To view earlier Bonsai Exhibitions held at the Australian National Botanic Gardens : http://www.anbg.gov.au/bonsai

Australian Native Plants as Bonsai - 2010

Catalogue notes from the 7th National Exhibition of Australian Plants as Bonsai
held at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, March 2010

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Acacia howitii   prostrate form        Sticky Wattle                 8 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society A. Howittii normally grows to about 6 m. This prostrate form has become popular for bonsai as it grows quite quickly, responds well to pruning and trimming and naturally develops beautiful arching branches with pendulous foliage. Fowers are pale yellow and appear in spring. This specimen was acquired as a three-year old stock plant that had been cut back many times for cuttings. As a result of being frequently cut back as a young plant, it developed an interesting structure in the lower trunk.

Banksia marginata        Silver Banksia                 25 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society B. Marginata is native to south-eastern Australia and is the most frost hardy Banksia. Its growth form varies from dense compact shrubs in lower regions to small trees in mountain areas. Leaves are also variable, but are all silver on the underside. This tree was obtained as young nursery stock in 1985 and mainly developed since by 'clip and grow'. In recent years it has been allowed to grow out a bit more and has responded well to regular small doeses of fertiliser. B. marginata is excellent bonsai material for colder areas, tolerating frosts to 7oC.

Zieria prostrata        Carpet Star                 5 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society Z. Prostrata occurs naturally on several coastal headlands in mid-north NSW as a naturally prostrate plant spreading to about 50 cm. Small, pink star-shaped flowers in spring contrast well with the dark green leaves. It will tolerate light frost but needs shelter in Canberra’s winters. The pot was made by R. Hnatiuk, Canberra.

Allocasuarina torulosa        Forest Oak                 1.5 years in training                          Canberra City Bonsai Society This tree was purchased as a 1.3m tall sale tree and cut back to train as a bonsai. It has responded well to training and while it will improve with more years in training, it has the Aussie feel about it and has already become a pleasing bonsai. This tree also illustrates the fact that not every tree takes years to develop. 'Start big, cut back, grow on.'

Melaleuca alternifolia        Narrow leaved paperbark                 6 years in training                          Sydney City Bonsai Society This tree was a Royal Easter Show winner but it outgrew its beauty by 2008.  In August 2009 it underwent a major redesign with the full apex and two major branches removed and the back became the front.  The tree rapidly grew into its new persona with even more harmony than before.  It still needs more development to reach its peak but it has come a long way in 7 months.  For those who might not know, M. alternifolia is the tree that is farmed for Tea Tree oil.  But not this one!!

Calistemon sp.        Bottlebrush                 1.4 years in training                          Sydney City Bonsai Society After enduring years of serious neglect in a rundown nursery, this tree survived a radical root prune and a purge of hundreds of ants, hence it’s call name ‘Antsy’.  What the ants hadn’t finished a Dremel tool did and the trunk got more openings to let in light and the ‘neck’ was hollowed to give more authenticity to its hardship story.  The necessarily hard root prune set the tree back severely and it has been slower to develop than most Callistemons I have worked with.  But Antsy is finally switched on to a bonsai career and now powering on.

Kunzea ambigua        Tick Bush                 7 years in training                          Sydney City Bonsai Society "The Escapee" was acquired in 2003 as a scrawny stock plant because of the natural movement in the trunk.  Its bonsai career has been trial and error to get a pot and eventually a rock that combined with the tree's growth habit to impart a cohesive image of a bush tree growing on the edge of a cliff.

Leptospermum obovoides        Burgan                 15+ years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society This was a small Yamadori collected by the Murrumbidgee river. I like the contrast between the dead and live wood.  They, despite their appearance as small weedy shrubby bushes that grow along the Murrumbidgee corridor, live for a long time – 100 years plus.  Very hardy, they respond well to regular trimming and the wood can be trained easily when young but is very brittle when older.

Acacia cardiophylla        Acacia 'Gold Lace'                 9 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society This wattle is native to the mallee country of Gilgandra-Wagga-Lake Cargelligo, NSW.  There it grows naturally as a spreading shrub to 1-3 m high.  The cultivar ‘Gold Lace’ was selected from a batch of seedlings by E. P. Clucas of Kuranga Native Nursery in 1980.  It differs from the standard form of the species in having a prostrate habit and the tortuous shape of the branches as it ages. As a bonsai it displays delicate beauty year round.  The naturally minute leaflets and pendant branches produce a soft, subtle shape of a weeping miniature tree that encourages gentle contemplation.  Flower buds start to form in early summer and develop over the next 7-8 months until in spring they burst forth with small, intense, golden-yellow balls that produce sweet fragrance.  Altogether, a most satisfying bonsai. The pot was made by R. Hnatiuk, Canberra.

