Bonsai Exhibit at Elizabeth Park

Greater Hartford Bonsai Society Exhibit at Elizabeth Park - June 2018

I've always loved looking at bonsai. There is something so serene and simple about the low containers with their tree-like forms. The Greater Hartford Bonsai Society held an exhibit in the long green house at Elizabeth Park in West Hartford, Connecticut this past weekend.

Each bonsai is presented on a wooden base, raising the experience to that of viewing an important work of art. Bonsai can be evergreen, deciduous, flowering, small or tall. The idea is to contain the roots, keep it trimmed, and use wires to train and shape it.

This Jade plant had one of the taller, larger pots

The shallow dish holding this mugo pine is more customary.

Often Bonsai trunks are very sculptural

The Japanese tradition is to keep Bonsai as long as possible. Families pass down their prized Bonsai from one generation to another. Many survive multiple generations and with care can live hundreds of years.

The Bonsai in this exhibit ranged in age from 10 years to 300 years old

To find a Bonsai society in your area, click here

Many thanks to my friend Donna for keeping me company on this recent day trip to Elizabeth Park!

Donna surrounded by pink roses

Laura S. Pringle is the author of The Pringle Plan, a series of educational guides. 

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