Blue Pink

Exotic Choices for Bonsai

Most bonsai trees are a coniferous or deciduous species, with the occasional fruit tree forming part of the collection. But there are more exotic bonsai choices that permit the bonsai artist to further develop his or her skills.

An example of an exotic choice is Wisteria, a plant native to Korea, Japan, and China which can reach more than 30 feet in size in the wild. Not conforming to any of the traditional bonsai styles, Wisteria can make for an interesting challenge.

The flowers, assuming a variety of colors – pink, purple, blue, and white – are both aromatic and beautiful. They bloom in the spring at which time they need a lot of water, so long as there is sufficient drainage. Wisteria do well in full sun to partial shade. Provide ample fertilizer in spring just before they flower, then again in late summer while the leaves are still present.

If you love fragrant flowers, an excellent alternative is Orange Jasmine which produces a bright red fruit and fragrant white blossoms, bringing both delight to the nose and beauty to the eye.

Orange Jasmine should be fed every three to four weeks beginning in early spring and continuing through mid-autumn. Light watering is adequate for most of the year, with slightly more in the hotter season.

Because they generally do better in moderate shade or filtered sun, Orange Jasmine is one of the few bonsai that can, and should be grown indoors.

Mimosa, or silk trees as they are sometimes called owing to their long silky filaments, are as fragrant as either of the two choices above. Their lacy foliage and puffy flowers are also just as lovely.

Moderate water should be given to the Mimosa during the blooming season which is from late April to early July.  However, care should be given to avoid getting water on the flowers themselves, since the flowers will rapidly deteriorate when wet, similar to a number of other flowering plants.

If you choose to cultivate a Mimosa, it will be one of the larger bonsai in your collection since they have large leaves, grow rapidly, and are difficult to maintain at a very small size.  So be sure to give then adequate room in your display area.

The Desert Rose is another non-traditional bonsai that can turn an ordinary collection into one full of color and excitement. This native of East Africa can grow up to 10 feet in the wild and produce large, pink, trumpet-bowl flowers.

Very bushy, it makes an excellent design complement to the many trees in a standard bonsai set. They need lots of fresh air and ample sunshine, so keep them outside most of the year.

Since they are sensitive to cold, they need to be moved indoors during periods of cold weather below 50F (10C).  They will lie dormant but healthy when temperatures are in the range of 50F-60F (10C-15C) and will need very little water at this time.

You should try your hand at some of these exotic fragrant and beautiful flowering plants to expand your horizon and further develop your bonsai gardening skills. They provide a nice contrast when placed among some of the more standard evergreens, such as, junipers, pines, and firs.  Additionally, as they lose their leaves in the fall and flower in the spring, you’ll have an interesting season-changing display.

George Dodge enjoys gardening and landscaping as a hobby.  Bonsai gardening offers hours of enjoyment producing delightful miniture trees and shrubs as an art form. His Bonsai Tree Gardening site shares tips for the beginning bonsai gardener.  Experiment with exotic bonsai choices to roundout your collection.

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