Bonsai

Each miniature apple is up to 2⁄5 in (1 cm) across, about one-fifth the size of a regular crab apple.

grows just 2 in

(5 cm) tall.

Dense growth on top makes this a favorite among bonsai lovers.

Bright red berries cover female trees throughout the winter.

These funnel-shaped flowers can range from under 4⁄5 in (2 cm) to 6 3⁄4 in (17 cm) across.

This 18th-century Japanese print shows women examining a plant seller’s bonsai.

Showers of purple flowers make wisteria a popular bonsai vine.

The word “bonsai” means “planted in a container” and is the Asian art of growing miniature trees. The small pot helps restrict growth, while the branches are skillfully pruned to keep the plant small and mimic the natural shape of the full-size tree. Although they usually reach a height of only 5–10 in (13–25 cm), bonsai trees bear flowers and fruit. Some species, such as the Japanese wisteria and satsuki azalea, are particularly popular for their beautiful displays of flowers, while others, including crab apples and dwarf pomegranates, produce tiny fruits. Bonsai

Special scissors are used to trim bonsai branches in order to make an attractive tree shape, while preventing the trees from growing too quickly.

Dramatic shapes are created by pruning or twisting branches around wires, which are later removed.

Fall leaves make a colorful display popular with bonsai enthusiasts.

Pink, white, red, or purple blossoms usually bloom in May, which is called “satsuki” in Japanese—giving this tree its name.

requires careful pruning of the shoots and roots, and it takes skill not to kill the trees in the process. The Chinese elm bonsai is more likely to survive mistakes made by beginners. One Chinese juniper in Japan has been proven to be about 1,000 years

Rocks are often used to create dramatic bonsai designs.

The branches and trunk of this bonsai have been trained to give it a windswept look.

old, with centuries of careful pruning and shaping by bonsai masters. With enough time and care, a bonsai tree can become extremely valuable. The most expensive bonsai ever sold was in 2011. It had a price tag of 100,000,000 Japanese yen, equivalent to around $1.3 million (£840,000).