the German physician and botanist who explored Japan in the late 17th century. The species is native to Japan, primarily present on the subalpine slopes of central Honshu — particularly in the Mount Fuji region and the Kiso Mountains — between 1,000 and 2,900 metres altitude. Introduced to Europe in the 19th century, it is today widely planted for its ornamental and forestry qualities. In bonsai, it is one of the most appreciated conifers in the world, particularly in Japan and central Europe. A collection bonsai, four seasons. The Japanese Larch is made for bonsaika who appreciate seasonal transformation as a spectacle in its own right. Its bare winter silhouette is as interesting as its spring foliage. Its deadwood potential places it among the species most suited to sculptural work. Accessible from the intermediate level, it rewards patience and the care given to building structure over the long term.
Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum
The Japanese Maple is one of the rare trees that offers four distinct spectacles in a single year. In spring, the palmate young leaves emerge in pink or vivid red shades depending on the cultivar — a bud break of rare delicacy. Summer brings a dense, cooling canopy. Then comes autumn, the moment for which Acer palmatum is universally admired: an explosion of colour moving through yellow, orange, and deep red before leaf fall. And winter finally reveals the bare structure of the tree — a graphic, refined silhouette that reflects the work accomplished. Native to the mountain forests of Japan, Korea, and China, it is a deciduous tree that needs winter cold to regenerate. It is not difficult, but it is demanding: it rewards those who know how to observe it and offer the right conditions at the right moment. An important note on cultivars: hundreds exist — Deshojo, Bloodgood, Katsura, Shishigashira, among others. Varieties with vivid red or very dissected foliage are often more sensitive to direct sun and desiccating wind than the straight species with green foliage. If you are growing a coloured cultivar, adapt the exposure and protection accordingly. Key characteristics: Deciduous palmate foliage, spectacular in autumn Elegant, graphic silhouette in winter Requires winter cold for dormancy Sensitive to desiccating winds and midday sun in summer
Japanese Red Pine
Pinus densiflora
The Japanese Red Pine takes its name from what nobody forgets once they have seen it: a vivid orange-red, almost copper upper bark that illuminates the silhouette even in winter. What makes it unique. Pinus densiflora — Akamatsu in Japanese, literally "red pine" — is one of the two great classical pines of Japanese bonsai alongside Pinus thunbergii (black pine). Its most distinctive characteristic is its bicoloured bark: grey and scaly at the base of the trunk, it gradually transforms into smooth plates of a luminous orange-red on the upper branches and shoots. This contrast, unique among common bonsai pines, gives Pinus densiflora a visual elegance rarely equalled by the black pine. Its needles, grouped in pairs, are longer and more supple than those of Pinus thunbergii, a brilliant slightly bluish green that takes on golden hues in autumn. Origin. Native to Japan, the Korean Peninsula, north-east China and the Russian Far East, Pinus densiflora grows naturally on sunny slopes and well-drained hills, often in association with oaks and other deciduous trees. In Japan, the Akamatsu is a culturally profound tree — present in ancient paintings, ukiyo-e woodblock prints and traditional gardens for centuries. The greatest Japanese bonsai masters have devoted decades to it, and some exhibition specimens several hundred years old belong to the most respected collections in the world. An exceptional bonsai, for committed practitioners. Pinus densiflora is more demanding than Pinus mugo and slightly more accessible than Pinus thunbergii — it occupies an ideal intermediate position for the practitioner who wishes to learn the techniques of Japanese pines without immediately confronting the rigour of the black pine. Its moderate to sustained growth, the beauty of its bark and its naturally majestic silhouette make it a long-term bonsai, capable of reaching levels of artistic expression rarely matched in other species.
Japanese Snowbell
Styrax japonicus
Tiny white bells on fine wood — Styrax japonicus flowers like few trees do in bonsai. What makes it unique. The flowering in pendulous clusters of small white bell-shaped blossoms, lightly fragrant, in May–June, is one of the most delicate spectacles of spring bonsai. The naturally horizontal branch structure, in almost automatic tiers, is ideal for the bonsai aesthetic. After flowering, small persistent oval fruits extend visual interest into autumn. Origin. Native to the mountain forests and woodland edges of Japan, China and Korea. Widely cultivated in Japan as an ornamental tree, Styrax japonicus is associated there with Zen gardens and tea gardens for the sobriety of its white flowering. A bonsai for enthusiasts. Styrax japonicus demands particular patience: flowering in bonsai requires complete winter dormancy, good light exposure and pruning that respects the previous year''s wood, the only wood that carries flower buds. In return, the tree in bloom is unforgettable. An intermediate-level species, accessible provided its rhythm is understood.
Japanese White Pine
Pinus pentaphylla
Japanese White Pine is the king of pine bonsai. Venerated for centuries in Japanese culture, the Go-yo Matsu represents for many bonsaika the quintessence of the art: a slow, demanding tree that requires years of understanding before revealing its full potential. And that is precisely why it fascinates. Botanical name. It is commonly called Pinus pentaphylla in the bonsai world — an older name still very widespread in catalogues and specialist literature. The currently accepted botanical name is Pinus parviflora, but both names refer to the same tree. What makes it unique. Its short needles, grouped in fives, with a distinctive silvery blue-green colour, give it a visual lightness that other pines do not possess. Its bark, grey and finely scaled on old specimens, develops a texture of great nobility. It lends itself to remarkable deadwood work — provided it is developed progressively, respecting the tree's vigour. And its natural bearing, often tortuous on wild specimens, immediately evokes the pines of Japanese woodblock prints. Origin and cultivation. Pinus parviflora is native to the mountain regions of Japan, Korea and northern China. In bonsai, the vast majority of quality specimens are either yamadori collected from Japanese nature or trees grafted onto a Pinus thunbergii (Japanese Black Pine) rootstock for superior vigour. This cultivation detail matters: grafted trees are more vigorous and respond better to rapid development techniques. A bonsai for the determined patient. Japanese White Pine is not a species for beginners — but a motivated beginner who understands its fundamental requirements (maximum light, ultra-draining substrate, respect for cycles) can succeed with an affordable nursery specimen. Mistakes are seldom forgiven, but each step forward is a rare satisfaction.
Japanese Wisteria
Wisteria floribunda
Japanese Wisteria is one of the most breathtaking spectacles in the bonsai calendar: clusters of violet or white flowers exceeding forty centimetres in length, suspended from a gnarled trunk of sculptured wood. What makes it unique. Wisteria floribunda is one of the most celebrated species in bonsai for evoking one of Japan's most iconic panoramas — the wisteria tunnels of Ashikaga Flower Park, where racemes hang for several metres. In bonsai, the racemes of Wisteria floribunda rank among the longest of all cultivated wisterias, and their sweet fragrance carries several metres. The trunk, twisted and fluted with age under the effect of volubile growth and mechanical stress, takes on the appearance of fossil wood with pronounced furrows — an exceptional sculptural material. Origin. Native to Japan, Wisteria floribunda has been cultivated in Japanese gardens for centuries under the name Fuji (藤). It is distinguished from its cousin Wisteria sinensis (Chinese Wisteria) by two decisive botanical details: its floral racemes open after the leaves emerge (not before), and its stem twines clockwise (sinensis twines counterclockwise). Floribunda racemes are generally longer than those of sinensis. In its natural habitat, it colonises forest edges, watercourse banks, and zones of moist partial shade in temperate Japan — a climbing vine that uses supporting trees to reach the light. A bonsai of patience and mastery. Wisteria is considered an advanced species not because of the complexity of daily care, but because of the difficulty of achieving regular flowering. Without complete cold dormancy, without precise nutritional balance (too much nitrogen = leaves without flowers), without well-timed pruning, the tree grows vigorously but stubbornly refuses to flower. A flowering Wisteria in bonsai is the reward of attentive cultivation and a deep understanding of the species' biological cycle.
