BONSAI BONANZA AT THE MORTON ARBORETUM
BONSAI BONANZA AT THE MORTON ARBORETUM
Learn About Bonsai from Masters and Sculpt Your Own Tree
LISLE, IL (June 7, 2011) – Come to the Arboretum for a weekend of everything Bonsai! Gardening enthusiasts will love what the Prairie State Bonsai Society (PSBS) has in store this exciting weekend. Demonstrations and workshops take place July 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
During “The Art of Bonsai” weekend, PSBS members will transform the Visitor Center into a Bonsai oasis. Take in the intricate displays of these botanical beauties while casting votes for your favorites. Members of the PSBS will float around to chat with curious visitors and answer any questions.
Be sure not to miss the live Bonsai demonstration held at 2 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday, in the Visitor Center. A Bonsai expert shows guests how sculpting and wiring creates the perfect Bonsai tree.
Guests can also visit the patio where the stunning Bonsais are ready for purchase. For those who can’t wait to get their hands dirty, workshops are available for all ages and experience levels. Saturday’s lineup includes “Banyan Ficus,” “Dawn Redwood,” and “Korean Boxwood.”
“Banyan Ficus” teaches tween and young teens the art of bonsai. They’ll learn how to style and shape this tropical plant and take home their finished tree. Costs $28 plus a $15 materials fee (discounts for Arboretum members).
“Dawn Redwood” shows students how to care for the majestic deciduous conifer. Students work with a field–grown tree potted in a 3-gallon nursery container as they learn styling, wiring techniques and after care. Costs $48 plus a $40 materials fee (discounts for Arboretum members).
“Korean Boxwood” demonstrates proper placement, scale and dimension for these easy to sculpt Bonsai. With small leaves and a great ability to handle heavy pruning, this is an excellent class for someone just starting out. Costs $48 plus a $50 materials fee (discounts for Arboretum members).
Sunday’s Bonsai workshops feature the “Jade Tree,” “Japanese Red Birch,” and “Shimpaku Juniper.”
“Jade Tree” engages older kids about the art of Bonsai. The PSBS teaches how to shape and form this popular house plant without wiring. Costs $28 plus a $15 materials fee (discounts for Arboretum members).
“Japanese Red Birch” is the perfect workshop for beginner and intermediate students. Find out why the rules are so important and how to make artisitic compromises. Students work with a field-grown tree in a 5-gallon nursery pot as they learn how to grow, style and care for this unique tree. Costs $48 plus a $40 materials fee (discounts for Arboretum members.)
“Shimpaku Juniper” instructs intermediate students about this popular tree known as “the smoke of the volcano” for its twisted trunk appearance. The Shimpaku Juniper is a powerful and hardy tree, prized in Japan for its delicate foliage. Participants learn how to shape a 1-inch caliper trunk, potted into a bonsai training pot. Costs $60 plus a $90 materials fee (discounts for Arboretum members.)
This weekend is ideal for anyone interested in Bonsai trees. Bring the family along and experience a different type of garden art. Learn from the masters about the artistry involved in sculpting one of these fine forms and take your leafy work of art home.
Classes are held at various times throughout the weekend and meet at the Research Center. Advance registration required. Register at www.mortonarb.org/education or call 630-968-0074.
The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,128 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission – the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. Central Time until sunset. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through October, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., November through February. Visit Press Room at www.mortonarb.org, or call to learn more.
Media Contacts: Allison Phelps, 630-719-5768, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it