November 2010 – Page 2 – Chinese Bonsai Garden

Calamondin Orange Bonsai Tree

Calamondin Orange Bonsai Tree, scientific name Citrus mitis, is native to southern China is one of the most popular fruited bonsai trees.

It produces brilliantly fragrant white flowers that are followed by miniature, flavorful oranges over the course of a year. Oranges don’t get bigger than a golf ball but are still eatable.

The little oranges are often collected and used for marmalade or other baking.

This bonsai makes a great holiday or special occasion gift. My friends absolutely loved it when I gave it to them at their housewarming party.

Brush Cherry Bonsai Tree, scientific name Eugenia myrtifolia or Syzygium paniculatum, is native to tropical rain forests of Australia’s east coast. It produces very pretty, showy white flowers that are followed by beautiful red berries.

Additional Information

Family: Myrtaceae

Botanical name: Eugenia myrtifolia or Syzygium paniculatum

Fukien Tea Bonsai Tree, scientific name Carmona microphylla or Ehretia microphylla, is native to Southern China and other parts of Southeast Asia. It is a tropical tree which was once referred to as Carmona.

It can be grown outdoors if you live in a warm climate but needs to be protected from cold temperatures. It is a very popular indoor bonsai due to its ability to adapt to indoor conditions.

Additional Information

Family: Boraginaceae

Botanical name: Carmona microphylla or Ehretia microphylla

Common Names: Fukien Tea

Origin: Southern China and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Japanese Kingsville Boxwood Bonsai Tree, botanical name Buxus microphylla, is native to Japan and Taiwan.

Other species of the Buxus family are native to western and southern Europe, southwest, southern and eastern Asia, Africa, Madagascar, northernmost South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.

With over 70 species in the Buxus family, there is a tree to suit everyone. Buxus microphylla is a branched evergreen shrub that can grow in shade or full sun. It has naturally small leaves that are great for making a bonsai.

Willow Leaf Ficus Bonsai Tree, botanical name Ficus nerifolia or Ficus salicifolia, is one of the most popular indoor bonsai tees.

Willow Leaf Ficus Bonsai Tree has a brown-gray trunk topped with green, narrow, pointed leaves.

It is possible to reduce leaf size through total defoliation of the tree during spring month. This will promote smaller leaves and denser growth. It requires moderate amount of water.

Ficus Bonsai Tree is a very common houseplant. With over 800 species and 2,000 varieties of ficus, everyone can find the right tree for their bonsai. One of my favorite varieties of ficus is a dwarf ficus also known as Ficus benjamina.

If you are a beginner, ficus benjamina is one of the best choices. It is very forgiving, easily adapts to varieties of conditions, has naturally small leaves and strong roots, making bonsai training much easier.

Ficus Benjamina is also commonly known as Weeping Fig, Benjamina Fig, Benjamin’s Fig, Dwarf Ficus Tree, Java Fig, or just Ficus Tree.

Ficus Bonsai Tree is native to south and southeast Asia and Australia. Like most tropical plants, Ficus Bonsai likes warm and humid weather and needs to be protected from freezing temperatures.

It can be grown outside if you live in a tropical or sub-tropical climates. If you live in the area where temperatures drop below 60 degrees, it is best to keep your ficus bonsai indoors.

Jade Bonsai Tree, botanical name Portulacaria afra, is one of the most popular bonsai trees. Because it is very adaptive to different environments, drought tolerant and easy to style, it is considered to be the best plant for the beginners.

Advanced bonsai enthusiasts also like it because it is very easy to style.

In natural environment can reach height of 2 meters or more. However, if grown as a bonsai tree in a small container, it grows only to about 7 inches.

This evergreen is native to Southern Africa where it is often consumed by elephants, hence the common names Elephant’s Food, Elephant Bush, Elephant Grass, and Elephant-Plant. It has a think trunk topped with dense elliptic leaves.

Bald Cypress Bonsai Tree, botanical name Taxodium Distichum, is a great bonsai for beginner who is just getting started in the hobby. It is inexpensive and very easy to grow.

Bald Cypress can be found in many swampy areas of Florida and Louisiana. It grows up to 100 – 150 ft tall and can live well over 1,000 years.

Despite the fact that most of the species from this family don not loose their leaves in winter bald cypress does, hence the name “Bald Cypress”.