Japanese Zelkova
Zelkova serrata
The Keyaki does not pretend — it is one of the most accomplished outdoor bonsai in existence. What makes it unique. Zelkova serrata fascinates twice: in summer, for the fineness of its toothed foliage and the lightness of its canopy; in winter, for the breathtaking beauty of its bare silhouette, a lacework of fine branchlets that needs no leaves to be admirable. Its autumn colours — golden yellow, orange, russet depending on the individual — make autumn one of the most anticipated moments in its cycle. With age, its smooth grey bark detaches in small patches to reveal characteristic orange tones. Origin. Native to Japan, Korea, eastern China, and Taiwan, Zelkova serrata is known in Japan under the name Keyaki (ケヤキ) — an emblematic tree, planted in avenue alignments on Japanese city streets and venerated in temples. Its natural vase-shaped habit, fine branchlets, and cold tolerance made it very early the reference species for the Hokidachi style. A strictly outdoor bonsai. Zelkova serrata is a strictly outdoor species: it needs its four seasons, and in particular a real winter for its dormancy. It is a robust, beginner-accessible species whose full potential reveals itself over the years.
Judas Tree
Cercis siliquastrum
Magenta flowers burst from bare wood before the leaves even appear — Judas Tree is one of the most striking spring bonsai spectacles. What makes it unique. Cercis siliquastrum is ramiflorous and partly cauliflorous: its rose-magenta flowers open directly on aged wood — branches, twigs, and trunk — before the foliage emerges. This phenomenon, rare among temperate trees, gives the tree an otherworldly appearance in March–April. After flowering, the heart-shaped leaves, from fresh green to slightly blue-tinted depending on exposure, bring an original leaf texture. In autumn they turn golden yellow. The flat seed pods, initially green then red-brown to dark brown at maturity, persist on the tree through part of autumn and winter depending on the climate, adding a further decorative interest. Origin. Native to the garrigue and forest edges of the eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor, Cercis siliquastrum grows in calcareous, rocky, well-drained soils under intense sun. It is deeply embedded in Mediterranean culture — legend holds that it is the tree from which Judas hanged himself, which would explain its flowers blushing red with shame. A Mediterranean bonsai of character. Its main challenge in bonsai is the root system: Cercis siliquastrum naturally develops a deep taproot and resists transplantation. Once established in a pot, it rewards with early flowering, good hardiness, and rapid bark ageing. Accessible to a patient intermediate practitioner, provided its rhythm is respected.
Korean Fir
Abies koreana
Violet cones standing upright on a tree with silvery needles — Abies koreana is one of the few conifers that delivers a full ornamental display from an early age. What makes it unique. Abies koreana produces its distinctive upright cylindrical cones — deep violet-blue fading to brown at maturity — within the first few years of cultivation, a rarity among bonsai conifers. Short, dense needles, glossy dark green above with two silver-white stomatal bands beneath, give the branching an exceptionally fine texture. Its naturally slow, compact growth limits pruning interventions and allows the aesthetic structure to develop gradually. Origin. Endemic to the mountains of South Korea, Abies koreana grows at high altitudes (1,000–1,900 m) in conditions of intense cold, frequent mist, and well-drained, slightly acidic soils. This cool, humid mountain environment defines its cultural requirements entirely. A bonsai for experienced growers. Abies koreana is demanding on two specific points: it tolerates neither excessive summer heat nor drought. Beyond these constraints, its disciplined growth and predictable behaviour make it a rewarding bonsai for those who have mastered the fundamentals of conifer cultivation. Its difficulty level is advanced — not due to complexity of care, but due to its intolerance of any deviation from ideal conditions.
Mastic Tree / Lentisk
Pistacia lentiscus
Mastic Tree is a discreet yet tenacious Mediterranean bonsai — persistent aromatic foliage, exceptional drought resistance and a dense plant presence that evokes the sun-drenched garrigue of the Mediterranean basin. What makes it unique. Pistacia lentiscus is an evergreen shrub of slow growth, with pinnate leaves composed of small, leathery, shiny dark-green leaflets, slightly resinous to the touch and releasing a characteristic fragrance when crushed — this aromatic resin is the origin of Chios mastic, produced since antiquity on the Greek island of Chios. The plant is dioecious: male and female flowers develop on separate specimens. On female plants, small berries appear in late summer, passing from vivid red to deep black at maturity, adding visual interest beyond the flowering season. Its naturally dense bearing and aptitude for developing fine branching make it a sought-after bonsai subject in the Mediterranean tradition. Origin and natural habitat. Ubiquitous in the garrigue, maquis and holm oak forests of the Mediterranean basin, Pistacia lentiscus grows on rocky, poor, calcareous or siliceous soils — it tolerates limestone better than most species, making it well-suited to hard-water irrigation, in conditions of intense full sun and pronounced summer drought. It is a species perfectly adapted to hydric stress — its spreading, adaptable root system and leathery foliage allow it to endure the driest Mediterranean summers without damage. A patience bonsai, demanding on one specific point. The naturally moderate — and in bonsai culture, slow — growth of Mastic Tree is its main constraint: progress is measured in seasons, not weeks. Beyond this reality, it is a robust species, tolerant of mild drought, rarely susceptible to pests and relatively simple to maintain. Its primary vulnerability lies in its sensitivity to prolonged cold in a container, particularly in regions north of the Loire.
Mountain Pine / Mugo Pine
Pinus mugo
Mountain Pine is the most accessible European pine — and yet one of the most beautiful in the long run. What makes it unique. Pinus mugo is one of the few European pines with naturally dwarf and compact growth, capable of remaining under one metre in harsh alpine conditions for decades. In bonsai, this slowness is an advantage: candles are short, needles stay dense, the silhouette grows slowly and leaves time to appreciate each step. Its bark evolves remarkably — smooth and greyish on young specimens, it gradually breaks into dark, almost-black, deeply fissured plates that evoke old alpine pines carved by the elements. Origin. Native to the mountain ranges of central and southern Europe, Pinus mugo grows wild between 1,500 and 2,500 metres altitude, in dense shrubby formations on limestone screes and wind-exposed slopes. This harsh environment — poor soils, snow, prolonged frost, intense radiation — forged a species of exceptional hardiness, perfectly adapted to container life. Yamadori specimens collected in the Alps under permit often display trunk quality impossible to reproduce in cultivation: twisted, flattened, scarred by decades of extreme conditions. A bonsai for those who cultivate patience. Pinus mugo is often recommended as the first serious pine for European practitioners: it forgives mistakes better than Pinus thunbergii or Pinus parviflora, requires no special winter shelter, and its naturally compact silhouette makes shaping easier. In return, it demands time — its candles are worked differently from Japanese pines, and its transformations are measured in years, not weeks.
