Spiraea as Bonsai?

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Pearcy001
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Spiraea as Bonsai?

Post by Pearcy001 »

Hello everybody,

I recently purchased this Spiraea japonica 'Goldflame' from the bargain bin at the big green shed for $3.

For those that don't know it appears to be a small deciduous clump style shrub. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with them as Bonsai, as they have a beautiful golden colour when in leaf. I believe they also have pink flowers in summer? :reading:

I forgot to take a photo of it 'naked' when I got it, but here is a photo of it in Leaf now. The new foliage emerges with a red tinge turning this golden colour. (You can see the red on the opening leaves at the base of the tree).

Image

If anyone has tried them as Bonsai I'd love for you to post a photo here. Likewise if they were a fail let us all know why.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Last edited by Pearcy001 on September 14th, 2016, 10:55 pm, edited 8 times in total.
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Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Post by Pearcy001 »

FYI - From a quick Google search these appear to be the flowers that I speak of for anyone interested.

Image

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Last edited by Pearcy001 on September 14th, 2016, 9:53 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Post by KIRKY »

Hi Pearcy,
I don't personally own one. They are succesful bonsai, Google Spiraea japonica Bonsai lots of pics. Love the leaf colour just stunning.
Cheers
Kirky
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Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Post by Pearcy001 »

Thanks Kirky,

This one has a nice even root spread. It doesn't look like much for the moment, but should be a nice little mame/shohin Winter tree in a few years time, that I can enjoy for its foliage when in leaf. I didn't get a chance to repot before it leafed out as other trees were priority, so I'll just let it grow free until next winter when dormant.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Last edited by Pearcy001 on September 15th, 2016, 3:47 pm, edited 5 times in total.
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Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Post by Pearcy001 »

Flowers are beginning to open up on this one. They really do look good close up, I had to share.

Image

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Post by KIRKY »

Gorgeous flowers Pearcy. Thanks for sharing. What style have you decided for this one?
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Kirky
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Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Post by boom64 »

Hi Pearcy ,
Looks like a great species to work with. Good luck. Yet another one to get a hold of. Cheers John
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Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Post by Pearcy001 »

Hi Kirky,

Still no Style as yet. I'm letting it thicken as much as possible right now. I may go out sometime this week and double check the growth isn't ruining any possible taper etc. Once Winter comes around and it goes deciduous I'll stand back and reassess it properly.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Last edited by Pearcy001 on November 15th, 2016, 3:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Post by Pearcy001 »

This one is still just a plant in a pot' and currently in no way a bonsai.

Just thought I'd share a photo of the colour it goes in Autumn.

For some reason my microclimate results in all species except this one dropping their leaves before I get to see the colour (well see it properly before it looks all ratty). It would be great to see this species in an area that gets much cooler at night than inner Melbourne.

This species seems to get a great range of colours all at one time from vibrant green to purple, yellow, red.

Cheers,
Pearcy.Image

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Last edited by Pearcy001 on May 27th, 2017, 5:32 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Post by melbrackstone »

That plant seems to want to offer something for every season! What a keeper!
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Pearcy001
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Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Post by Pearcy001 »

melbrackstone wrote:That plant seems to want to offer something for every season! What a keeper!
You sure are right about that Mel!

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