Acacia howitii        Sticky Wattle                 7 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society The plant’s natural habitat is the southern Gippsland hills of Victoria. The common name is due to the slight stickiness of the phyllodes (leaves). This bonsai is the prostrate form of the plant. In spring, it produces pale, lightly scented, light yellow balls of flowers.  I acquired this as a starter plant in a tube from one of the local nurseries in Canberra in 2003. The stem was skinnier than a chopstick. I started its training then and repotted it into a 12 cm plastic pot. Throughout the few years that followed, it was trained to slant to one side so the weeping branches could cascade over from the top of the slant. I have always been fascinated by the grace of the weeping willow and my dream was to create a weeping style one day with an Australian native. That day came when it struck me that I could use a plant with a prostrate habit. The prostrate form of  A. howittii  was my logical choice as its leaves are similar in shape to the weeping willow except much smaller which is ideal for a bonsai. Trying to keep it upright was a struggle as its stem and branches were skinny and kept falling over. Staking and wiring were the only ways to overcome this. I learnt many things about the characteristics of this plant which were invaluable to me in keeping it alive and healthy. This is my first attempt at bonsaiing an Australian native. In the autumn of 2006 it was repotted into its present container. Both the plant and I seem to have come a long way since I first brought it home. I am happy with the results so far and hope that it will continue to improve with the years to come.  Each year it has been pruned back as it grows quite vigorously until its branches fall below the rim of the pot. Next year it will be repotted probably into the same pot. It gets an occasional spray of insecticide just to keep the pests at bay, but apart from this it has been quite good and well behaved. However, it sheds some leaves occasionally, more during early summer than other times of the year.

Casuarina cunninghamiana        River Oak                 12 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society Purchased from Mynora Nursery in 1996 as a seedling, the tree was repotted into a large black plastic pot for growing on.  The top was pruned off in 1998 as there was a dry out about this time. One top branch was lost when pruning in July 2007.  I repotted the tree into a mica pot in July 08. In January 09 new strong growth was pruned back to 3-4 cm, the foliage thinned out and wire removed.  July 2009 wire and weights were applied to the left and right branches. The tree was potted into a Pat Kennedy green drum pot in July 2009. In February 2010 long branch growth was pruned back and needles thinned out.

Ficus rubiginosa        Port Jackson Fig                 16 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society This tree was purchased from the Koreshoff Nursery in 1994. In the winters of 1995 and 1996, although sheltered from the frost, the tree suffered from the cold and the top of the tree had die back in both of these seasons.  I have pruned the tree in November every year since, taking the branches back to two leaves and sprayed cuts with water to stop sap flow.  In January 2009 I wired the tree into a broom style and pruned back to 4 leaves.  The wire was removed in November 2009 and the tree defoliated. New buds appeared in about two weeks and new growth was pruned in February 2010. The tree is now in a natural growth style.

Eucalyptus scoparia        Wallangarra White Gum                 1.7 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society This E. scoparia was purchased in April 2008 from the ‘hospital’ section of a suburban nursery in Sydney. It was nearly 2 m tall with not much growth but had nice basal swell and movement in the lower section.  It was cut back to a bare stump of approximately 300 mm high and the tree has been regrown from there.  It responds well to training, the foliage reduces easily, it is suited to pot culture and in my opinion is an excellent subject for bonsai.  A full photographic progression is available on www.AusBonsai.com.

Nothofagus cunninghamii        Myrtle Beech                 5 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society Nothofagus is a genus around 70 million years old with origins in Gondwana.  The splitting of Gondwana created individual groups of species endemic to each country.  Australia has 3 species,  N. moorei,  N. gunnii and this one, N. cunninghamii.  Our Myrtle Beech grows in rainforest areas of Tasmania and Southern Victoria, and can live up to 500 years.  I obtained this plant as a small seedling about 8 years ago.   It took 3 years to begin to show development, and then, during this year, expansion occurred very fast ...  perhaps it has realised it has only 492 years left to reach full maturity!

Banksia integrifolia        Coast Banksia                 12-15 years in training                          Ledanta Bonai Nursery The tree was grown from a cutting and was used for bonsai demonstrations for a number of years. It is estimated to be 12 to 15 years old. It was purchased as a semi styled bonsai from a Canberra bonsai grower a few years ago and has since been refined to what you see now.

Tristaniopsis laurina        Water Gum                 12 years in training                          Sakura Bonsai Studio I bought this tree from Cambewarra Bonsai about 12 years ago as a collected specimen age unknown, in a black pot. It looked as if it had more stump and showed some bushfire damage. On further investigation it  only had the stump now visible. It loves its water (as you would expect) and had an unfortunate dry-out last year and went into a dormant period, I enlisted the emergency help of Noel Summerell who revived it by placing it in a plastic tray – from some unknown Endoscopy Clinic by the texta marking on it, with no drain holes and on bottom heat. It was in his care for about 4 months. It is now fully recovered and beginning to regain some style. It has never been displayed before and was recently potted in this rustic handmade Chinese pot imported by Patrick Chew.