Needle Juniper
Juniperus rigida
Needle Juniper is one of the most expressive deadwood bonsai — silver wood sculpted by the elements, inhabited by an intense green thread of life. What makes it unique. Juniperus rigida is distinguished from other junipers by its sharp, fine and very rigid needles, generally arranged in whorls of three, bright green with a clearly visible white stomatal line. It is this morphological particularity — and its name — that differentiates it from Juniperus chinensis with its flat scales. In bonsai, it is most celebrated for the exceptional quality of its deadwood: the deadwood of Juniperus rigida is particularly prized for its ability to last and develop marked contrasts between living wood and dead wood, in the manner of the great Japanese junipers worked with jin and shari. Under the action of time and artistic work, the wood discolours to pale silver, sculpting itself into veins and spirals that are the signature of the finest Japanese specimens. Origin and natural habitat. The species grows naturally in the mountainous regions of Japan, Korea and northern China, often on rocky, poor and well-drained soils in sunny exposure. In these extreme conditions, trees naturally develop the living/dead wood contrasts that are central to the aesthetic of the style. A robust bonsai, demanding on one point. Juniperus rigida is a resilient species, tolerant of moderate drought and cold. Its cultivation presents no major difficulty provided it receives full sun and very good drainage. The complexity lies in the artistic work of deadwood — jin, shari, uro — which requires experience and vision to be carried out coherently.
Norway Spruce
Picea abies
The Norway Spruce is the Christmas tree of all of Europe — and as bonsai, it reveals a depth that nobody suspects beneath the tinsel. What makes it unique. Picea abies has an anatomical feature that few practitioners notice before seeing it for themselves: its needles are attached to the branch by small woody cushions called sterigmata (often described as pulvini). When a needle falls naturally, the pulvinus remains in place — giving bare shoots a rough, bristly texture very different from the smooth shoot of a silver fir or a pine. This texture, visible on the oldest branches of a mature specimen, is one of the most eloquent signs of age in a spruce bonsai. Its pendulous cones, the longest of European conifers (up to 16 cm), are a remarkable ornament on mature specimens. Origin. Native to the boreal forests and mountain ranges of northern and central Europe, Picea abies forms dense stands from Scandinavia to the Carpathians and the Alps, often at altitude on cool, well-drained soils. It is one of the dominant species of millions of hectares of European temperate forests. As bonsai it is less practised than the Japanese pines, but the great European collections contain specimens of exceptional quality, particularly alpine collected trees with twisted trunks and characteristic reddish-brown bark. A bonsai demanding on climate, generous on everything else. Picea abies is built for harsh winters and cool summers — its only true vulnerability as bonsai is excessive heat and drought. In return, it tolerates extreme cold, accepts variable light, heals wounds adequately and develops over the years fine, dense ramification of great aesthetic quality. This is a conifer for patient practitioners, capable of sustaining decades-long work trajectories.
Olive Tree
Olea europaea
The olive tree is a mythic tree. A symbol of wisdom, peace and longevity for millennia, Olea europaea as bonsai transcends genres — one of the few trees that impresses both the uninitiated and the seasoned bonsaïka alike. What makes it unique. Over the years, the olive develops a trunk that hollows, twists and turns grey naturally, lending itself magnificently to jin and shari work that the bonsaïka brings to life. Its persistent silver-green foliage, fine and elegant, contrasts beautifully with the pale bark. Its slow growth is a virtue: every step forward is durable, every shaped branch holds its position. An olive bonsai resembles no other — its character reads in every curve, every crack of the ancient wood. Origin. Native to the Mediterranean basin — Greece, Spain, Italy, the Near East, North Africa — Olea europaea grows naturally on poor, stony, well-drained soils under intense sun. It has been cultivated for over 6,000 years for its fruit and oil. Millenary specimens still exist across the Mediterranean, irrefutable proof of its exceptional longevity. Cultivars in bonsai. The most prized varieties are small-leaved cultivars such as Arbequina, Frantoio or Leccino — they reduce better under the effect of pruning and intense light, and develop finer ramification than standard table cultivars. A bonsai for the patient. Its slow growth can unsettle beginners used to vigorous species. But that slowness is its strength: the structures developed are stable, the wood takes on a unique texture and colour, and the tree gains character with every season. In full sun and well managed, it amply rewards the time invested.
Orange Jasmine
Murraya paniculata
One of the rare indoor bonsai capable of greeting you with a jasmine scent in the middle of January — a repeated, discreet, and intensely fragrant white flowering on an exceptionally glossy, persistent foliage. What makes it unique. Murraya paniculata — known as Orange Jasmine or Mock Orange — is a persistent tropical shrub with naturally compact growth, small glossy dark-green pinnate leaves that release a faint spiced fragrance when rubbed. Its white flowers in small terminal clusters release an intense, sweet scent close to jasmine and orange blossom, perfuming the entire indoor space. Flowering occurs in successive waves, primarily in spring and summer, with possible autumn flushes on a vigorous tree. A near-continuous year-round flowering remains exceptional and requires very precise management of light, humidity, and thermal stability — followed by small orange-red berries that persist for several weeks. Origin and natural habitat. Native to the tropical and subtropical forests of South and South-East Asia, Murraya paniculata grows naturally at forest edges and in zones of intense filtered to direct light, under conditions of constant heat, high humidity, and filtered to direct sunlight. It has been cultivated for centuries in South-East Asia as an ornamental and medicinal plant. In bonsai, it is particularly prized in Japan and Taiwan for the quality of its fine ramification and the persistence of its evergreen foliage. A bonsai demanding on two specific points. Murraya requires intense indoor light — a condition often difficult to satisfy under European latitudes, even near a well-oriented window — and high humidity that winter heating makes difficult to maintain. These two constraints together make it a species that demands a carefully considered environment. Outside these imperatives, it is a generous bonsai with regular growth, developing fine, dense ramification through successive pinching, and rewarding care with repeated fragrant flowering throughout the year.
Phoenician Juniper
Juniperus phoenicea
The wild soul of the Mediterranean. What makes it unique. Juniperus phoenicea is the juniper of rocky coastlines, calcareous scrubland and wind-battered cliffs. More compact and tortuous than Juniperus thurifera, it naturally develops twisted trunks, a shredding reddish-brown fibrous bark and an asymmetrical silhouette sculpted by centuries of wind and drought. As a bonsai, it is exceptional material for character styles — bunjin, fukinagashi, sharimiki — with remarkable deadwood potential: its deadwood is dense, bleaches beautifully with lime sulphur and does not rot for decades. Its dark, slightly glaucous scale foliage is among the finest of the Mediterranean junipers. Origin. Widely distributed across the entire Mediterranean basin — Spain, France (Provence, Corsica), Italy, Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia — Juniperus phoenicea colonises the most hostile zones: limestone cliffs by the sea, arid scrubland, exposed rocky slopes. It tolerates sea spray, total summer drought, incessant coastal winds, and near non-existent soils. It is a tree of extremes, in the most literal sense. It is also found at altitude in Maghreb countries, where it sometimes grows alongside Juniperus thurifera on the slopes of the Atlas mountains. A bonsai for experienced practitioners. Juniperus phoenicea is not a starter tree. Its growth is slow, its cultural requirements precise — controlled drought, full sun, mineral substrate — and its aesthetic potential is truly expressed on trees that already have an advanced structure, ideally coastal yamadori or pre-developed specimens. For those who master deadwood techniques and the patience that Mediterranean junipers demand, it is one of the most rewarding species of the Mediterranean basin.
