Accents from what

[Pup]

I have noticed that not too many displays/ exhibitions have accents with there tree's. Which seems to be a pity, because it does set off a tree when it is displayed on a stand and has an accent, to show the scene the owner is trying to create.

They are not hard to come by either. We all know what grows with most vigor, around our plants.
So why not utalise them. There is a plethora of small pots around with colours and shapes, that you would not put tree's in, but lend themselves to Accents or Kusamono.

Here are a few of mine not all are known except for that word weed.

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As you can see it is not hard to grow them. So how about we start showing them with our tree's.

[MelaQuin]

Oh I know they are lovely.... but they can escape so easily and god knows I have enough weeds in my small garden already.

[gollum]

nice job ...and pics
I see you have quite an interest in these "weeds"
most people just mow or spray them without a thought

I might try a weed with nice blue flowers
I don't know what is is but its everywhere

[Matthew]

Pup,

Since im heading to a cooler climate in 2 weeks i was wondering if you could give some species on good accent plants (if you know names) i ahve blood grass and begonia but thats about it up here. i really like your settings especailly the quaking grass? . I have invested in alot of Erin and Tony Reminton accent pots over a few years and now get a chance to use them

[Pup]

Noah unfortunately the only names I know are those I have used. There are two good books on the subject though,one by Kyuso Murata,
called the four seasons of Bonsai, ISBN4-7700-2120-8.
The other is Bonsai Kusamono Suiseki A Practical Guide for Organising Displays with Plants and Stones by Willi Benz-ISBN 3-00-009322-2.

I have found both of these books very helpful, in that they give lots of examples of what can be used. Also they do name what is what so it is easy to get some ideas.

I do hope this is of help Cheers Pup

[Matthew]

Noah unfortunately the only names I know are those I have used. There are two good books on the subject though,one by Kyuso Murata,
called the four seasons of Bonsai, ISBN4-7700-2120-8.
The other is Bonsai Kusamono Suiseki A Practical Guide for Organising Displays with Plants and Stones by Willi Benz-ISBN 3-00-009322-2.

I have found both of these books very helpful, in that they give lots of examples of what can be used. Also they do name what is what so it is easy to get some ideas.

I do hope this is of help Cheers Pup

cheers
mate ill check them out again lovely displays

[shibui]

Quaking grass is Briza major. It is naturalised all along the roadsides around here. There is also Briza minor with smaller seed heads.
Rhodohypoxis bauerii is a bulb that multiplies prolifically in pots but does not seem to do well in the garden. It comes in a number of shades from red to white.
Trigger plants are Stylidium species. We have 3 or 4 in the east, all perennials I think, but WA has lots of species, some annuals, some perennials.
One of pups 'dandelions' is flatweed, the other looks like sow thistle. Neither are really dandelion but I'm with Melaquin on all 3 of these - There's already enough seed blowing in the wind without me growing some more.
I've been growing Wallaby grass, a native Austrodanthonia as accent pots. really tough but doesn't really thrive in small pots so far.
Some of the native lilies thrive in the bonsai pots when they self seed - chocolate lily and vanilla lily have become a bit of a pest here. Trouble is their flower stems are a bit tall at about 1m thought the purple flowers are really nice.

[Akamatsu]

Hi everyone,

It seems that Kusamono (accent plants) are rather absent from discussion on the forum, so I thought I would give this thread a push along.
I cannot stress more the importance of Kusamono in Bonsai display particularly in exhibition. In fact it is an art form in its own right, and very popular in Japan. I spend almost as much time creating Kusamono as I do Bonsai. Just another form of expression of the joys of nature and the seasons I guess! Unlike floral arts like Ikebana, Kusamono are perennial and may persist intact for decades. I have some Kusamono which are almost 20 years old and never been repotted!

Here is one of my favourites.

[bonsaibruce]

Greetings,
Accent plants, another good reason to activly involved with a hands on bonsai club. I learnt a lot helping to set-up our annual display.
It's on again, the weekend of 17 April 2011, at Mt Coot tha, Brisbane. I'll give you a free cup of tea if you ask.
Hope the rain and flowing water has not been unkind to you and yours,
Happy bonsai,
Bruce

[Emoska]

I absolutely love accent plants, and have been toying around with the idea of using 'nice' weeds for some time, due to their hardiness in coping with limited space and soil.

I had some trouble with the soil drying out very often... literally rock hard with such a small amount. I use an organic blend which I use for all my bonsai. Anyone have any ideas for how to improve the soil issue for accents?

[Pup]

I absolutely love accent plants, and have been toying around with the idea of using 'nice' weeds for some time, due to their hardiness in coping with limited space and soil.

I had some trouble with the soil drying out very often... literally rock hard with such a small amount. I use an organic blend which I use for all my bonsai. Anyone have any ideas for how to improve the soil issue for accents?

I use the same soil for mine, as I do for my Bonsai. Cheers Pup

[Glenda]

Isn't taste a funny thing? While accent plants in themselves are lovely, it is my humble opinion that they make bonsai look smaller, and detract from the bonsai itself.

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In this photo, the lovely tree on the right looks powerful, large and old if you cover over the accent plant. But the presence of the accent plant immediately gives the size of the tree reference, and makes it look much smaller. This is just my opinion for what it is worth.

Glenda

[Gerard]

Great discussion topic,
I like accents but do not understand what is appropriate. I have heard it suggested that accents should be present in the natural environment of the tree and that many combinations of tree and accent are not appropriate. (Australian natives with non Australian accents etc.)
It is this idea which has prevented me from making any attempt to create such a planting....I just do not understand.

[Jarrod]

Isn't taste a funny thing? While accent plants in themselves are lovely, it is my humble opinion that they make bonsai look smaller, and detract from the bonsai itself.

Accent.jpg

In this photo, the lovely tree on the right looks powerful, large and old if you cover over the accent plant. But the presence of the accent plant immediately gives the size of the tree reference, and makes it look much smaller. This is just my opinion for what it is worth.

Glenda

I think the isseue with this display s that it is too cramped, and this gives our eye to much oportunity to see the whole composition and make decisions about certain elements. JMHO

[Glenda]

Isn't taste a funny thing? While accent plants in themselves are lovely, it is my humble opinion that they make bonsai look smaller, and detract from the bonsai itself.

Accent.jpg

In this photo, the lovely tree on the right looks powerful, large and old if you cover over the accent plant. But the presence of the accent plant immediately gives the size of the tree reference, and makes it look much smaller. This is just my opinion for what it is worth.

Glenda

I think the isseue with this display s that it is too cramped, and this gives our eye to much oportunity to see the whole composition and make decisions about certain elements. JMHO

In this instance I agree with you Jarred. However I still think it applies to every display I have seen. It is just how I feel and I do not expect anyone to agree.

Glenda