Rosemary has a reputation as being a difficult bonsai subject as it is reportedly susceptible to failure after root pruning and/or re-potting. It is however very beautiful and ruggered looking and has the added advantage of producing aromatic flowers.

There have been a few excellent examples of the species from Europe and I hope that this particular bonsai will continue to develop and flourish over many years to come.

Its story:- it was dug from an old commerical premises in October 2009 before the site was to be redeveloped, and was only dug so I could get to a juniper that I thought had some promise. The rosemary was put into a large plastic pot and put “up the back” so I could concentrate on developing the juniper. As luck would have it the juniper eventually died which I was very sad about and the rosemary then became the plant of choice from that dig. Over time the top section of the plant died back and I was left with just the lower section.

In 2013 a competition was arranged by Ausbonsai and I thought that this plant was the perfect subject for a contest that was focused on developing a shohin bonsai in a period of only 18 months. The object was to start with a “blank canvas” and over the period of the competition develop a shohin bonsai.

Although this bonsai did not win any prizes I was pleased with the result and the level of improvement.

The bonsai in September 2014

When dug in 2009

Start of the competition in March 2013

A good trim – September 2013

First bonsai pot November 2013

A close-up – September 2014

From September 2013 to September 2014 there has been a major improvement and that is pleasing. Over the coming years I intend to continue the refinement of the foliage pad and to develop the jin and shari.

In the next couple of years I will find and or buy a new (and smaller) pot and re-pot this bonsai and hopefully it will be around for many years to come.