MBS

Bonsai Organizations

Founded in 1967, the American Bonsai Society, Inc. (absbonsai.org) is the pioneering national bonsai organization for North America, including Mexico, the United States, and Canada. As a non-profit corporation, they promote knowledge of and interest in bonsai and to serve as a focal point for bonsai learning in North America. Our own MBS webmaster, Pam W. has served as webmaster for this organization from 1996 through 2002. She also served on the board and as secretary for ABS.

Bonsai Clubs International, (bonsai-bci.com) a non-profit educational organization, advances the ancient and living art of bonsai and related arts through the global sharing of knowledge. Jack D. has served on the board and as president of this organization. Mary T. has served as corresponding secretary.

The Golden State Bonsai Federation (gsbfbonsai.org) an educational organization which provides services and activities promoting the art of bonsai throughout California. Our club's Sensei Ted Matson has just complete his term as president of this organization.

Mid America Bonsai Alliance (mababonsai.org) is an organization made up of local bonsai clubs and societies from nine midwest U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Currently, those states/provinces are: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Ontario, and Wisconsin. Our MBS has hosted two MABA conventions. Pam W, Sharon S, Ron F. and Kris Z. have all served on their board or directors. Kris is currently the treasurer.

National Bonsai Foundation (bonsai-nbf.org) nonprofit organization established to sustain the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. This private/public collaboration between the Foundation and the Arboretum enables the Museum to promote the art of bonsai and penjing to visitors through masterpiece displays and educational programs while also fostering intercultural friendship and understanding. Our own Jack D has a tree on display at the museum.

The North American Bonsai Federation (http://www.northamericanbonsaifederation.com/) is an organization that represents the North American region in the World Bonsai Friendship Federation and as such is dedicated to the promotion of peace, friendship and goodwill in the world through cultural outreach and exchange possible with the practice of bonsai and related art forms.

Retail Links

Adams' Bonsai copper wire is THE CHOICE of bonsai professionals and knowledgeable hobbyists. Located in central Virginia

Ancient Arts Bonsai carries pre bonsai, pots, and supplies. Ron can be found during several club meetings with trees and supplies. (262) 490-8733 aabonsai@charter.net

Brussel's Bonsai Largest importer and grower of fine bonsai. Wide variety of bonsai trees.

Cass Bonsai Gardens offers finished bonsai, workshop stock, large selection of pots and bonsai supplies. Located outside of St Louis

DaSu Bonsai Studios has grown to include pottery hand built in our pottery studio, imported items, a full supply of books and tools. Located in central Iowa.

Golden Arrow Bonsai collects, trains and sells bonsai specimen material from the mountains of the Western United States. Many of these trees are quite ancient and every one is a unique specimen trained by the fierce mountain winds, the deep winter snows and the life-giving spring rains. Located in South Dakota

Leo Schordje Raising Orchids, Bonsai and Bamboo. Located in Northern Illinois

Meehan Miniatures Specializing in bonsai and rare plant materials. They grow an assortment of plants, specializing in dwarf and miniature varieties, tropical and subtropical trees suitable for indoor conditions and temperate plants suitable for outdoor conditions.

Nature's Way Bonsai feels it's important to provide high grade field grown and collected specimens. The plants are well established and held to ensure health before selling. They also offer a superb selection of tropicals for the indoor enthusiast.

Nino's Landscape Company a long time supporter of the club offers bonsai tools, pots, fertilizers and nursery supplies during several of the club meetings. (414) 761-9298

Sara Rayner Pottery creates hand made contemporary and traditional design porcelain and stoneware bonsai containers.

Stone Lantern bonsai books, tools, pots, wire, watering systems and other supplies for bonsai.

Wisco Bonsai carries North American Sourced Substrate, Wisconsin made Wound Putty (cut paste), hand-made vessels by Local Artists and much more. wiscobonsai@gmail.com, @wisco_bonsai on Instagram and 414-248-3827.

Education

The Art of Bonsai Project (artofbonsai.org) is an online journal and community for the examination and exploration of the bonsai art form.

Artistic Foundations of Bonsai Design is web book will be an effort to help bonsai enthusiasts understand how to use time-honored methods - artistic methods - for producing more successful and meaningful bonsai designs and displays.

