AusBonsai

I was pleased to be asked to present one of the public sessions at this year's National Natives as Bonsai show in Canberra.
Many ausbonsi members were not able to be present so I thought I'd try an adaptation in this thread to see what you think. Even if you do not learn anything it may stimulate some valuable discussion.

Before starting I need to thank some members for their contributions.
Pup for photos of some of his excellent native bonsai.
Melaquin for a progression series of one of her trees that was on display at the show.
Fly for photos of natural red gums around Melbourne.

This presentation consists of 3 parts:
1. Native plants that could make good bonsai
2. Designing/ Styling native bonsai
3. Some examples of native bonsai from around Australia

The presentation is designed to be interactive so please feel free to get involved as we go along.
Due to time constraints and internet access issues at my end this thread may take a little time to unfold. Hoping the 'instant' people can cope with my more relaxed timeframe.

Wow - what a great idea - I am really looking forward to this - thanks!

With little hard info on how native plants respond to bonsai culture I began thinking of ways to categorise trees used for bonsai in order to try to pick plants that will respond well to bonsai culture.
Looking at the home of bonsai as a reference it occurred to me there are 2 distinct categories of bonsai:
ICONIC TREES:
In Japan these would be:
Japanese Black Pine - Associated with the mountains, revered for longevity and hardiness. Used for bonsai and garden trees. Japanese Maple - In japanese Momiji or mountain maple. A native of Japan famous for its autumn colour.
Cherry - Beautiful spring flowers. Associated with spring cherry blossom festivals.

EASY TO GROW TREES:
Again in Japanese bonsai some examples would be:
Trident maple - Develops quickly, hardy and responds to pruning very well.
Chinese elm - Responds really well to pruning, easy to propagate, small leaves.
Juniper - Hardy to extreme weather, neat foliage.


Applying these ideas to Australian Bonsai we can look for the Iconic Aussies.
Over to you to suggest 3 ICONIC Australian plants. nb The audience at Canberra picked the same 3 I had. They were also clever enough to get them in the same order I had the slides!


More soon

Melaleucas , as this species grows in all the required areas. With all the reqirements you asked for. Babingtonia, Leptospermum.


These are my of the top of my head, but in all honesty I would find it very hard to find an Australian Plant not worthy of trying with a few exceptions.

Cheers Pup

Edit after re reading the word Iconic I would have to say. Gum tree's Banksia and Paperbark ( Melaleuca ) I do not mind getting marked down though

Hi Neil good topic! eucs, cassa's and banksia.

Great idea Shibui

As I am new to Aus natives as bonsai I am in no position to comment on a top three but will be paying close attention.

Andrew

All good proposals so far but just forget bonsai for a moment. Just think Aussie Icons. What trees represent Australia to most (regular) people? Think national flower, national days, aussie colours, australian landscape paintings, etc.
2 of the 3 I picked have been suggested so far.
Andrew you do not need to be an experienced grower to get involved. Have a guess.

Melaleuca, Wattle and Gums

Eucalypts, Wattles and Paperbark ? You beat me Andrew - wonder if we are right

Great thread!

1. Wattle

2. Eucs

3. Banksia serrata



Purely for your iconic request. If you were to ask most commonly used at the moment I would say

1. Ficus rubiginosa

2. Banksia serrata

3. Allocasuarina torulosa

but you didn't ask that, so I should be quiet...

three iconic trees that i would look at are the melaleuca, euculyptus (river red gum) and thirdly i would think the wattle.

great idea mate, this is like an online workshop, it will be my first workshop ever attended

jamie

A great idea for me it would be, Melaleuca, Figs and Coastal tee trees.

Melaleucas, callistimons, ficus, tea trees. Looking forward to reading this thread.

This sounds intresting!
I would probably say Eucalyptus, Melaleuca and Callistemon. I agree with Wattle but before I started Bonsai I don't think I would of thought of the Acacia as a great Australian tree. Maybe a shrub So although the Wattle may be an Iconic when I go by the question

Just think Aussie Icons. What trees represent Australia to most (regular) people? Think national flower, national days, aussie colours, australian landscape paintings, etc.

I imagine Eucalyptus, Melaleuca and Callistemon are what I thought where Iconic Australian Natives.

Are we discussing iconic native trees generally or iconic natives suitable for bonsai ? the reason I ask is a lot of people have mentioned acacia and yet they are not often seen in a bonsai pot.
My pick for iconic native bonsai would be banksia, cassuarina and leptospermum.
A list of iconic native trees not bonsai would be different, Eucalyptus, acacia,warratah
Craig