Banksia serrata        Old Man Banksia, Saw Banksia                 24 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society Banksia serrata is a large shrub or small tree to 10 m, with a gnarled appearance. The common name comes from the saw-toothed leaves. Its attractive bark and leaves and suitability to a wide range of conditions make it a good bonsai subject. Bought as a tall skinny nursery plant with a good base, this plant was cut down to encourage branches to develop on the lower part of the trunk. Branches were selected and trained to produce the tree as it is now.

Eucalyptus nicholii        Narrow Leafed Peppermint Gum                 6 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society This tree started life as nursery stock. I purchased it in 2004 and planted it in the ground in the same year. In 2006 I dug it up and placed it into a plastic pot. In 2007 I used it as my demonstration tree for this show. Since then it has undergone some design changes and repotted into another Pat Kennedy pot as seen here. As with all my designs I am trying to capture the essence of the eucalypt as I see them in the harsh Australian environment.  This tree is close to the Japanese literati style and I find this style helps emphasize important aspects of eucalypts like the bark, upward branching and the struggle for survival.

Melaleuca linariifolia        Claret Tops                 4 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society This is a dwarf form of M. linariifolia, a small tree growing to 10 m. Its new growth is an attractive dark claret colour. Like the parent, ‘Claret Tops’ bears spikes of white fluffy flowers in spring and summer. It is a very hardy plant if adequate water is maintained, and responds well to pruning and trimming. This plant was first styled as a demonstration at this show in November 2006.

Grevillea 'Pink Lady'        Pink Lady                 8 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society A hybrid with G. juniperina as one parent, this plant grows to about 30 cm high with a spread of up to 2 m. It produces pale pink flowers in spring, and both honeyeaters and silver-eyes visited this little tree last spring. In its early bonsai history it lost a major branch for no apparent reason, but apart from that appears quite hardy and to have adapted well to pot culture.

Allocasuarina torulosa        Forest Oak                 6 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society The tree was obtained from the Yarralumla Government Nursery in 2004 in very poor condition. Two years in a 20 cm pot with an intensive feeding regime and regular pruning allowed good recovery.  In 2006 the tree was planted in its present Pat Kennedy pot, together with several small tube stock natives, to create an Australian bush scene. Of these, only one Babingtonia virgata nana remains. In 2007 and 2008 respectively, two suckers appeared close to the main tree, both of which are growing well. Apart from regular pruning, there have been no changes made in either tree.

Melaleuca bracteata        Black tea tree                 12 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society The tree was obtained from the Koreshoff Nursery in Sydney in late 1997. Notwithstanding regular pruning and feeding, the lower branches have gradually died back, leading to the present literati style. Surprisingly, some backbudding occurred this summer below the crown. This has never happened before. Next Spring the tree will be air-layered. In the meantime, it has been planted in a long, shallow ceramic tray to enhance its tall, sober outline.

Acmena smithii cultivar        Lilly Pilly                 3 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society The label of this Lilly Pilly was lost, but it is known to be a cultivar, probably of Acmena. Initially it was grown as an ornamental on a sheltered, covered balcony, where it also stayed in winter. Planted in a deep bonsai pot in 2007, its pendulous branches were considered suitable for the bonsai cascade style, so from then on it was pruned and wired accordingly. As long as it gets plenty of water and fertiliser, and is protected from low temperatures, it grows, backbuds and flowers very well. It is easy to wire, though one has to be careful with the thicker branches, as these snap fairly quickly. These last years it has been kept indoors during winter.

Tristaniopsis laurina        Water Gum                 12 years in training                          Ray Nesci Bonsai Nursery The tree was grown from a cutting approximately 15 years ago. It was grown in the root over rock style with the intention of making it a miniature. However the tree has developed beyond my original idea and only a hint of the rock remains. The leaves have been miniaturized to around 1 tenth of their normal size. This has been achieved by systematic pruning of large leaves as they develop. The colour of the pot I feel compliments the bronze colouring that appears in the new foliage. The round shape of the pot also balances well with the round silhouette that has been created with the canopy. Water Gums love water so daily watering especially in this small pot is imperative.

Melaleuca styphelioides        Prickly paperbark                 2 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society M. styphelioides of the Myrtaceae family is mostly found on the eastern side of Australia in coastal regions from the south coast of NSW through to southern Queensland.  It prefers moist conditions.  This tree was purchased from a nursery in autumn 2007.  It was pruned back hard and struggled to survive its first Canberra winter.  It was planted into the current bonsai pot in summer 2008 and has been pruned regularly to establish the current branch structure.

