Species Guide

Evergreen conifer. Dark green needlelike leaves, cylindrical cones.

Small, slow-growing evergreen conifer. Dark green leaves. Purple cones even when young.

Dwarf form. Does not produce cones. Cultivation as A. koreana.

Evergreen conifer with grayish green needlelike leaves.

Form with thick corky bark and silver gray needlelike leaves.

Dwarf form of the above, with striking silvery blue-gray foliage.

Deciduous tree. Orange and red autumn color.

Subspecies with thick leathery leaves and more compact growth than the main species.

A dwarf form with a pointed apex and long, narrow, shiny leaves, which appear as if lacquered red in autumn.

Small deciduous tree with relatively coarse twig structure. Bright-yellow autumn color.

Deciduous tree. Heart-shaped leaves on red stalks turn rich yellow in autumn. Striking snakelike green and white striped bark.

Deciduous tree. Visually similar to A. buergerianum, and often grown instead of it in colder climates, due to its high tolerance of frost.

Deciduous tree. Fan-shaped leaves, normally with eleven lobes, turn bright yellow, orange, and red in autumn.

Yellow leaves, turning orange in autumn. Cultivation as A. japonicum.

Deciduous tree, a classic bonsai subject. Five-lobed leaves turn red in autumn, and bark develops silver coloring with age. There are over 250 cultivars.

Crimson spring foliage. Although this was once the most commonly commercially grown bonsai red maple, it has now been largely superseded by 'Deshojo'.

Brilliant red foliage in spring. The hardiest of the red spring colored palmatums.

Fine green leaves with seven to eleven lobes turn red in autumn.

Purple leaves turn bright orange in autumn.

Outstanding red form. Leaves are deep purple-red throughout spring and summer, becoming crimson in autumn.

Deep bluish green leaves have creamy white margins suffused with pink. Vivid rose-crimson autumn color.

Very dwarf form. Leaves appear early and are light yellow-green with a reddish margin, deepening to rich green, then turning bright yellow in autumn.

Dwarf yatsubusa form. Foliage is apricot in spring, orange and yellow in autumn.

Very small yatsubusa form. Very early. Horizontal habit with no center leader.

Very small yatsubusa form. Strongly vertical habit. One of the smallest-leaved forms.

Distinctive corky bark, which becomes very thick and impressive when the tree is still fairly young. Palmate leaves, red in autumn.

Brilliant coral pink bark, with pink twigs best appreciated in winter. Green leaves have red margins in spring.

Foliage turns orange and red in spring (when it is extremely wind sensitive), orange and red in autumn.

Yellow-green leaf with a prominent network of bright-green veins. Red autumn color.

Light green leaves subtly marked with variegations of white and pink. Some leaves are totally white or pink.

Distinctive lime green leaves, turning deep yellow and gold in autumn. Branches and twigs also bright lime green.

Evergreen. Grasslike leaves on strong, arching canes.

Dwarf species, grows up to 25cm (10in) in nature, much less in a shallow pot.

Semi-evergreen shrub. Deep green boxlike leaves with grey undersides. Yellow flowers in spring, purple fruit in autumn.

Evergreen shrub. Dark green hollylike leaves. Masses of small golden orange flowers in very early spring. Purple fruit in autumn.

Deciduous thorny shrub with red autumn color. Small yellow flowers in spring, bright red fruit in autumn.

Very hardy dwarf form with compact growth. Foliage is red-purple in spring, turning dark red in summer.

Deciduous shrub. Tiny leaves with serrated edges turn rich gold in autumn. Copper-colored trunk.

Deciduous tree. Also called European white birch. Heart-shaped leaves with gold autumn color, distinctive silver white bark.

Tender semi-evergreen climber. Oval leaves, deep red flowerlike bracts.

Form with orange flowerlike bracts.

Tender semi-evergreen climber. Oval leaves, cerise flowerlike bracts.

Form with rosy purple bracts.

Form with white bracts.

Compact evergreen shrub with small, oblong dark green leaves.

Evergreen shrub or small tree. Small dark green leaves. More generally available than B. microphylla, but almost indistinguishable.

Small, lime-hating evergreen shrub. Fine-textured foliage on woody stems, purple flowers. There are many cultivated forms with different colored foliage and flowers.

Dwarf compact heather with shell pink double flowers in summer.

Fine, mosslike foliage. Light purple flowers, which appear only rarely.

Lime-hating evergreen shrub. Shiny leaves. Pink, red, or white flowers in spring.