Plane-leaf Mulberry
Morus platanifolia
With its deeply cut, multi-lobed leaves resembling those of a maple or plane tree, Plane-leaf Mulberry stands radically apart from its round-leaved relatives — and produces edible mulberries to boot. What makes it unique. Morus platanifolia is distinguished from other mulberries by the exceptional shape of its foliage: broad leaves cut into 3 to 5 deep lobes, evoking a plane tree or large-leaved maple. This characteristic gives it its name and a silhouette immediately recognisable, quite distinct from White Mulberry (Morus alba) already present in this encyclopaedia. In bonsai, this sculpted foliage creates a visually rich texture, reducible through cultivation to proportions consistent with a medium-sized pot. The vigour of the species is remarkable — the trunk thickens rapidly, the ramification responds well to repeated pruning, and back-budding on old wood is among the best in the entire collection. The sap, milky at pruning cuts, is characteristic of the genus Morus. The light grey to beige bark develops a network of highly attractive fissures with age. Botanical note. Morus platanifolia is a cultivated form with deeply lobed leaves, generally classified under Morus alba or Morus bombycis depending on the system — not a strictly autonomous botanical species. What is consistent, however, is its bonsai culture: a species in its own right in collections, valued specifically for its leaf form, distinct from other mulberries by this single morphological criterion. Origin. Plane-leaf Mulberry is a selected cultivated form from eastern Asia — China, Korea, Japan — in regions where mulberry trees have been cultivated for millennia for silkworm rearing. Morus platanifolia was selected and maintained for its ornamental qualities rather than its silk-production value. In bonsai, it is appreciated in north-east Asia and is beginning to spread in Europe among collectors seeking original foliage on fast-growing species. A vigorous and accessible bonsai. Plane-leaf Mulberry is one of the species most responsive to pruning in the entire collection — ideal for rapidly building a structure, thickening a trunk, developing nebari. Beginners find a tree that forgives errors; advanced practitioners find a fast, reactive working medium for techniques such as defoliation and structural wiring.
Pomegranate
Punica granatum
The Pomegranate bonsai plays on two registers — the fire flower and the golden fruit. What makes it unique. Punica granatum offers what few species can claim: a summer flowering of blazing red-orange lasting several months, followed by small decorative pomegranates that persist on the tree in autumn. With age, its trunk naturally twists and hollows into a muscular spiral, developing a grey-brown fissured bark of rare character. The Nana cultivar — the most used in bonsai — is a naturally compact form that flowers abundantly even in a small pot. Origin. Native to the Middle East and Central Asia (Iran, Afghanistan), Punica granatum has been cultivated throughout the Mediterranean basin since Antiquity. A symbolic fruit in many cultures — fertility in ancient Greece, prosperity in Jewish tradition, longevity in China — it has been cultivated as penjing for centuries. Naturalised around the Mediterranean, it grows in dry sunny rocky zones, which explains its remarkable tolerance of drought and heat. A flamboyant outdoor bonsai. The Pomegranate is an outdoor species that appreciates heat and direct sun. Its drought tolerance distinguishes it from most flowering species — it flowers better in a slightly stressed substrate than when abundantly watered. In France, it requires winter protection north of the Loire. It is a generous, expressive species whose beauty asserts itself from the first years.
Red Maple
Acer rubrum
North America's earliest red. What makes it unique. Acer rubrum is one of the most common trees in the North American forest, and yet one of the most visually remarkable: in spring, it blooms vivid red before the leaves even appear — its small red flowers in dense clusters give the entire tree a spectacular carmine hue that few species can replicate. Its 3-to-5-lobed leaves, green above and glaucous below, turn scarlet to intense orange in autumn, often among the first of the season. In bonsai, it is still rarely used in Europe, but offers real aesthetic potential — especially for North American bonsai growers accustomed to working with native species. Origin. Widely distributed across eastern North America — from Maritime Canada to Florida, and from the Atlantic coast to the Great Plains — Acer rubrum is a remarkably adaptable species. It grows in humid, marshy areas as well as on well-drained rocky slopes, at low altitude and in the mountains. This ecological plasticity explains its ease of adaptation in cultivation. It is the emblematic tree of several US states and one of the most widely planted maples in urban landscaping across North America. A bonsai still waiting to be discovered. In Europe, Acer rubrum remains rare as a bonsai — overshadowed by Acer palmatum and Acer buergerianum. But its strengths are real: greater robustness than fine-leaved Acer palmatum cultivars, ornamental spring flowering, blazing autumn colour, and adaptability to a wide range of climates. For bonsai growers looking for an original species with strong seasonal potential, it is a choice worth serious consideration.
Rock Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster horizontalis
Cotoneaster horizontalis is the four-season bonsai — spring flowers, dense summer foliage, blazing autumn reds, and scarlet berries that persist throughout winter. What makes it unique. Its architecture is immediately recognisable: branches spread in perfectly flat herringbone patterns, creating a geometric horizontal structure of natural elegance. This distinctive fishbone ramification — a hallmark of the species — stands out with particular clarity in winter, when tiny bright red berries dot the bare wood. In spring, minuscule pinkish-white flowers carpet the shoots. In autumn, the small, round, glossy leaves turn orange and red before falling. Origin. Cotoneaster horizontalis originates from the mountainous regions of central and western China, where it naturally colonises rocky slopes, cliffs, and forest edges. This origin explains its tolerance for poor, well-drained soils, its cold hardiness, and its ability to grow clinging to uneven terrain — a natural predisposition for rock-planting styles (ishizuki). An accessible tree. Its compact size, steady growth, tolerance of varied conditions, and ability to forgive beginner mistakes make it one of the most recommended species for starting outdoor bonsai — without ever sacrificing aesthetic interest for more advanced practitioners.
Rocky Mountain Juniper
Juniperus scopulorum
The Rocky Mountain Juniper is the absolute reference of American mountain bonsai — and one of the most emblematic species for deadwood work. What makes it unique. Juniperus scopulorum grows at altitudes where snow, frost, wind, and lightning sculpt living tree wood for centuries. The result, visible on yamadori from the Rockies, is an architecture of twisted trunks — bleached deadwood and spiralling veins of living bark in a form no European or Japanese species can reproduce. Its foliage, more uniformly scale-like than that of its eastern cousin Juniperus virginiana, offers a characteristic blue-silver hue that further strengthens the contrast with deadwood zones. This blue-silver — cooler and more pronounced than the blue-green of virginiana — is the immediate visual signature of the species and one of the most sought-after foliage colours in conifer bonsai. Origin. Juniperus scopulorum occupies the rocky slopes and exposed ridges of the Rockies between 1,500 and 3,000 metres altitude, from southern British Columbia to the south-western United States (Texas, New Mexico). In these extreme conditions — poor soils, prolonged snow cover, violent winds, intense UV radiation — trees grow extremely slowly and develop silhouettes that centuries of adversity have shaped with a precision no human hand can imitate. Yamadori from Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming are among the most sought-after and most valued bonsai material on the North American continent. A bonsai for practitioners passionate about natural character. Juniperus scopulorum shares basic care with Juniperus virginiana but distinguishes itself by slower growth, superior drought tolerance, and an even more spectacular potential for deadwood work. It is a long-term bonsai that rewards patience and artistic vision more than pure technique — and one that remains little known outside the American continent despite an aesthetic quality rarely equalled.
Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis (syn. Salvia rosmarinus)
A Mediterranean shrub with a naturally upright habit, becoming gnarled with age, with blue-violet flowers and the scent of garrigue — Rosmarinus officinalis is one of the most sensory bonsai in existence. What makes it unique. The trunk of Rosmarinus officinalis ages remarkably quickly in bonsai: the bark furrows, twists and takes on the texture of old wood in just a few years. The tiny needle-like leaves, dark green above and white beneath, release their characteristic fragrance at the slightest contact. From late winter to spring (or almost year-round in mild climates), blue-violet flowers dot all the shoot tips — sometimes a second flowering occurs in autumn on vigorous specimens. Origin. Native to the shores and garrigue of the Mediterranean basin, Rosmarinus officinalis grows naturally in poor, rocky soils, under intense sun, with little water. This origin dictates its entire bonsai culture: absolute drainage, maximum exposure, light fertilisation. A demanding Mediterranean bonsai. Its reputation as an "easy" garden plant is misleading in bonsai — Rosmarinus officinalis does not tolerate excess water in pot, is sensitive to cold, wet winters and reacts badly to severe pruning into old wood. In return, it offers rapid aesthetic development, dense ramification and a unique visual character among European outdoor bonsai.
Sageretia
Sageretia theezans
Sageretia theezans is one of the most appreciated indoor bonsai for its rapid growth, generous ramification and above all its naturally exfoliating bark that gives an aged, gnarled appearance within just the first few years that other species take decades to achieve. What makes it unique. Its bark peels in irregular patches, revealing tones ranging from cream-beige to orange-rust and slate-grey. This early aged character is a rare asset in an art where time is the most precious resource. Its tiny oval leaves, deep and brilliantly glossy — almost lacquered — contrast elegantly with the roughness of the trunk. In autumn, it can produce discreet small white flowers, followed by dark red berries in winter. Origin. Native to the subtropical regions of South and Southeast Asia (southern China, Korea, Japan, northern India), Sageretia theezans grows naturally as a dense shrub in humid undergrowth and along riverbanks. Its Chinese vernacular name — cha ye zi — means "small tea-leaf tree", referring to the traditional use of its leaves as a tea substitute in some rural regions. A generous bonsai, but demanding on water. Its rapid growth, easy ramification and tolerance to repeated pruning make it an ideal subject for technical progress without waiting decades. But its dependence on high humidity and its intolerance of drought also make it a species that does not forgive neglect.
Satsuki Azalea
Rhododendron indicum
An explosion of flowers in May–June across dense, precise ramification — Satsuki Azalea is one of the most cultivated flowering bonsai in Japan for centuries. What makes it unique. "Satsuki" means "fifth month" in Japanese — flowering occurs in May–June, later than common azaleas, at a time when most bonsai are in full green vegetation. The flowers, large and abundant, exist in an extraordinary range of colours and patterns: pure white, vivid pink, blood red, bicolour, striped, spotted — sometimes several different colour combinations on the same tree (reversion phenomenon). The semi-persistent small glossy leaves provide year-round visual interest. With age, the nebari and trunk develop a rough grey bark texture that is highly sought after. Origin. Selected and cultivated in Japan since the 17th century, primarily from Rhododendron indicum and other Japanese species, Satsuki Azalea is today represented by hundreds of cultivars. Japanese master bonsai practitioners dedicate entire exhibitions to it — the annual Satsuki flowering is a cultural event in its own right. A bonsai demanding on two precise points. Satsuki Azalea demands an acid substrate without compromise and pruning that respects the flowering cycle. Beyond these two imperatives, it is more robust than commonly thought and constitutes an accessible flowering bonsai for any patient intermediate practitioner.
Scots Pine
Pinus sylvestris
The bark that burns. What makes it unique. Pinus sylvestris is the world's most widespread pine, and yet one of the most instantly recognisable: its upper bark — on the top of the trunk and the highest branches — takes on a blazing orange-cinnamon to copper hue with age, literally glowing in low-angle sunlight. No other common pine produces this effect so spectacularly. Its short needles — 3 to 7 cm, blue-green to grey-green, slightly twisted — grow in pairs and give the tree a dense, distinctive texture. Old specimens develop a plated trunk, a flattened crown and silhouettes evoking the Scandinavian or Scottish landscapes from which the finest yamadori originate. Origin. Scots Pine has the widest natural range of any pine species: from Portugal and Scotland to eastern Siberia, covering almost the entire Eurasian continent. It grows on poor, sandy, acid to neutral soils — heathlands, peatbogs, rocky slopes — wherever competition from deciduous trees is reduced. This adaptation to harsh conditions makes it a particularly robust tree, developing its finest silhouettes precisely where conditions are most demanding. An expert's bonsai, an exceptional aesthetic. In bonsai, Pinus sylvestris is rated advanced not as a formality, but because pine-specific techniques — candle management, vigour balancing, minimal repotting — are learned progressively and tolerate no improvisation. A tree worked incorrectly over a few seasons can lose years of development in a few mistakes. But a well-managed Scots Pine, with bark beginning to turn orange on the upper trunk, is one of the most powerful and evocative bonsai that exist.
Silver Birch
Betula pendula
The white bark that tells the age. What makes it unique. Betula pendula is one of the rare trees whose aesthetic value intensifies with the years: its bark, initially smooth and brownish-pink on young specimens, gradually turns white, then cracks and hollows into dark plates at the base of the trunk. This contrast — immaculate white on the shaft, deep black at the base — is a visual signature without equal in the world of bonsai. Its fine pendulous shoots — at the origin of its epithet "pendula" — carry small triangular leaves with doubly toothed margins that tremble at the slightest breath of air. Not to be confused with weeping cultivars (such as 'Youngii') whose cascade is far more pronounced and the structure often grafted: Betula pendula is a slender and airy tree, not a weeper in the horticultural sense of the term. Origin. The Silver Birch is one of the most widespread trees in Europe and temperate Asia. It grows naturally from the Atlantic plains to the Siberian steppes, from North Africa to the Arctic circles. A pioneer species par excellence, it colonises poor, acidic and degraded soils — burnt land, open moorland, forest clearings — where other trees refuse to establish. This natural hardiness is reflected in bonsai: it is a tree that tolerates difficult conditions, provided its fundamental needs are met. A bonsai of Nordic character. In miniature, Betula pendula offers an airy and graphic aesthetic: a light silhouette, fine ramification, foliage in perpetual motion. Its winter dormancy is an absolute necessity — without cold, it weakens and declines. It is a tree for the patient practitioner, who understands that the beauty of the white bark is built over years, and that each vegetation cycle is one step closer to that old birch one contemplates in boreal forests.
