Resources Click the image or icon for a Resource to go to their website.
Section Links:
Many, many videos on bonsai are fund at the following YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMIZqKAtSetjReDVLvBV0tA
Bonsai Organizations
The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is part of the U. S. National Arboretum in Washington, DC. This museum belongs to us all and is a truly wonderful place to visit.
At the moment, of course, their bonsai—like everyone else’s—are mostly in bed for the winter.
The National Bonsai Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. And you may not know that the recent past President of the National Bonsai Foundation is our very own member, Felix Laughlin.
The National Bonsai Foundation website is at the following link:
While we are waiting for spring, Felix suggests we subscribe to their free Museum Messages newsletter to cheer ourselves up. Click below to subscribe:
http://www.bonsai-nbf.org/sign-up/
Also, click the next link to download an issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine with description and pictures of the new Japanese Pavilion now being built at the National Museum.
Recently added resources:
Bjorn Bjorholm / Eisei‑en (Kyoto)
• URL: https://www.bjornbjorholm.com
• Overview: American bonsai professional Bjorn Bjorholm—former apprentice under Keiichi Fujikawa—has relocated his renowned Eisei‑en Bonsai Garden from Tennessee to Kyoto, Japan.
• What it offers:
– In-person Intensive Bonsai Courses in Kyoto covering styling, aesthetics, seasonal work, grafting, and field trips to local bonsai gardens
– Online video platform Bonsai-U, featuring monthly demos, livestreams, and tree critiques
– Guided Japan Bonsai Tours to nurseries, exhibitions, and cultural landmarks
– YouTube channel with behind-the-scenes content from Kyoto bonsai projects
• Courses & Pricing: https://www.bjornbjorholm.com/school
• Recommended for: Beginners to advanced enthusiasts seeking high-level, immersive instruction from a Western bonsai artist based in Japan’s cultural heart. Ideal for serious learners wanting deep seasonal work, artistic refinement, and direct cultural experience.
• YouTube Link:
https://www.youtube.com/@Bjorvalabonsai
Bonsai Empire
• URL: https://www.bonsaiempire.com
• Overview: An excellent well-established bonsai education platform globally, founded by Oscar Jonker.
• What it offers:
– Free articles, species guides, care tutorials, styling basics
– Paid online courses with top bonsai artists from Japan and the U.S.
• Courses:
Courses range from beginner level to advanced with Masahiko Kimura
Cost: $49.99–$99.99.
• Recommended for: Beginners through advanced enthusiasts who want a structured learning path.
Bonsai Mirai (Mirai Live)
• URL: https://live.bonsaimirai.com
• Instructor: Ryan Neil, former apprentice of Masahiko Kimura
• What it offers:
– Livestreams, in-depth tree critiques, horticulture and design theory
– Extensive video library with over 100 hours of tutorials
• Membership Tiers:
Basic: $9.99/mo
Standard: $17.99/mo
Pro: $29.99/mo
Bonsai Tonight
• URL: https://bonsaitonight.com
• Author: Jonas Dupuich, author of The Little Book of Bonsai
• What it offers:
– Blogs, exhibits and podcasts on bonsai care and development
– Excellent photo tutorials and seasonal maintenance tips
• Cost: Free blog; book available for $24.99
• Recommended for: Beginners and club members; great for ongoing inspiration and practice-based learning.
Wabi Channel (by Seiji Morimae)
• URL: https://www.youtube.com/@WABICHANNEL-kf5xf/videos
• Platform: YouTube
• Producer: Seiji Morimae is a renowned figure in the world of bonsai and suiseki, known for his dedication to formal display (keido) and his ownership of S-Cube, a bonsai garden (Uchiku-tei) and retail stores in Japan.
• What it offers:
– Japanese bonsai displays, suiseki philosophy, formal exhibitions
– Aesthetic insights from Japan’s top bonsai curator
• Cost: Free
• Recommended for: Advanced enthusiasts and aesthetes interested in Japanese bonsai culture, history, and display philosophy.
Bonsai Today
• Website: https://bonsaitoday.com
• What it offers: Bonsai Focus E-magazine
Cost: Free trial, $5.95 monthly, $15.95 quarterly, and $99.95 yearly.
• Recommended for: All levels, especially those who prefer structured magazine-based learning.
International Bonsai (William N. Valavanis)
• Website: https://www.internationalbonsai.com
• What it offers:
– Free Subscription to the International BONSAI Online Magazine
Published by William N. Valavanis
• Cost: Free, bi-monthly digital issues
Covers bonsai techniques, artist profiles, exhibitions, and more
Sign up here: https://internationalbonsaionline.com
• Recommended for: Intermediate to advanced enthusiasts; collectors and those serious about classical bonsai.
Crataegus Bonsai
• URL: https://crataegus.com
• Author: Michael Hagedorn, American apprentice of Shinji Suzuki and author of Bonsai Heresy and Post-Dated: The Schooling of an Irreverent Bonsai Monk
• What it offers:
– Thoughtful blog posts on bonsai philosophy, design, and horticulture
– Online learning resources
• Cost: Free blog; books ~$17–$28
• Recommended for: Intermediate to advanced practitioners interested in artistic development and long-term tree refinement
Herons Bonsai (Peter Chan)
• URL: youtube.com/@HeronsBonsaiUK
Platform: YouTube
What it offers:
– Hundreds of accessible bonsai styling tutorials
– Practical demonstrations with commentary
Cost: Free
Recommended for: All levels, especially hands-on learners.