Lime-hating evergreen shrub. Large single or double flowers in pink or red.

Lime-hating evergreen shrub. Large single or double flowers in pink or red.

Lime-hating evergreen shrub. Small, scented white flowers appear in winter and early spring. The smallest and most compact of the camellias and therefore often used in bonsai cultivation. It requires more winter protection than other camellias.

Deciduous shrubby tree. Native to Siberia, so very tough, and tolerant of a wide range of temperatures. Common pea leaves, yellow pea-type flowers.

Semi-evergreen shrub. Glossy, oval, serrated dark green leaves on spiny branches.

Tender evergreen shrub. Small, shiny dark green leaves. White flowers followed by red fruit.

Deciduous tree. Grooved, oval leaves turn yellow in autumn. Striped, ridged gray bark.

Deciduous tree. Prominently grooved leaves, long catkins in spring.

Smallish glossy leaves, smooth trunk. Loose clusters of flowers form green fruiting 'keys' in autumn.

Very small leaves on delicate branching twigs. Foliage turns orange-red in autumn.

Deciduous tree. Large, toothed leaves, white or red flower spikes in spring.

Evergreen conifer. Needlelike leaves, gray bark, cylindrical cones.

Blue-gray foliage, pale gray bark.

Slow growing evergreen conifer. Very short, dark green needles.

Evergreen conifer. Large needles. Drooping branches and leader.

Slow-growing, long-lived evergreen conifer. Dark green leaves carried on spreading, horizontal branches.

Deciduous climber. Yellow autumn color, green fruit open to reveal golden lining and brilliant red seeds.

Small deciduous tree. Delicate twig structure. Leaves have a polished appearance. Visually similar to Zelkova serrata.

Deciduous tree. Small leaves, heart-shaped with a rounded point, turn brilliant yellow and pink in autumn. Often confused with Cercis canadensis.

Deciduous tree. Bright green heart-shaped leaves, pale pink flowers in early summer.

Deciduous tree. Small, heart-shaped leaves. Rose lilac flowers carried on bare branches in spring.

Deciduous flowering shrub. Oval leaves, brilliant red flowers on bare branches in early spring, followed by yellow fruit.

Dwarf form. Red or white flowers at intervals throughout the year.

Small semi-evergreen tree. Glossy leaves turn gold through to purple in autumn. Small pink flowers in spring, followed by fragrant yellow fruit. Attractive flaky textured bark.

Deciduous flowering shrub. Oval leaves, red flowers on bare branches in early spring, yellow fruit. Very similar to C. japonica.

White flowers in early spring. Unusual, as most other forms have pink or red flowers.

Small- to medium-sized flowering shrubs. Oval leaves. The main variation is in the flowers.

Dark red flowers with yellow anthers.

Vermilion flowers.

Semi-double orange-red flowers.

Rose pink flowers.

Evergreen conifer. Flat, fan-shaped branches, pea-size cones, and scalelike leaves edged with blue on undersides.

Slow-growing, cone-shaped dwarf form with dark green foliage.

Slow-growing, compact, dwarf form with a naturally cone-shaped habit of growth.

Evergreen conifer. Dark green, scalelike leaves with white markings, very small cones.

Soft steel blue foliage, with tinges of purple in winter.

Frondlike foliage, bright green when young. There is also a form of this with golden foliage, known as C. pisifera 'Plumosa Aurea'.

Deciduous shrub. Numerous white flowers appear in early summer. Foliage turns rich bronze and red in autumn.

Deciduous shrub or small tree. Clusters of yellow flowers appear on bare wood in early spring and are followed by red fruit. Foliage turns red in autumn.

Lime-hating deciduous shrub. Small oval leaves, pink when young. Scented yellow flowers in early spring.

Deciduous shrub. Oval leaves, bright yellow flowers in early spring.

Deciduous shrub. Large, coarse leaves make it unattractive as a bonsai in summer. Grown for its effect in winter, when its structure and twigs can be seen. Yellow 'lamb’s tails' catkins in late winter.

Deciduous shrub similar to C. avellana, but with smaller leaves.

Deciduous shrub. Smooth, rounded leaves, rich orange-red in autumn. Pale, plumelike flowers in summer give appearance of smoke.

Small, low-growing deciduous shrub. Pink flowers in early spring. Small red berries in late summer to autumn. Bright red fruit.

Small deciduous flowering shrub. More brilliant autumn tints and bolder, brighter fruit than C. adpressa.