Small-leaved Lime
Tilia cordata
The Small-leaved Lime is the European bonsai everyone walks past in the forest without recognising — and which reveals in a pot a refinement that no one anticipated. What makes it unique. Tilia cordata takes its epithet from the shape of its leaves — cordate, perfectly heart-shaped, small (3–8 cm), with a slightly asymmetrical base and finely toothed margins. This immediately recognisable form gives the bonsai a strong visual identity, reinforced by the characteristic tufts of rust-coloured hairs in the vein axils on the leaf underside. The Lime has a quality rare and precious in bonsai: it back-buds with remarkable vigour on old wood after severe pruning, producing adventitious buds on branches that many other species would have abandoned. This regenerative capacity makes it a particularly forgiving long-term partner. Origin. Found throughout temperate Europe — from the UK to the Urals, from Scandinavia to the Balkans — Tilia cordata is one of the most common deciduous trees in European mixed forests. It grows in the understorey or at woodland edges, often alongside Hornbeam and Oak, on cool, deep soils. Its small, pale yellow flowers, grouped beneath a characteristic winged bract, fill the forests in June–July with a sweet, recognisable fragrance. It is also one of the most commonly collected yamadori species in Europe — old specimens from French and German forests provide exceptional trunk bases and nebari. A generous bonsai, ideal for beginning with European deciduous trees. Tilia cordata forgives mistakes, responds well to severe pruning, reduces its foliage easily with ramification, and tolerates a wide range of growing conditions. It is one of the best choices for a practitioner wishing to begin with robust European deciduous trees without the demands of Oak or Hornbeam. In return, it requires regular watering and frequent pruning to contain its natural vigour.
Smoketree — Smoke Bush
Cotinus coggygria
A pink-mauve smoke cloud enveloping the silhouette in summer — Cotinus coggygria is one of the most spectacular and least common shrubs in the bonsai collection. What makes it unique. What resembles a vaporous puff of smoke is not the foliage but the elongated, threadlike, fluffy flower stalks that persist after the June flowering through to September, creating an extraordinary visual effect. The flowers themselves are tiny and yellow-green — it is their persistent feathering that creates the spectacle. In autumn, Cotinus coggygria puts on some of the most intense colours of all outdoor bonsai — orange, bright red, purple depending on the specimen. The round to oval, glaucous, blue-green leaves in summer contribute to the visual originality of the tree throughout the season. Origin. Native to the garrigue and rocky edges of southern Europe through to central Asia and China, Cotinus coggygria grows in poor, well-drained soils under intense sun. Belonging to the Anacardiaceae family — the same as the cashew and pistachio — it contains resins that can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals during pruning. A bonsai for lovers of character. Working it as a bonsai requires understanding its cycle: the "smoke" effect forms on the current year's growth and disappears if those shoots are pruned after their spring emergence. In exchange for a little strategy, it offers two spectacular seasons in one — summer and autumn.
Snow Rose
Serissa foetida
Serissa foetida is the bonsai of endless flowering — its tiny white stars follow one another without pause from spring to autumn, earning it the poetic name of Tree of a Thousand Stars. What makes it unique. Few species offer such generous flowering in an indoor bonsai. The miniature star-shaped white flowers appear in successive waves on branchlets covered in small oval leaves of a brilliant dark green — creating an effect of light snow on the tree. Serissa readily emits back-buds on old wood, allowing rapid densification of ramification even on old stems. Its fine wood, moderate growth and tolerance of repeated pruning make it a prime subject for refined styles in small or medium format. Origin. Native to Southeast Asia — southern China, Japan, Vietnam — Serissa foetida grows naturally in humid understorey and on the edges of subtropical forests. It evolves under filtered light, in a constantly moist atmosphere and mild temperatures. Its Latin name foetida — "that smells unpleasant" — refers to the disagreeable smell emitted by its roots and wood when cut, a harmless but surprising characteristic for the uninitiated practitioner. A generous bonsai, but sensitive to change. Its spectacular flowering and easy ramification make it a very rewarding bonsai. But Serissa foetida is known to react violently to abrupt changes in light, temperature or watering — sudden defoliation does not always mean the tree is lost, but that something has changed in its environment.
Spanish Juniper
Juniperus thurifera
The tree of Mediterranean cliffs. What makes it unique. Juniperus thurifera is one of the largest and most majestic junipers in western Europe. In nature, it grows at altitudes between 900 and 2,000 metres, often alone on wind-beaten limestone rock faces — a silhouette that has inspired the finest jin and sharimiki of the Iberian bonsai tradition. Its dense red-brown wood releases a soft, slightly woody resinous scent that the ancients confused with incense — hence its Latin name thurifera, meaning "incense-bearer". In bonsai, its growth is slow but steady, and its pruinose blue-green foliage gives it an aristocratic bearing that few other European junipers can claim. Origin. Endemic to the western Mediterranean basin, Juniperus thurifera occupies the semi-arid high-altitude zones of Spain (Sierra Nevada, Cantabrian Mountains), the southern French Alps (Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence), and the Moroccan and Algerian Atlas. It thrives on poor, well-draining calcareous soils exposed to full sun, with significant thermal amplitude between seasons. It is a survivor: some Spanish specimens exceed 500 years of age, bearing witness to exceptional longevity in conditions that most trees could not withstand. A bonsai for patient enthusiasts. Juniperus thurifera is not a tree for beginners. Its slow growth demands long-term vision and a mastery of deadwood techniques — jin, sharimiki — to reveal its full potential. It rewards bonsaika who know how to wait: once established, it is robust, drought-resistant, and requires few emergency interventions. In Spain, it is one of the most collected yamadori species, and some trees harvested at altitude already carry a century of natural development behind them.
Star Magnolia
Magnolia stellata
In March, while the garden still sleeps, Star Magnolia explodes into dozens of star-shaped white flowers on its bare shoots — fragrant, delicate, and terribly ephemeral. What makes it unique. Magnolia stellata is one of the magnolias best suited to bonsai. Where other magnolias produce large flowers on vigorous trees that are difficult to miniaturise, stellata offers a rare compromise: spectacular flowers averaging 12 to 18 tepals, star-shaped, pure white to faintly pink, on a naturally compact, slow-developing form. Each flower is fragrant — a delicate, slightly fruity scent released into the cold March air before a single leaf bud has opened. The flowering is brief — one to two weeks depending on conditions — but of such visual intensity that it alone justifies the place of this tree in any collection. The foliage that follows, dark green and oval, is discreet but healthy. In autumn, it takes on golden-brown tones before falling, revealing the large floral buds already formed for the following year — a visible promise from October onward. The grey, smooth bark resembles that of beech and develops an elegant natural character with age. Origin. The name stellata comes from the Latin stella (star) — a direct reference to the shape of its flowers with radiating tepals. Native to a restricted area of central Japan (Aichi and Mie prefectures), Star Magnolia grows wild in humid mountain undergrowth at low altitude. Introduced to Europe in 1877 by botanist Charles Maries, it rapidly became one of the most prized ornamental shrubs in temperate gardens. In bonsai it remains relatively rare despite its qualities — its slow growth discourages the impatient, but rewards collectors willing to wait. A bonsai of patience and flowering. Star Magnolia is made for bonsai practitioners who prioritise quality over speed and who seek a collection tree with strong seasonal character. It demands precise pruning management, particular attention to substrate and water quality, and patience proportional to the slowness of its development. In return, it offers each spring a spectacle unequalled in the temperate bonsai flora.