Bonsai Releaf (Tony Tickle)
URL: https://www.youtube.com/@BonsaiReleaf
• Platform: YouTube
• What it offers:
– Tree development over time, exhibitions, and design tips
• Cost: Free
• Recommended for: Intermediate to advanced bonsai enthusiasts.
American Bonsai Society
A nonprofit national organization that publishes a journal (American Bonsai Society Journal), holds conventions, and provides training courses. Their website contains lots of useful information, including a list of all the bonsai clubs in the US and Canada.
Art of Bonsai Project
An online journal and community. Posts many good articles by well-known artists.
Bonsai Clubs International
A nonprofit organization that sponsors an annual major international convention, and publishes a magazine.
Bonsai Empire..
A general website with great information, photos, movies, a blog and a forum
Arboretums
National Bonsai Foundation
Supports the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum at the National Arboretum in Washington, DC. Wonderful Japanese, Chinese, North American, and viewing stone collections. Very good photos on their website.
North Carolina Arboretum
The NC Arboretum is located just outside Asheville and is a major resource for the western NC area. Hosts the annual Carolina Bonsai Expo. The Curator of the bonsai collection and the expo is Arthur Jura.
Vendors
Please note that Blue Ridge Bonsai does not endorse any particular vendors. We are just listing some that are used happily by at least some of our members.
Bonsai Learning Center
While primarily a provider of classes and workshops, the BLC also sells tools. The BLC was located in Charlotte, NC but now has new owners and is moving to the Raleigh area. Watch the website for information.
Specializes in dwarf conifers. Good material for bonsai development. Does not sell bonsai or bonsai supplies....
40 Elkins Branch Road, Weaverville, North Carolina 28787 United States 828.301.2184 Michael Balogh
BB Barns Garden Center
Good general garden center and nursery in the Asheville area. Sells some bonsai and bonsai supplies.
Jesse Israel and Sons Garden Center
Good general garden center and nursery in the Asheville area. Sells some bonsai pots and small nursery stock seasonly.
Reems Creek Nursery
Good general nursery in Weaverville, north of Asheville. Does not sell bonsai supplies.
Artists
Arthur Joura
Arthur has been Bonsai Curator at the NC Arboretum since the beginning of their bonsai collection. He supervised the design and constructions of the Bonsai Exhibition Garden, started and still organizes the annual Carolina Bonsai Expo, lectures widely and is a good friend to all bonsai clubs.
Curator of Bonsai, NC Arboretum
Bjorn Bjorholm
Bjorn apprenticed for six years in Japan and is now certified as a bonsai professional with the Japanese Bonsai Association. He does demonstrations and classes internationally, leads bonsai tours to Japan, writes a blog, and has created online beginners' and intermediate bonsai courses which are available for moderate fees.
Boon Manakitivipart
Website, workshops, and training DVDs from Boon Manakitivipart, an American who trained and apprenticed in Japan.
Dan Robinson
Distinctive approach to American bonsai. Promoter of "ancient and gnarly trees."
International Bonsai Artist
Danny Coffey
Danny Coffey is a bonsai professional in the Charlotte, NC area. His Instagram account contains a blog discussing bonsai facts, exhibits, and art inspired by bonsai as well as his experience as an apprentice in Nagoya, Japan and as an intern at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum at the National Arboretum with many beautiful photographs. To reach his Instagram account, copy the following web address and paste it into our browser: .https://instagram.com/treethepeople/
Danny now also has studio space in the River Arts District of Asheville at Studio 281 in Riverview Station at 191 Lyman Street, 28801. He will be offering some classes later at this location. At the moment, he is there only by appointment.
Bonsai Artist
Owen Reich
Owen has a degree in ornamental horticulture and has spent much time in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, but he is also a well-known speaker on Japanese styling and display standards for bonsai and kusomono (companion plants). His website includes a blog.
Rodney Clemons
Owns Allgood Bonsai nursery and studio in the Atlanta area, is the curator of the bonsai collection at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, and is a frequent presenter at expos and workshops. He is a specialist in boxwood bonsai.
See the AllgoodBonsaid page on Facebook
Tyler Sherrod
Tyler grew up in Hickory, NC and graduated from the U of TN at Knoxville before discovering bonsai at the Bonsai Learning Center in Charlotte and attending several workshops with Boon Manakitivipart. Boon helped Tyler gain a 5-year apprentice-ship with Shinji Suzuki in Obuse, Japan. Tyler is now certified by the Nippon Bonsai Association and has established the Dogwood Studios in Hickory.
His blog is at https://tylersherrodbonsai.wordpress.com/ and his website is:https://www.dogwoodstudiosnc.com/
Walter Pall
Walter Pall lives in Germany but is very often in the US. He has been the featured artist at the Carolina Bonsai Expo three times. He was an early proponent of “naturalistic bonsai.”
William Valavanis holds degrees in ornamental horticulture and also apprenticed in Omiya Bonsai Village in Japan. He owns the International Bonsai Arboretum in Rochester, NY, organized the first three US National Bonsai Expos, and has a world-wide teaching schedule. He has both a website at International Bonsai and a blog.
Jonas is responsible for the Bonsai Tonight newsletter and Bonsai Wire podcast.
Click the link below to see Jonas Dupuich' photos of some very beautiful trees from the
American Bonsai Association of Sacramento's
62nd Annual Exhibit
From there, you can also hear his audio recording of the critique at this show.
https://bonsaitonight.com/2022/04/15/highlights-from-the-abass-62nd-annual-exhibit/
Jonah Dupuich
Ryan Neil
Ryan is based in Portland, OR. His website,
offers many classes and recorded demos on "science-based bonsai design" and related subjects.