Tiny evergreen shrub with white flowers and red fruit.

Evergreen shrub. Small leaves, fragrant white flowers, which open fully like wild roses, red fruit.

Deciduous shrub. Small, round, dark green leaves, turning red in autumn, pink flowers in spring, red fruit.

Cream and green markings. Pink and red fruit. Not so vigorous as C. horizontalis.

Evergreen shrub. Slender, pointed, glossy dark green leaves. White flowers, red fruit.

Semi-evergreen shrub. Small, leathery leaves, scarlet in autumn. Pink flowers, red fruit.

Flowering evergreen dwarf shrub. Large oval coral red fruit.

Evergreen succulent. Smooth, rounded leaves, pale pink flowers.

Dwarf evergreen succulent. Gray-green leaves, beautiful but foul-smelling pink flowers.

Deciduous tree. Small, lobed leaves, white flowers in spring, large rosehip-type fruit.

Deciduous tree. Strongly fragrant white flowers. Red fruit (haws) in autumn.

Deciduous tree. White flowers, orange-red fruit in autumn.

Scarlet double flowers. Rarely fruits.

Evergreen conifer. Red-brown bark, which peels away in strips. Needlelike foliage is a bright blue-green.

Dwarf form with narrow conical habit and compact foliage.

Tender evergreen. Fronded leaves, resembling a palm tree.

Deciduous tree. Pink and white single flowers, golden fruit in autumn. Similar to Chinese quince (Chaenomeles sinensis).

Evergreen shrub. Oval leaves, scented pink flowers in early summer.

Evergreen shrub. Fragrant pink flowers in winter and early spring.

Deciduous shrub. Clusters of pure white flowers in early summer.

Deciduous shrub. Several cultivars exist. Flowers can be single or double, in shades of white and pink.

Small white flowers with reflexed petals.

Very dwarf form with white flowers.

Pink-flushed double flowers.

Deciduous tree. Purple and orange autumn color, orange tomato-like edible fruit.

Deciduous shrub. Green leaves with silvery undersides. Small, scented cream flowers in spring, and oblong, blood-red fruit in midsummer.

Evergreen shrub. Shiny leaves with brown speckles on white undersides, scented cream flowers in autumn.

Lime-hating deciduous shrub. Smallish dark green leaves turn brilliant yellow, orange-red, and purple in autumn. Creamy white bell-like flowers in spring.

Lime-hating deciduous shrub. Red flowers in late spring, excellent autumn colour.

Lime-hating deciduous shrub. A compact form more suitable than others for the smaller sizes. White flowers appear with the leaves.

Evergreen flowering shrub. Small, glossy leaves, pink and white appleblossom-type flowers in late summer. Many cultivars and hybrids exist, with flowers in white, pink, or red.

Deciduous shrub. Fascinating purple-pink autumn colour, ridged corky 'winged' bark.

Deciduous tree. Scarlet seed capsules.

Deciduous tree. Pale green flowers, pinkish white fruit, red seeds.

Deciduous tree. Foliage turns bronze in autumn. Pale gray bark.

Small deciduous tree. Leaves are oval and bright green.

Large deciduous tree with vivid green leaves and long-lasting bronze autumn color. Smooth gray bark.

Form with deeply cut and lobed leaves.

Form with dark purple-black leaves.

Graceful form with deeply cut purple leaves.

Tender evergreen. Grown as a houseplant in temperate climates. Pointed, oval leaves on weeping stems. Variegated forms available.

Tender evergreen tree. Buttressed trunk when mature. Glossy, leathery dark green leaves.

Tender evergreen climbing shrub. Oval- to heart-shaped leaves, small on younger plants.

Tender evergreen tree. A banyan type with striking aerial roots, making it a particularly suitable form for Clasped-to-rock style. Leaves are small, glossy, and leathery in texture.

Tender evergreen tree. Undersides of glossy dark green leaves are usually covered with reddish hairs.

Deciduous flowering shrub. Coarse growing (except some dwarf forms), grown primarily for the bright golden yellow bell-shaped flowers in early spring.

Compact dwarf form of F. intermedia.

Deciduous flowering dwarf shrub. Golden yellow flowers, which appear earlier than on other forsythias.

Tender evergreen shrub. Glossy oval leaves, small, fragrant white flowers, followed by fruit resembling miniature oranges.

Very hardy. Coarse structure with large compound leaves. White flowers in May, good autumn tints.

