AusBonsai

What do you think about using different species in a group or saiki?

That looks a bit of a hotch potch to me Don

Its the 2 in the middle they look wrong

the maple on the left looks ok but i would prefer to see it kept along the colour lines of similar types

The planting was an old experiment, which has been taken to pieces since 2001. I've still got the rock. I wanted to start a discussion. That pot is now holding the Larch group.

I've tried to do mixed planting groups on several occasions, none really looked any good. (Mind you, I'm strictly a beginner) and I didn't have any quality trees to play with... I have seen pictures of mixed groups that look good, usually 2 types of trees, some sort of conifer, and a decidious clump, done as 2 clumps... I've seen good (Well in my opinion) sakai with mixed trees, or possible they would have counted as one sort of tree with accent planting. I like the thought, but to date have not suceeded.

Hey Stymie,

Reminds me of a Polynesian Island....makes me want to pack my bags and hop the next flight?

Mixing different types of species by "rule" is a no no. So if you play by the rules there's your answer. However I have seen two different species mixed in a landscape and it was pulled off quite well in my humble opinion. I think if you pull a few and go with just a couple of species it will help the image...seems a bit busy right now.

Mixing trees can be done in a seikei but not trees that are so dominant in their own rights, ie junipers and maples. The scale is too small to achieve the feeling of mountain and plain. You could have the junipers atop and at the base of the rock and then a small 'snuggle' of saotome azaleas or another small leaf low growing plant to simulate the flatter, lower land. But even judicious pruning will not keep those maples [yes, planted like a group of palms] in scale. I can't see this as being successful but it has been successful as a learning curve for yourself and others so therein lies a plus.

the 2 Pom pom maples in the front spoil it. Remove them and replace with a low Rhododendron then it would be real nice

this sort of display is meant to show the graduation between Hi mountain plants like Evergreen pines, and the valley native deciduous trees.