An insightful interview with Chris Baker, curator of bonsai at CBG
While I relish experience all types of plants at the botanic garden I visit , I have always been entranced by sensational bonsai specimen and actively look for out bonsai collections whenever I can . Bonsai keep on to gain popularity in North America , and boom collections can be found in institutions across the United States .
spring up up in the Chicago suburbs , I lovingly remember frequent visits to theChicago Botanic Gardenin Glencoe , Illinois . As I ’ve never lived more than two hr from the Windy City , these sojourn have continued regularly over the last 40 eld and often include a looking at their masterfulbonsai collection .
To gain some brainstorm on the BASIC of bonsai , I fit with Chris Baker , curator of bonsai at the Chicago Botanic Garden ( CBG ) . He leave some grand information about bonsai , draw the beautiful collection at the garden , and talk over the goals this collection purpose to reach .
How long has CBG featured bonsai specimens?
In 1978 , the collecting started as a small display on a bench structure in the east court of the Education Center . That collection was removed when the court were redesigned in 1994 . In 1995 , the Botanic Garden Committee of the board of directors approved the east court being used as a video display orbit again . At that metre , between 10 to 15 trees were show at any give moment during the display time of year . Both courtyards were renovated again in 2006 , and the bonsai can now be seen on both side . Since the blank space has repeat , 32 trees can be exhibit to the public .
How many specimens do you currently curate?
There are about 260 trees in the appeal , with around 125 see show quality . We currently have over 160 different taxa . Some of our bonsai are imports from Japan , but many others feature North American tree species .
What are some of your favorite plants for utilizing in bonsai, considering your Midwest location?
There are many great metal money that can be used as bonsai specimens , and we try out to utilize North American metal money whenever we can . Some of those include ponderosa pine ( Pinusponderosa , Zones 3–7 ) , Jack true pine ( P. banksiana , Zones 2–6 ) , bald cypress ( Taxodiumdistichum , Zones 4–9 ) , eastern larch ( Larixlaricina , Zones 2–5 ) , American hornbeam ( genus Carpinus caroliniana , Zones 3–9 ) , and eastern white cedar ( Thujaoccidentalis , Zones 3–7 ) .
What three tips would you give beginners interested in bonsai?
Getting into bonsai is like exploring any other pattern of gardening , and the basic principle are much the same . Before you may get to function pruning and training a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to your will , you must take the species that is right for your location and needs .
One : acknowledge your environs . How much sun do you have ? How much ghost do you have ? How often can you irrigate ? This will tell you what metal money will work better for your bonsai .
Two : Do your enquiry . inquiry detail on specific species : what do they need regarding clean , water , heat , shade , feeding , and so on ? retrieve the coinage that matches or hail as close-fitting to the conditions you may provide .
Three : Master one or two specie at a time . Do n’t get several different Tree that all have different requirements ( i.e. , tropical , deciduous , pine , evergreen ) . Like any other accumulation of plant , mastering the immensely different need of various mintage will take time . Do n’t sweep over yourself with too much to determine too too soon on .
How do you see the CBG bonsai collection developing in the future in terms of presence and display at the garden?
It is always my finish to make the bonsai as relevant as possible when it comes to the garden as a whole . Being ask in yearly themes , offer showing time , and hosting events are some way of life I essay to do that .
Visitchicagobotanic.org/ChrisBakerfor more entropy on Chris and the collection
Information regarding Chicago Botanic Garden can be found on their website : chicagobotanic.org
line up more information on bonsai :
And for more Midwest regional reports , click here .
Mark Dwyer is the garden director for the Edgerton Hospital Healing Garden in Edgerton , Wisconsin , and he operate Landscape Prescriptions by MD .
Photos : Mark Dwyer
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In some of the bonsai specimens at Chicago Botanic Garden you will clearly see the influence of Chinesepenjing, which is the depiction of natural landscapes in miniature form. Above, a Sargent’s Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensisvar.sargentii, Zones 4–9) is being grown in the raft (ikadabuki) style, which mimics the natural phenomenon of new trunks growing from a fallen tree.
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What started as a humble collection has grown into a diverse display of trees and forms. Left: Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparisobtusa, Zones 4–8), right: Limber pine (Pinusflexilis, Zones 4–7).
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One of the most common landscape shrubs gets a whole new look in the CBG bonsai collection. Here, a hybrid yew (Taxus×media, Zones 4–7) proves it can be just as aesthetic as it is functional.
The ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa, Zones 3–7) is the dominant pine tree in the western United States, found in mountainous areas from British Columbia to Mexico, and east to North Dakota and Texas.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, bald cypress (Taxodiumdistichum, Zones 4–9) is native to the swamps of the southern United States but can be found in coastal areas as far north as southern Missouri.
Pick your poison. Are you more likely to have success with a tropical species like natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa, Zones 9–10), or a cool-climate evergreen like Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora, Zones 4–7)?