Smallish, leathery, ovate leaves. Flowers are bright crimson red, and darken as they age. The outer petals tend to be reflexed. Not as hardy as other forms.

White and pink flowers.

Dark green leaves, small reddish pink flowers.

Free-flowering deciduous dwarf fuchsia, dark purple and red flowers.

Deciduous free-flowering dwarf form. Scarlet and violet flowers.

Lime-hating tender evergreen shrub. Shiny dark green leaves, scented white flowers.

Deciduous broad-leaved conifer. Gold autumn color, yellowish fruit.

Deciduous tree. Frondlike leaves turn pale yellow in autumn. Three-pointed thorns, long brown seed pods.

Deciduous shrub grown for winter effect. Small yellow flowers from midwinter to early spring, good orange colour in autumn.

Deciduous shrub similar to H. japonica, with larger, red and more fragrant flowers.

Evergreen climber. Glossy dark green leaves.

Slow-growing evergreen. Small, smooth leaves, insignificant white flower. Black fruit on female plants in autumn.

More compact form, with glossy convex leaves.

Dwarf form with tiny leaves.

Deciduous tree. Thin, serrated leaves, in a variety of autumn color from yellow through to purple. Female plants bear red fruit if the male is nearby.

Evergreen climber. Glossy dark green leaves with three to five lobes. Yellowish flowers, berry-like black fruit.

Slow-growing evergreen. Small, smooth leaves, insignificant white flower. Black fruit on female plants in autumn.

More compact form, with glossy convex leaves.

Dwarf form with tiny leaves.

Deciduous tree. Thin, serrated leaves, a variety of autumn color from yellow through to purple. Female plants bear red fruit if the flower is pollinated.

White-fruited form.

Miniature form. Unusually small leaves and thin twigs. Hermaphrodite, so forms fruit freely, and acts as a pollinator for female trees of the main species.

Tender, lime-hating deciduous tree. Fernlike leaves, violet flowers in spring.

Deciduous shrub. Narrow dark green leaves. Star-like yellow flowers on bare branches in winter.

Evergreen shrub. Pinnate leaves, scented white flowers in summer.

Needlelike foliage, with pale underside, banded with white on top. Black fruit. Many cultivars.

Gray-blue scalelike foliage, shaggy bark.

Tightly packed needlelike foliage.

Needlelike foliage, green fruit ripen to purplish black over two years.

Variable habit. Gray-green, predominantly scalelike foliage.

Gray-green needlelike juvenile foliage; smooth scales when mature. Blue-black fruit.

Grayish blue needles with a fine 'bloom'. Rough shaggy bark.

Grows outdoors in temperate zones. Shiny oval leaves turn red in autumn. White flowers in late summer, red fruit.

Compound leaves, drooping racemes of yellow flowers in late spring and early summer. Very hardy.

Compound leaves and drooping racemes of flowers as L. alpinum, but racemes are shorter and flower earlier.

Attractive gray, pink and cinnamon mottled trunk. Flowers in shades of white, pink, or mauve in late summer.

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Evergreen climber, deciduous in temperate zones. Shiny oval leaves turn red in autumn. White flowers in late summer, red fruit.

Deciduous tree. Compound leaves, drooping racemes of yellow flowers in late spring and early summer. Very hardy.

Deciduous tree. Compound leaves and drooping racemes of flowers as L. alpinum, but racemes are shorter and flower earlier.

Deciduous tree. Attractive gray, pink and cinnamon mottled trunk. Flowers in shades of white, pink, or mauve in late summer.

Form with white flowers which fade to cream.

Form bearing magenta flowers.

Deciduous conifer. Seems to new shoots light straw-color. Needlelike foliage is bright green in spring, gold in autumn.

Tough hybrid. New shoots are pale yellow orange color.

Deciduous conifer. Has broader leaves than L. decidua. New twigs red-orange, darkening to almost purple by winter.

Deciduous conifer. Has longer and laxer needles than other larches, and smaller flowers and cones.

Deciduous shrub. Coverlike leaves, purple-pink flowers in late summer.

Semi-evergreen shrub. Small oval leaves, white flowers in summer.

Semi-evergreen shrub. Dark, glossy leaves.

Deciduous tree. Superb orange, red and deep-purple autumn foliage.

—

—

—

—

Deciduous flowering tree. Narrow dark green leaves. Pink blossom followed by small purple fruit.

Deciduous flowering tree. Purple leaves. Wine red flowers followed by deep red fruit.