Stewartia
Stewartia pseudocamellia
Stewartia is a three-season bonsai with overlapping attractions: a breathtaking multicoloured exfoliating bark in winter, white camellia-like flowers in midsummer, and a flamboyant autumn foliage — a tree that never rests. What makes it unique. Stewartia pseudocamellia is a deciduous tree whose bark is its most spectacular asset: it peels each year in irregular patches, revealing a patchwork of tones mixing vivid orange, ashen grey, cinnamon brown and cream depending on the area and exposure. In winter, on fully bare wood, this chromatic mosaic is of remarkable beauty — rare among temperate trees. In July, solitary white flowers with yellow stamens, similar to those of the camellia to which it is botanically related, open on deep green foliage. In autumn, the leaves turn red, orange and purple before falling. Origin and natural habitat. Native to the temperate mountain forests of Japan and Korea, Stewartia pseudocamellia grows naturally in conditions of filtered light, high humidity and well-draining acidic soils. It shares its habitat with maples, beeches and oaks on north or north-east facing slopes, where direct summer heat is moderated. This origin conditions its cultural requirements: it appreciates light without tolerating intense dry heat, and demands an acidic substrate like its camellia and azalea cousins. A rare bonsai, demanding on two precise points. Stewartia is a species little known in Western bonsai, more cultivated in Japan where it is highly prized. Its main constraint is its requirement for an acidic substrate and regular moisture — two conditions that reinforce each other. Beyond these imperatives, it is a robust tree, frost-hardy, which develops over the years into subjects of exceptional nobility.
Surinam Cherry
Eugenia uniflora
A tropical bonsai with multiple facets: aromatic evergreen foliage, delicate white flowers, and edible ribbed red fruits — season-long on a single tree. What makes it unique. Eugenia uniflora — also known as pitanga or Surinam cherry — is a tropical shrub with dense, glossy foliage, small oval leaves that release a characteristic spicy fragrance when crushed. Its solitary white flowers appear in successive waves, followed by deeply ribbed fruits that progress from yellow to vivid orange then dark red at full maturity. This chromatic progression gives the tree continuous decorative interest that few tropical species can claim. Origin and natural habitat. Native to the tropical and subtropical coastal forests of South America, Eugenia grows naturally in conditions of heat, high humidity, and intense light. It has been introduced across all tropical and subtropical regions of the world for its edible fruits and ornamental foliage. In temperate Europe, it is grown indoors or outdoors from the warmer months onwards, as it does not tolerate temperatures below 5–8°C. A bonsai demanding on two precise points. Eugenia demands uncompromising intense light and high humidity — difficult to maintain in a heated indoor space. Beyond these two imperatives, it is generous: sustained growth, very good response to pruning, clean healing, and ramification that densifies rapidly. It is a species that rewards the regularity of care and environmental consistency.
Sweet Chestnut
Castanea sativa
Sweet Chestnut breaks with bonsai convention — and that is precisely what makes it irresistible for bonsaïka who seek originality without sacrificing hardiness. What makes it unique. Castanea sativa is a colossus of European forests — and as a bonsai, it concentrates all that energy into a pot. Its vigorous growth allows a thick trunk and imposing structure to be built rapidly. The bark ages magnificently: smooth and grey on young subjects, it progressively develops deep, spiralling ridges with age, evoking the centuries-old sweet chestnuts of the European countryside. In autumn, its large lanceolate leaves with finely toothed edges (15 to 25 cm in nature — among the largest of any species commonly grown as bonsai) turn golden yellow — a chromatic spectacle rare among European bonsai species. Origin. Native to southern Europe, the Caucasus, and Asia Minor, Sweet Chestnut naturally colonises mid-altitude forests on siliceous, acidic soils. It cannot stand limestone — one of its few absolute requirements, and one that directly conditions substrate choice and water quality. The large-leaf challenge. The main constraint of Sweet Chestnut as a bonsai is its leaf size — naturally large leaves can appear disproportionate on a small subject. Partial defoliation in summer and regular pruning progressively reduce this ratio, but it must be accepted: a Sweet Chestnut bonsai will always have more generous foliage than a maple or juniper. That is also what gives it its character. On a mature subject, small chestnuts are not uncommon — an unexpected ornamental bonus that never fails to surprise visitors.
Sweet Osmanthus
Osmanthus fragrans
Sweet Osmanthus is one of the few bonsai capable of filling an entire garden with its fragrance alone — discreet to the eye, overwhelming to the nose. Native to the temperate regions of East Asia, Osmanthus fragrans is an evergreen shrub that can reach several metres in its natural state. As bonsai, it transforms into a compact, elegant silhouette with opposite, leathery, deep green leaves with a slight lustre. The leaf margins are often finely toothed, adding to the overall visual refinement. Its flowering is its greatest asset: tiny clustered blooms, cream-white to orange-yellow depending on the cultivar, appear in autumn — generally September to November — and release a sweet, powerful fragrance reminiscent of apricot and vanilla. Some specimens rebloom in spring. The flowers, visually very discreet, nonetheless surpass many showier flowering trees through their olfactory impact. The wood of osmanthus develops over the years a handsome greyish, slightly wrinkled bark that gives the bonsai a mature and natural character. Its moderate growth makes it a faithful subject, progressing slowly but steadily towards an accomplished silhouette. Outside southern Europe and regions with mild winters, osmanthus requires winter protection against severe frosts. It is a bonsai of character, rewarding patience with an incomparable olfactory presence in the garden.
Trident Maple
Acer buergerianum
The Trident Maple doesn't deal in compromises — it gives generously, but rewards those who work it. What makes it unique. Acer buergerianum takes its name from its three-lobed, trident-shaped leaves — small, elegant, turning in autumn from golden yellow to vivid orange and deep red depending on the individual. But its true signature is its nebari: few species develop surface roots as spectacular, as even, and as rapidly. Paired with vigorous growth, an excellent response to repeated pruning, and remarkable tolerance to severe repotting, the Trident Maple is one of the most complete species for bonsai practice. Origin. Native to eastern China — Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang provinces — and naturalised in Japan and Korea, Acer buergerianum grows naturally in mixed forests at low to mid altitude. In China it has been used in gardens and penjing for centuries. Its adaptation to cold winters and hot, humid summers gives it uncommon robustness among maples. An accessible and evolving bonsai. Strictly outdoor, the Trident Maple is one of the most recommended choices for beginners approaching deciduous species: more robust than Acer palmatum, more tolerant of watering and pruning errors, and vigorous enough to make progress quickly visible. Its long-term potential — exceptional nebari, fine ramification, spectacular autumn colour — also makes it a lifelong companion for the committed practitioner.
Weeping Fig / Benjamin Fig
Ficus benjamina
The tree that doesn't like to move. What makes it unique. Ficus benjamina has a behavioural peculiarity that surprises all who discover it: it reacts to any change of position, light, or draught with a massive leaf drop. This behaviour, often interpreted as disease or a sign of imminent death, is in reality a normal adaptation response — the tree recalibrating its foliage to the new light conditions. Once stabilised in a position it appreciates, it becomes a remarkably vigorous bonsai, capable of developing spectacular aerial roots and smooth, elegant, light grey bark. Its oval, slightly pointed and lustrous leaves are notably finer than those of Ficus microcarpa — giving it a distinct profile within the genus. Origin. In nature, Ficus benjamina is a large tree of the humid tropical forests of South-East Asia and northern Australia, where it can reach 30 metres in height. It is also a hemi-epiphytic species: its seeds often germinate in the crevices of other trees, whose trunk it eventually envelopes and supplants — behaviour that explains its natural capacity to develop fusing aerial roots of great beauty. Like all Ficus, it produces white milky latex at wounds, slightly irritating to the skin and toxic if ingested. An indoor bonsai demanding in stability. A tropical bonsai cultivated indoors by climatic necessity — not by vocation. A species from humid tropical forests, Ficus benjamina is grown indoors in our latitudes because frost is fatal to it, not because it prefers apartments. This nuance changes the approach: give it conditions as close as possible to a tropical outdoor environment (maximum light, humidity, fresh air in summer) rather than treating it as a decorative indoor plant.
