A popular feature of the National Arboretum is the extensive collection of bonsai and penjing. If you are like us you will have some idea about bonsai, being miniature versions of trees, growing in small decorative Japanese dishes. Bonsai has been practised in Japan for at least 1,200 years.
Penjing is quite similar but involves more than one tree. Penjing is the art of growing a miniature landscape in a pot or tray, and has been practised in China for at least 1,400 years.
Penjing
The oldest known bonsai and penjing are over 600 years old. While trees can live for hundreds and sometimes thousands of years, bonsai and penjing can live indefinitely because of the constant regeneration of their roots.
Coastal tea tree, Leptospermum laevigatum
About 80 bonsai and penjing are usually on display in the Collection, including a variety of traditional and modern styles, and both exotic and Australian trees. They are all on loan from the artists, or their family or friends.
Penjing may have an attached a story or piece of poetry, and include rocks, different trees, ground covers and small figurines or objects.
An important philosophical principle of bonsai and penjing is reverence for old age and respect for individuals who have survived life’s difficulties with humility and dignity.
Bonsai and penjing artists sculpt the living tree to produce a miniature version of a full-size tree growing in the wild. They are designed to create a sense of calm and peacefulness.
Some of the native Australian trees on display last Friday were Banksias, Eucalypts and Tea Tree.
Eucalpyt
We were all quite intrigued, but I am sorry I did not have better light for photos. It is a place I would like to return to!
Banksia
Growers say the bonsai art inspires a great love and respect for nature and an understanding of universal truths … which can only be a good thing!
dadirridreaming 
Reblogged this on KenMaursCorner and commented:
Another reason to visit our country’s Capitol……to visit the arboretum especially the Bonsai and penjing! Isn’t the Banksia FANTASTIC! I kept looking for the “big bad banksia man” to appear
Christine You have given me another reason to revisit Canberra…….to see the Bonsai collection! Especially the Banksia.
Thank you once again for sharing. Did the kids go looking for the big bad banksia man?
I did not seem to be near the kids much in there, I was concentrating on the pics … and they were rushing ahead! I have posted another banksia pic, see the link below in a comment 🙂
Oh I love the aesthetics of bonsai, but I have reservations about interfering with nature. I also like the land art of people like Andy Goldsworthy, with the same reservations. How on earth do I resolve this? I look back at the images you’ve posted, especially the first one – the lovely winding together of the two trunks – and I’m delighted at its beauty. Can I see as homage: highlighting the essences of the trees, especially their trunks, by miniaturising?
What a treat to see these. Amazing to see eucalypts in miniature. You did such a lot during your time in Canberra.
the arboretum was a little treasure trove!
Very nice! They are very zen-like trees! They seem infused with Buddha-nature! 🙂
they were lovely to be around, but I think it might be more valuable to have just one, or two?
Incredible! It takes much patience, time, and knowledge to grow bonsai. Great photos, Christine!
thanks Amy, it was a bit frustrating trying to capture them well, so I did my best … so glad people can enjoy them!
I’ve found bonsai is difficult to photo. But, you captured the beauty of bonsai. Thank you so much for sharing!
Oh I love the idea of connected poems!
The penjing look beautiful. You mentioned that both exotic and Australian trees are used for creating penjing, so I wondered: are there specific trees that can only be used for bonsai and penjing? Or can the artist use any tree species?
I guess some work more easily than others, but there was quite a range on display … it might depend on the artist’s own likings …
Wonderful to see these trees!!
I thought so too, they are exotic aren’t they?
They are! I have only visited such a garden once in Texas.
These are all so beautiful. I’ve never heard of penjing. I’d like to give a try.
a Zen thing to do Robin 🙂
Oh these are beauties Christine, and I love the idea of connected poetry as well
maybe I did not look properly but I did not notice any on my visit ….
Maybe they were invisible poems ?
maybe I was distracted by the camera? or the children?
Fascinating, Christine! I haven’t come across Penjing before 🙂
it was new to me too Jo!