Bonsai Book of Days check out what happended on this day in bonsai history. by Robert J. Baran of Phoenix Bonsai

Bonsai Empire (bonsaiempire.com) A community built by enthusiasts and experts from around the world. Articles to help you get started.

Bonsai Tonight (bonsaitonight.com) is the website of bonsai teacher and writer Jonas Dupuich. Lots of information for bonsai enthusiasts of all levels.

Bonsai4Me has several basic to advanced articles and photo series.

The Comprehensive History of Bonsai and the Related Arts: an eclectic, on-going presentation and archive so you can better appreciate your interest in bonsai by Robert J. Baran of Phoenix Bonsai

Crataegus Bonsai (crataegus.com) Michael Hagedorn continues to inspire us with articles about his experiences with bonsai.

Knowledge of Bonsai (knowledgeofBonsai.org) Hosts some of the most respected names in bonsai and is sure to become a hot spot of activity for those interested in the pursuit of knowledge and unfiltered content.

National Bonsai Foundation Blogs (bonsai-nbf.org/blogs/) site links to some of the bonsai-related blogs.

Peter Tea Bonsai (ptbonsai.com) site has several articles around the practice of Bonsai. Much of the content has been used for his Advance Study Groups.

Quiet Crow Bonsai (quietcrowbonsai.com) site teaches you to use your creativity, to create your bonsai dreams, how you can to grow your own club or organization.

Walter Pall Bonsai Articles (walterpallbonsaiarticles.blogspot.com) with articles about bonsai.

Collections

Bonsai Collection at Como Park MN: The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory houses the largest public Bonsai collection in the upper Midwest. The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory’s first bonsai were a donation of trees previously displayed at, and owned, by First Bank System, Inc., in 1987. The Conservatory’s bonsai collection can be found in The Ordway Gardens http://www.comozooconservatory.org/attractions/gardens/bonsai-gallery/#/info

Bonsai Exhibit at Lynden : a collaboration with the Milwaukee Bonsai Society and the Milwaukee Bonsai Foundation. The Bonsai Exhibit includes a display area for bonsai, waterside teaching patio, and pollinator garden. The area will be a place to admire bonsai in season, to participate in workshops, or to enjoy the peaceful setting. Experience the beauty of bonsai and make a new connection between art and nature. http://www.lyndensculpturegarden.org/Bonsai

Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt: Home to some of the finest Bonsai on the west coast. The BGLM, located at Oakland’s Lakeside Park, is the only major all-volunteer bonsai garden in the country and houses some of the most important bonsai in the US. http://gsbf-lakemerritt.org/garden/

Brooklyn Botanical Gardens: C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum's extensive bonsai collection is one of the finest in the world. The collection of approximately 350 trees is the second oldest in the country and one of the largest on public display outside Japan, with as many as 30 specimens on exhibit at any given time. https://www.bbg.org/collections/gardens/bonsai_museum

Clark Bonsai COllection at Shinzen Friendship Garden Fresno, CA The Clark Collection includes 100 trees, 75 of which hold accessioned status. Among these are two legacy trees formerly owned by Japanese-Americans. During their internment in World War II, the trees survived through the care of good neighbors and friends. In 2014 the Clark Center for Asian Arts and Culture gifted their legacy Bonsai Collection to the Golden State Bonsai Federation (GSBF). GSBF responded to Shinzen’s robust campaign to present Fresno as the preferred site with its decision to house this world-class Collection in our Shinzen Friendship Garden within a specially created bonsai exhibit area. Our Central Collection joins the North Collection at Oakland’s Lake Merritt and the Southern Collection at San Marino’s Huntington Garden. http://www.shinzenjapanesegarden.org/clark-bonsai.html

Chicago Botanic Gardens Bonsai Courtyard: From this collection, 50 of the showiest trees, at their prime moments of ornamental appeal, are chosen for public outdoor display in the Searle and Runnells Courtyards adjacent to the Regenstein Center http://www.chicagobotanic.org/walk/bonsai.php

Elandan Gardens The collection, which includes trees more than 1000 years old, represents DanRobinson's 50+ years of dedication to the art of bonsai http://www.elandangardens.com/

Hidden Lakes Gardens Bonsai Collection at Michegan State University http://hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu/garden_highlights/bonsai_collection

