As always, the Australian Plants as Bonsai Show, at the National Botanical Gardens in Canberra, was a wonderful display of native bonsai. It is always inspiring to see. Below are a selection of trees with their catalogue descriptions.
19 Ti tree
Leptospermum grandifolium
Tree age 23 years
Styled since 2004
Pot by Roger Hnatiuk
The naturally complex branching reminds me of brush-bashing but the tan bark in thin layers is beautiful. The natural die-back reminds me of the perils of life in a harsh land.
28 Silver banksia
Banksia marginata
Tree age 14 years
Styled since 2014
Pot by Pat Kennedy
Naturally small leaves and robust growth make Banksia marginata an easy bonsai subject. The colour and texture of the pot complement the bark and the nebari (root-trunk junction) gives a feeling of great stability.
12. Brittle gum
Eucalyptus mannifera
Tree age 12 years
Styled since 2016
Pots by James Tranter and Greg Watson
Accent Lepidobolus drapetocoleus
I love the look of the clean white bark on our local brittle gums in summer after they shed the old bark.
31. River bottlebrush
Melaleuca sieberi
Tree age about 10 years
Styled since 2014
Pot by Pat Kennedy
This tree has been growing on the rock since it was bought as tube stock. I really like how the Pat Kennedy pot matches the rock’s colours.
20 Kunzea and Wollemi pine
Kunzel badjaensis and Wollemia nobilis
Kunzea age 35 years, styled since 2004
Pot unknown
Wollemi age 4 years, styled since 2021
Pot by Roger Hnatiuk
Flat land stretches to the horizon
Hidden gorges plunge deep
Valleys filled with shade and fog
Hope rises with a new generation
Calligraphy by Lao mo
Poem by Roger Hnatiuk
4. Flaky-barked tea tree
Leptospermum trinevium
Tree age 37 years
Styled since 2015
Pot by Tracey Francis
Accent Varnish gum (Eucalyptus vernicosa)
The Leptospermum trinevium, commonly known as the flaky-barked tea tree, is a stunning flowering species native to Australia. Known for its delicate, evergreen foliage and profuse white or pinkish flowers, this bonsai brings a touch of elegance and charm to my collection. Its small aromatic leaves are dark green with a subtle silver sheen, providing a lovely contrast to the tree’s gentle flowering. In addition to its aesthetic beauty, the Leptospermum trinevium is well-suited to bonsai cultivation due to its resilient nature and ability to adapt to pruning and shaping. This species is ideal for bonsai enthusiasts seeking a tree with both visual appeal and versatility. The flaky-barked tea tree thrives in well-drying soil and benefits from regular watering and plenty of light.
8. Ovens wattle
Acacia pravissima
Tree age unknown
Styled since 2005
Pot origin unknown
Acacia pravissima, widely recognised as the Ovens wattle, is a captivating Australian native tree characterised by its distinctive triangular to almost heart-shaped foliage. This charming and resilient plant offers gardeners a splash of colour as it bursts into a profusion of bright yellow flowers during late winter to early spring. Growing to heights ranging from three to six metres, the Ovens wattle serves as a versatile addition to gardens, both as a standalone feature and as part of mixed plantings.
39 Coast banksia
Banksia integrifolia
Tree age 30 years
Styled since 2000
Pot origin Australia
This is a tree constantly redesigned by nature. It grows and then it is knocked back but keeps growing despite hardships.
36. Mugga or red iron bark
Eucalyptus sp.
Tree age 12 years
Styled since 2016
Pot by Alex A, Canberra
Accent Hibbertia procumbens
Dug in 2013 from a friend’s yard. It has the attributes of the tree it was under, Eucalyptus sideroxylon, red or muggy iron bark.
