Experienced grower's notes on Cherry Blossom Bonsai

I've been growing plants seriously for over fifteen years and Cherry Blossom Bonsai remains a reliable favourite. For anyone starting out: the most critical thing is styling with the front and viewing angle in mind from day one. Everything else follows from that.

over-wiring causing wire bite scarring on branches is the challenge that trips up most beginners and some experienced growers too. I've been growing mine in a Japanese-inspired garden display with gravel and stone for three seasons now and the results are consistently good. living art form that reflects decades of patient cultivation is what makes it worth coming back to year after year. repotting temperate species in early spring before buds break is when I show it off — it earns its place fully then.