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Bonsai

You will find the most extensive collection of Bonsai in the Chicago area at the Gethsemane Greenhouse. Ideal for plant lovers with an attention to detail, and not as challenging as their reputation would have you believe, even beginners can have success growing Bonsai.

While Bonsai’s originated in China and later gained great popularity in Japan, it wasn’t until the mid-19th century, after more than 230 years of global isolation; Japan opened itself up to the rest of the world. Word soon spread from travelers who visited Japan of the miniature trees in ceramic containers which mimicked aged, mature, tall trees in nature. Further exhibitions in London, Vienna and Paris in the latter part of the century - especially the Paris World Exhibition in 1900 opened the world's eyes up to bonsai.

In Japanese, bonsai can be literally translated as 'tray planting' but since originating in Asia, so many centuries ago - it has developed into a whole new form. To begin with, the tree and the pot form a single harmonious unit where the shape, texture and color of one, compliments the other. Then the tree must be shaped. It is not enough just to plant a tree in a pot and allow nature to take its course - the result would look nothing like a tree and would look very short-lived. Every branch and twig of a bonsai is shaped or eliminated until the chosen image is achieved. From then on, the image is maintained and improved by a constant regime of pruning and trimming.

In the Greenhouse you will find an amazing variety and selection of Bonsai plants, as well as the tools necessary to prune and maintain the Bonsai’s shape, knob cutters, concave cutters, rakes & brushes.