Ficus rubiginosa        Port Jackson Fig                 5 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society F. rubiginosa is normally found on the eastern coast of Australia from northern Queensland to the far south cost of NSW.  It can grow as tall as 30 m. This tree was purchased in winter 2003 as a starter plant from Imperial Bonsai Nursery. It was potted into the current pot in summer 2003 and has had annual pruning and defoliation.  It spends the colder months indoors in a bright and relatively warm position. I don’t expect this tree to reach 30 m.

Eucalyptus rossii        White gum, Scribbly gum                 2 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society E. rossii is a member of the Myrtaceae family and is found on the NSW tablelands and western slopes.  The common name Scribbly gum is applied to a number of smooth barked Eucalypts which play host to the larvae of a small moth.  It is the burrowing under the outer bark by the larvae that create the scribbles – which are revealed as the tree sheds its older bark. This tree was purchased from Yarralumla Nursery in winter 2005 as tube stock and was potted into the current Pat Kennedy pot in autumn 2008.  The question is, will I get to see some scribbles in the years to come?

Allocasuarina littoralis and A. Torulosa (group planting)        SBlack she oak and forest or rose she oak                 7 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society This group of three trees reminds one of a meeting of friends who have stopped for a conversation.  The differing characters of each is evident in the line of the trunk, the positioning of branches and the colours and texture of the green branchlets. The pot is from Vietnam and its dark green colour alludes to still waters of a meandering stream where the friends have stopped to converse.  Gracefullness, elegance and peacefulness are the qualities that I gain from this setting.

Sannantha sp.        Dwarf 'Baeckea'                 14 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society A miniature tree growing in a rigorous habitat.  Its roots are gnarled, holding firmly to the rough, cracking ground.  Its branches zigzag skywards, sometimes bending downwards before rising again.  Dead branches tell real stories of hardship, while the delicate, tiny leaves surprise with their tenacity for life and vigour.  In spring, white flowers enliven the canopy, followed by a profusion of tiny capsules shedding seeds for future generations.  An icon of yin and yang, of the balance of all things.  The pot is UK potter, Petra Engelke.

Banksia integrifolia        Coast Banksia                 6 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society It was first potted in 1994 from a Banksia tree found in a footpath post hole. I acquired it in 2006 and have been shaping it since in a broom type of style to imitate ones found on the coast. It is a good example of how Banksia can produce an impressive strong base with buttress roots (nebari).

Callistemon viminalis 'Captain Cook'        Dwarf Red Bottlebrush                 3 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society First potted in 2000, I have been styling this plant since 2007. It is in a slanting broom style and has a twisting exposed root base that creates a windswept appearance.

Banksia serrata        Old Man Banksia, Saw Banksia                 24 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society This tree dates from the early 1980s and has been trained since 1986 when the tree was cut back to a stump and a small branch was then wired up as a new leader. It has been styled as an informal upright since then and has thickened and matured nicely. It has recently changed owners and was repotted and tilted to the left to accentuate the flare of the trunk at the base.

Ficus rubiginosa        Port Jackson Fig                 20 years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society This tree is about 20 years old and was purchased as tube stock. It has always been grown in a bonsai pot and has just slowly matured over the years. It was defoliated twice this season to get the smaller leaves and fine ramification that you see.

Acacia retinodes        Wirilda or Swamp Wattle                 15+ years in training                          Canberra Bonsai Society The tree was bought at the 2004 CBS show, from the sales table. I think it came from a deceased estate and was estimated at 10 years plus. Originally, it had a Y shape to the trunk and 2 main branches. The 'right hand' branch was always weak and by 2006 had died. This has been ‘shortened', jinned and now roughly carved as part of the re-styling process. Wire is only rarely used, and then on very young shoots, whilst they're still very soft and only on the outer edges of the tree. Older wood has been tied down for 2 years and still bounces back quickly. The stiffness of the left hand branches is a worry and I still have to find a satisfying resolution. At the moment I'm trying to increase the feeling of weight on the right hand side of the lower branch to balance the crown of the tree. Most of the training is done by tip pruning the young shoots, very often, as they grow. When they extend to 2 or 3 very small soft leaves I trim to the bud on the side where I want the growth. I then trim back and heavily thin out the foliage once or twice a year. Mostly it is 'clip and grow' technique.

Ficus rubiginosa        Port Jackson Fig                 10 years in training                          Shibui Nursery, Yackandandah This tree is one from a group started when members of Albury/Wodonga Bonsia Society were given year old seedlings as a club project in 1993. Two seedlings were planted close together to form the twin trunk. These trees were grown slowly in 100mm plastic pots and pruned regularly to promote a compact shape. The tree is defoliated at least once each summer. Major pruning and repotting is undertaken during January. An unheated poly tunnel provides protection from frost during our north-east Victorian winters.

Photographs by members of the Canberra Bonsai Society