I’m almost more inspired by the fact that these exhibit pieces are on loan from local artists – because the manipulation of nature like this is an art – as I am by the wonderful pieces. I’m entranced by how the ‘natives’ respond – especially the banksia, I must admit! “)
I loved the banksia too, all that gnarly bark … there were two, and one had an enormous full-size cone … very interesting 🙂 Yes, I cannot imagine the years of painstaking work to train a tree like that …. I always remember a book I read where the hero’s bonsai (started the year he was born by his father) ((sorry tangled grammar)) was smashed …. it does not pay to be too attached!
On Tue, Apr 29, 2014 at 9:51 AM, dadirridreaming wrote:
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Did the big cone make the tree look very strange? Oh yeah, attachment … !
no, it was nestled inside the foliage … I just uploaded a photo for you … https://dadirridreaming.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/bonsai-and-penjing/cone/#main… 🙂 You are the master of unattachment being able to leave your girls and your paradise ….
On Tue, Apr 29, 2014 at 11:38 AM, dadirridreaming wrote:
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Thank you for that – fascinating, but I think you chose the correct shot for your post! I’m no master of detachment, Christine – It took me over a year to make the break, after all, and I still fight back the sadness every day. Reminds me, Moonyean sent me pictures of The Girls last night – I must write to thank her. “_
Awesome Bonsai tree Christine , Thanks for sharing this 🙂
you are welcome Jake, it is a good collection!
I absolutely love these. I’m trying to bring on some native (GB) deciduous trees grown from seedlings found on the woodland floor. It’s painstakingly slow!
are you making them into bonsai trees? what kinds are they? so many questions!!
I’ve got Oak, Hawthorn, Rowan and Hazel. I’m trying to Bonzai them having root pruned twice and prune in spring for shape. They are all flourishing but I feel I need to be more brave when root pruning. Yes, I talk to them too. Thanks for your interest.
Can we see a photo one day? … of the ‘work in progress’? sounds inspiring!
On Thu, May 1, 2014 at 4:54 AM, dadirridreaming wrote:
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Ah! I learn something new once again. 🙂 I have a beautiful bonsai garden close to my home and am a great admirer, but I’ve never heard the term “penjing.” I have definitely noticed multiple trees and elaborate garden settings in miniature, but didn’t know there was a distinction and I’m thrilled to learn otherwise! The examples you’ve shared are really quite spectacular!
I wonder if you will notice something written about penjing when you look again? … I certainly had not heard that word before last Friday! It was a real thrill to see them 🙂
While at university…I tried my hand at Bonsai had several that weren’t too bad…the philosophy behind them was quite interesting.
now I am filled with admiration for you all over again Charles … I can see how the philosophy would suit you … what happened to your bonsai?
very neat!
they are something aren’t they?
Such beautiful works of art, Christine. The first one is absolutely stunning. I’ve never heard of Penjing before. the examples you have shown are wonderful. 🙂
thanks AD, there were so many to see, I would like to go again one day 🙂
Such beautiful photos Christine. I’m really looking forward to visiting the Arboretum. I have never heard the word “Penjing”, I learn so much from other peoples blogs. What patience and dedication has gone into the sculpting of these living works of art.
They are very very beautiful. Thanks for sharing them with us. 🙂
Christine – I was once the owner of a Bonsai…but of course it didn’t live this long…I just once in my life wanted to try – being a flower and nature enthusiast. The little tree lasted for some years, but with the amount of travelling we did in those days – my poor mother’s nerves went thin with having to care for my strange garden wims.
This is a wonderful post! “Penjing” I must admit, I have never heard of. This must be a reblog – hope you allow me to!
Have a great weekend!
I am thrilled that you would like to share it AnnChristine, these lovely trees are the work of talented artists … but of course anyone can try to do it … I imagine it must be tempting for those in a very cold climate to want to bring nature indoors 🙂
On Thu, May 1, 2014 at 7:57 PM, dadirridreaming wrote:
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Reblogged this on Leya and commented:
I wish I could visit!
Growing bonsai is something I aspire to do at some point. Aren’t they something? So zen, everything about them.
Look at the rumples in that final tree! Banksias must be picturesque at any size?