The Huntington Bonsai Collection: Visitors to the Bonsai collection are treated to an ever-changing display of one of the largest and finest public masterpiece bonsai collections in the United States. Started in 1968 with personal trees donated by the late Bob Watson, the bonsai holdings now number in the hundreds, representing many different species, styles and sizes, from centuries-old twisted junipers to majestic pines, stately elm forests, and more. http://www.huntington.org/WebAssets/Templates/content.aspx?id=15393

James J. Smith Bonsai Gallery This Florida collection features about 110 trees of 35 species, almost all of which are tropical and subtropicals and continuously displayed. Their oldest tree is thought to be about 200 years old, a buttonwood with a massive driftwood trunk collected from the Florida Keys that has been in training since 2004. https://www.heathcotebotanicalgardens.org/garden-rooms/james-j-smith-bonsai-gallery/

Japanese Friendship Garden’s Bonsai Collection San Diego The San Diego Bonsai Club takes care of our wonderful collection. To learn more about the SDBC visit their website at sandiegobonsaiclub.com and/or stop by the Garden on Fridays where you’ll find club members pruning our bonsai under the Wisteria Arbor near the office. http://www.niwa.org/bonsai-collection/

Larz Anderson Bonsai Collection at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University-Boston, MA of Japanese Dwarfed Trees at the Arnold Arboretum was originally imported into the United States by the Honorable Larz Anderson in 1913, upon his return from serving as ambassador to Japan. All told, 35 masterfully curated specimens comprise the Bonsai and Penjing Collection http://www.arboretum.harvard.edu/plants/bonsai/intro.html

Monastery of the Holy Spirit Bonsai Collection. These trees are the work of many of the worlds most renowned Bonsai masters and include the work of the Monastery's own Brother Paul http://www.trappist.net/plan-your-visit/visitor-center/bonsai-collection

The Montréal Botanical Garden has five collections of miniaturized trees, each different, with its own rules reflecting different cultural values and esthetic criteria. These collections have attracted large numbers of visitors each year and in fact make up one of the largest bonsai and penjing collections anywhere outside of Asia. Les Collections d'Arbres Miniatures au Jardin Botanique de Montréal http://espacepourlavie.ca/en/botanical-garden-collections/bonsai-and-penjing

Morikami Museum Bonsai Collection: A premier bonsai collection with a new perspective. Dr. Ron and Arlene Kessler’s gift is both monetary and in-kind; in addition to their endowment, the Kesslers have donated more than three dozen bonsai from their personal collection. The updated walk features bamboo accents, Japanese roof tile borders, state of the art irrigation and a gathering area, encouraging visitors to stop and truly appreciate each individual bonsai.  In the gathering area interpretive signage offers a glimpse into the art and technique of training and sculpting a bonsai. http://morikami.org/roji-en/bonsai-collection/

National Bonsai & Penjing Museum The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum began when Japanese bonsai enthusiasts in the Nippon Bonsai Association donated 53 bonsai and 6 viewing stones to the people of the United States to commemorate the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976. The collection has grown steadily with the addition of pieces from American bonsai masters and penjing from China. Today, 3 pavilions house about 150 plants. http://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/collections/bonsai.html

North Carolina Bonsai Arboretum-Ashville, NC Established in October 2005, The North Carolina Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden is a world renowned garden that hosts up to 50 bonsai specimen at a time. http://www.ncarboretum.org/exhibits/outdoors/gardens-collections/bonsai/

Pacific Bonsai Museum Weyerhaeuser Company opened the Collection in 1989, in conjunction with the Washington State Centennial celebration. The Collection was established to symbolize Weyerhaeuser’s long-term commitments to forest resources. At the end of 2013 the corporation gifted the entire collection to a new non-profit, The George Weyerhaeuser Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection, now known as the Pacific Bonsai Museum connects people to nature through the living art of bonsai. A grand outdoor setting with the elegance of a fine art museum, the Museum boasts over 150 bonsai and the most diverse public collection in North America with trees from Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the United States. Featuring sixty trees  at a time and open to the public six days a week, this cultural gem offers contemporary and traditional exhibitions, group tours, and education. http://pacificbonsaimuseum.org/thecollection/