AusBonsai

Hi all,

If I were to go to the USA/Canada what are the best public collections that are must see?

Washington, Toronto, Seattle, etc.

Grant

I was just recently in Canada and they have an abundance of wonderful collectible material in the mountains. Mainly Spruce Pines etc. Try as i might in the area i was in (B.C) i did not discover a nursery let alone a public display. I know that Washington does though.

I have been to the national collection in Washington and its well worth a visit
Craigw

Grant, I have never been and can't comment on what is best, but thought this may help: the BCI website has information on public exhibits.
Canada: http://www.bonsai-bci.com/exhibits.htm#anchor2051777
USA: http://www.bonsai-bci.com/exhibits.htm#anchor2070706
Jamie

jamo wrote:Grant, I have never been and can't comment on what is best, but thought this may help: the BCI website has information on public exhibits.
Canada: http://www.bonsai-bci.com/exhibits.htm#anchor2051777
USA: http://www.bonsai-bci.com/exhibits.htm#anchor2070706
Jamie

Thank you very much for the link.

Has anyone seen any of the US collections other than Washington? I saw it in 1979 and would like to go back!

Grant

Hi Grant,

Whilst I was in San Francisco recently Boon took us to the GSBF north collection. The facility and setup of collection itself was very good, to my knowledge all of the trees/pots were donated by either GSBF members or member clubs. When entering you got given a lamenated sheet with info about each tree on display. I think the trees were maintained by volunteers only, although there may have been two people paid, Kathy Shaner and a guy that I cannot remember his name.

Most of the trees were really spectacular and had a a heap of history behind them.

However, some of the trees were not getting the love that they deserved. There was quite a number of really old collected utah/california/sierra junipers that were spectacular but had a number of low branches that had died or were on there way out! This part of the collection was very sad

I also went to the Washington collection 3 years ago and was blown away! I think that it might have some government funding and I was amazed!!! The setup there was outstanding! I dont remember there being the awesome collected junipers there though but there was certainly some nice imported JWP, JBP and a really nice foemina group...called "Gosh...something"

I would recommend both.

Scott Roxburgh wrote: I also went to the Washington collection 3 years ago and was blown away! I think that it might have some government funding and I was amazed!!! The setup there was outstanding! I dont remember there being the awesome collected junipers there though but there was certainly some nice imported JWP, JBP and a really nice foemina group...called "Gosh...something"
I would recommend both.

That would be John Naka's Group. Grant, you didn't mention going there, but I believe the is a nice collection in Hawaii on the big Island as well.

By the way, do you need someone to carry your camerra bag or anything?

Graeme wrote:

Scott Roxburgh wrote: I also went to the Washington collection 3 years ago and was blown away! I think that it might have some government funding and I was amazed!!! The setup there was outstanding! I dont remember there being the awesome collected junipers there though but there was certainly some nice imported JWP, JBP and a really nice foemina group...called "Gosh...something"
I would recommend both.

That would be John Naka's Group. Grant, you didn't mention going there, but I believe the is a nice collection in Hawaii on the big Island as well.

By the way, do you need someone to carry your camerra bag or anything?

My wife and I are thinking of going on hols next year in Hawaii so I was wondering about going to the rest of the USA after wards.

Could be dangerous carrying our cameras as she is a volcano enthusiast!

Grant

Hi Grant, The old BonsaiTalk Wiki was a wealth of info

it staill available and has both a list of US nurseries, and Displays

I do not knwo how current they are, but will give a starting point to use

US national Collection
http://www.bonsai-nbf.org/site/index.html

North Carolina Aroretum
http://67.23.15.90/exhibits/outdoors/ga ... ns/bonsai/

List of US Gasrdens here http://wiki.bonsaitalk.com/index.php/US ... s_by_State
List of US Bonsai Nurseries http://wiki.bonsaitalk.com/index.php/US ... _Nurseries

Hope these help
Ken