This tree, or more correctly shrub, is Callistemon viminalis “Captain Cook”. This particular variety of Callistemon was widely promoted to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Captain James Cook “discovering” Australia in 1770. It was, and remains a very popular garden shrub today as it has a dwarf habit only growing to a maximum of 2 metres high and about the same wide. It responds well to pruning and will bud back on old wood as long as the growing conditions are favourable.

This bonsai was purchased by me at an auction just so I could practise bonsai techniques on Australian native trees.

As purchased 1 November 2009

Over the following years it was pruned, wired, re-potted, fertilized and generally given every standard bonsai technique. And it responded with improved size, style, health and foliage mass.

The trees progression was such that I decided it needed a pot more in keeping with its progress and so the decision was made that an Australian made one off pot was the best pick for this tree. I was lucky enough to have a few pots to choose from but in the end a pot by Mudlark Pottery was chosen because the size was appropriate for the continued development of this tree and the colour scheme was in keeping with the tree.

Now in its new pot.

Many more years of work is needed to take this bonsai to a better level, but it has been a fun journey and I have learnt a lot, and for that I thank this tree.