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Spiraea as Bonsai?

Posted: September 14th, 2016, 9:37 pm
by Pearcy001
Hello everybody,

I recently purchased this Spiraea japonica 'Goldflame' from the bargain bin at the big green shed for $3.

For those that don't know it appears to be a small deciduous clump style shrub. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with them as Bonsai, as they have a beautiful golden colour when in leaf. I believe they also have pink flowers in summer? :reading:

I forgot to take a photo of it 'naked' when I got it, but here is a photo of it in Leaf now. The new foliage emerges with a red tinge turning this golden colour. (You can see the red on the opening leaves at the base of the tree).

Image

If anyone has tried them as Bonsai I'd love for you to post a photo here. Likewise if they were a fail let us all know why.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Posted: September 14th, 2016, 9:48 pm
by Pearcy001
FYI - From a quick Google search these appear to be the flowers that I speak of for anyone interested.

Image

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Posted: September 15th, 2016, 8:02 am
by KIRKY
Hi Pearcy,
I don't personally own one. They are succesful bonsai, Google Spiraea japonica Bonsai lots of pics. Love the leaf colour just stunning.
Cheers
Kirky

Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Posted: September 15th, 2016, 3:32 pm
by Pearcy001
Thanks Kirky,

This one has a nice even root spread. It doesn't look like much for the moment, but should be a nice little mame/shohin Winter tree in a few years time, that I can enjoy for its foliage when in leaf. I didn't get a chance to repot before it leafed out as other trees were priority, so I'll just let it grow free until next winter when dormant.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Posted: November 15th, 2016, 8:05 am
by Pearcy001
Flowers are beginning to open up on this one. They really do look good close up, I had to share.

Image

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Posted: November 15th, 2016, 9:05 am
by KIRKY
Gorgeous flowers Pearcy. Thanks for sharing. What style have you decided for this one?
Cheers
Kirky

Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Posted: November 15th, 2016, 9:20 am
by boom64
Hi Pearcy ,
Looks like a great species to work with. Good luck. Yet another one to get a hold of. Cheers John

Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Posted: November 15th, 2016, 3:25 pm
by Pearcy001
Hi Kirky,

Still no Style as yet. I'm letting it thicken as much as possible right now. I may go out sometime this week and double check the growth isn't ruining any possible taper etc. Once Winter comes around and it goes deciduous I'll stand back and reassess it properly.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Posted: May 27th, 2017, 3:32 pm
by Pearcy001
This one is still just a plant in a pot' and currently in no way a bonsai.

Just thought I'd share a photo of the colour it goes in Autumn.

For some reason my microclimate results in all species except this one dropping their leaves before I get to see the colour (well see it properly before it looks all ratty). It would be great to see this species in an area that gets much cooler at night than inner Melbourne.

This species seems to get a great range of colours all at one time from vibrant green to purple, yellow, red.

Cheers,
Pearcy.Image

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Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Posted: May 27th, 2017, 4:29 pm
by melbrackstone
That plant seems to want to offer something for every season! What a keeper!

Re: Spiraea as Bonsai?

Posted: May 27th, 2017, 4:51 pm
by Pearcy001
melbrackstone wrote:That plant seems to want to offer something for every season! What a keeper!
You sure are right about that Mel!

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