Weeping Forsythia / Forsythia
Forsythia suspensa
A deluge of bright yellow flowers on bare wood in mid-winter — Forsythia Suspensa is one of the first bonsai to bloom, typically in February–March, sometimes as early as late January in mild urban microclimates. What makes it unique. Forsythia Suspensa blooms directly on the previous year's wood, before any leaves appear. In February–March, every shoot is covered in small bright yellow tubular flowers that transform the entire tree into a golden cascade. Its lesser-known botanical characteristic: adult stems have hollow or partitioned pith — visible when pruning and a signature of the species. The naturally arching habit of its branches — hence the name suspensa — distinguishes it from the more upright garden forsythias and makes it a natural candidate for slanting or cascade styles. Origin. Native to the forest edges and mountain foothills of northern and central China, Forsythia Suspensa has been cultivated in East Asia for centuries as an ornamental and medicinal plant. Introduced to Europe in the 19th century, it has become widely naturalised. An accessible and spectacular bonsai. The robustness of this deciduous shrub, its tolerance of pruning errors, and its rapid development make it an ideal species for beginners who want to observe flowering from the very first seasons. Its only challenge: not sacrificing the flowering through mistimed pruning in autumn or winter.
Weeping Willow
Salix babylonica
Weeping Willow bonsai is a cascade of fine drooping branchlets over a thick, fissured trunk — one of the few bonsai trees with a silhouette instantly recognisable at first glance, even in a pot. What makes it unique. Salix babylonica — or more often its close hybrids such as Salix × sepulcralis, widely available in the nursery trade — is a fast-growing deciduous tree with a naturally weeping habit characterised by long pendulous branches bearing narrow, lanceolate leaves of a bright light green. In bonsai, this cascading habit is its primary aesthetic signature. The bark cracks and deepens relatively quickly compared to other bonsai species, though the process is slower in a pot than in open ground, producing textured and expressive trunks earlier than slower-growing species. Foliage emerges very early in spring — often among the first in the collection — and falls late in autumn, extending the visible growing season. Origin and natural habitat. Native to northern China, the Weeping Willow grows naturally along waterways on deep, cool, moisture-rich soils. It was introduced to Europe and the Middle East from the 17th century via trade routes. Contrary to popular belief, it did not originate from Babylon — its epithet results from a historical confusion linked to biblical texts and the identification of Middle Eastern willows, the willows of the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates belonging to other species. A bonsai demanding on two precise points. The exceptional vigour of Salix babylonica is its main constraint: without regular, sustained pruning, the drooping branchlets lengthen quickly and throw the composition off-balance. Its high water demand is the other imperative — in a pot, it can suffer from drought far faster than in open ground. Beyond these two realities, it is an accommodating, resilient and rewarding bonsai, whose rapid growth allows beautiful specimens to be built in a few seasons.
White Mulberry
Morus alba
A trunk that thickens before your eyes, bark that ages in a few seasons — White Mulberry is one of the most honest shortcuts to a bonsai with an ancient look. What makes it unique. Morus alba is one of the fastest-growing species among collection bonsai. After a few seasons of free growth, it develops a thick trunk with deep fluting and grey-brown fissured bark that gives it the appearance of a tree far older than its actual age. Its large lobed leaves — which vary even on a single shoot, from simple to deeply cut — reduce significantly over years of careful work and regular repotting. Origin. Native to China, Morus alba has been cultivated for more than four thousand years for its leaves, the exclusive food source of silkworms (Bombyx mori) — it is the founding tree of the global silk industry. Naturalised in Europe, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean basin for centuries, it is today present in hedgerows, parks, and abandoned land throughout France. This familiar presence makes it easy to source raw material — yamadori or large-diameter cuttings — at minimal cost. A forgiving bonsai. Morus alba forgives watering errors, accepts severe pruning, withstands hard winters, and back-buds on old wood with consistent energy. It is an ideal bonsai for beginners who want to learn to work a vigorous broadleaf without encountering the fragility of more demanding species. Its only real drawback in bonsai: initially large leaves that take years of patient work to bring to satisfying proportions.
Wild Apple
Malus sylvestris
Wild Apple is a three-faced bonsai: pink-white flowers in spring, tiny golden apples in autumn, bare and twisted silhouette in winter. What makes it unique. Malus sylvestris offers a spectacular evolution through the seasons that few species match. In April–May, it explodes into abundant flowers before the leaves are even fully developed. Then come the fruits — small wild apples of 1 to 3 cm, yellow-green or red-orange depending on the variety — persisting until December. Winter finally reveals a grey-brown bark that cracks with age into irregular plates, sculpting expressive reliefs found on no other common broadleaf bonsai. Origin. Native to temperate Europe, Malus sylvestris is the botanical ancestor of virtually all cultivated apple trees. It is found at forest edges, in hedgerows and in open undergrowth of France, Germany, Great Britain and central Europe, up to 1,200 m altitude. Its use in bonsai developed principally in Europe and Japan, where Asian crab apples (Malus floribunda, Malus halliana) are also highly prized for their denser flowering. A bonsai of rewarded patience. Malus sylvestris requires complete winter dormancy outdoors — without it, neither flowering nor fruit. It demands reasoned pruning (prune after flowering, not before) and balanced fertilization that does not sacrifice fruit at the expense of vegetative growth. Intermediate in difficulty, it rewards attention to its biological calendar with a spectacle that renews interest at every season.
Winter Jasmine
Jasminum nudiflorum
Winter Jasmine blooms in the depths of winter on completely bare wood — its bright yellow flowers on green stems are one of the first signs of life in the cold season. What makes it unique. Jasminum nudiflorum is a deciduous shrub with arching stems, green year-round, that produce luminously yellow flowers from December to March, well before the first leaf buds appear. This winter bloom on bare wood is its signature: no fragrance like its cousin Jasminum officinale, but a burst of colour that cuts through the gloom of the cold season. Its bright green stems, capable of photosynthesising in winter, give it a lively, dynamic quality even during full leaf dormancy. Origin and natural habitat. Native to the rocky slopes and mountain gorges of western and central China, Winter Jasmine grows naturally in sunny to semi-shaded exposures, often on cliffs or slopes — which explains its naturally trailing and arching habit. It was introduced to Europe in the 19th century and quickly established itself as an essential ornamental winter shrub. An accessible bonsai with precise stylistic potential. Hardy, tolerant of difficult conditions, and easy to grow, Winter Jasmine is a beginner-friendly species. Its naturally cascading habit makes it an ideal candidate for han-kengai and kengai styles, and its winter bloom provides rare seasonal interest in a bonsai collection. The key to success lies in understanding its flowering cycle and applying appropriate pruning.