Weeping form. Young leaves bright green. Pink and white flowers followed by small red fruit, which remain on the tree throughout the winter.

Small leaves. Pink buds opening to small white flowers. Tiny yellow or red fruit.

Deciduous flowering tree. Pink flower buds opening to white, generous display of cherry-like red fruit.

Deciduous flowering tree. White flowers are followed by bright yellow fruit, which remain on the tree after leaf fall.

Small deciduous tree, often with spurs. Toothed oval leaves. Flowers white or suffused with pink, followed by yellow-green or red-flushed fruit.

Tender evergreen tree. Shiny, narrow dark green leaves with light gray undersides. Insignificant cream flowers develop into green fruit, ripening to black. Light gray bark becomes gnarled on old trees.

Evergreen shrub. Small, hollylike leaves, scented white flowers in early spring.

Deciduous climber. Three-lobed leaves turn brilliant red in autumn. Dark blue fruit.

Evergreen. Bright green young canes become golden as they mature.

Evergreen conifer. Dark green needlelike leaves, reddish shoots, cylindrical cones.

Slow-growing, compact dwarf form with tightly congested foliage.

Dwarf form with compact, very small leaves.

Dwarf form with coarse, spiny needles.

Dwarf form with bright, fresh green buds.

Slow-growing, compact evergreen dwarf conifer. Conical habit, bright green foliage.

Evergreen conifer. Slender conical habit, bluish green leaves, red-brown flaking bark. The preferred spruce species in Japan. Export is now banned, but there are still some stocks, and seed is freely available.

Dwarf form of P. glehnii, almost indistinguishable from P. abies 'Little Gem'.

Evergreen conifer. Dark green leaves with white undersides. Young shoots light brown.

Shorter leaved variety of P. jezoensis.

Dwarf evergreen tree with gray-green needlelike leaves.

Lime-hating evergreen shrub. Shiny leaves, copper-colored when young. Panicles of white flowers in spring.

Evergreen conifer. Blue-green needles growing in pairs, reddish bark.

Small evergreen conifer. Dark green needles, light green shoots.

Evergreen conifer. Also called Japanese five-needled pine. Twisted bluish needles in bundles of five. Smooth gray bark, small flowers, dark seeds.

Dwarf yatsubusa form. Thick, slightly twisted dark green needles.

One of the cultivars most popular for bonsai, due to its compact growth and small, stiff, straight needles.

Dwarf yatsubusa form with tiny needles.

Dwarf conifer with blue-green leaves in bundles of five, and red-brown young shoots.

Evergreen conifer. Distinctive spreading outline with flattened top. Short blue-green needles in pairs, flaking orange bark.

Very compact dwarf form with short needles.

Slow-growing form.

Long, thick, stiff dark green needles in pairs. Brown young shoots, craggy bark.

Distinctive corky bark forms broad vertical ridges with age. Needs Graftings

Slow-growing evergreen. Yew-like foliage.

Deciduous flowering shrub. Small, divided gray-green leaves, red & shaggy, old-looking bark even in young trees. Yellow or white flowers in summer.

Small, compact form with yellow flowers.

Small, compact form with white flowers.

Unusually colored yellow-orange flowers.

Deciduous flowering tree. With age the smooth bark furrows, cracks and peels. White blossom in spring, small reddish purple fruit in summer.

Double-flowered form.

Deciduous flowering tree. Masses of small white flowers appear from late winter through to early spring.

Dark red foliage turns deep purple in autumn. Masses of pink buds opening to white in early spring. Purple fruit.

Delicate pink flowers appear on bare wood in late winter and early spring.

Elegant tree with delicate twig structure. Small semi-double white flowers flushed with pink appear in early spring.

Free-flowering form. Foliage turns orange in autumn. Pinkish white blossom.

Small, heart-shaped bright green leaves, yellow autumn color. Masses of fragrant white blossoms in early spring. Black fruit. Does not flower so freely when young.

Classic bonsai subject. Distinctive angular growth pattern. Single or double flowers in white, pinks, and reds. Flowers on the same tree in winter. Many cultivars available from Japan, where it is also called 'ume' or 'winter plum'.

Spikes of small, white, fragrant flowers are followed by small, bitter purple-black fruit.

Pale pink flowers in early spring, followed by faintly edible golden-red fruit. There are many ornamental cultivars, which are more often used for bonsai.

White double flowers

Peach pink double flowers

Crimson double flowers

Small white flowers on bare branches in spring; bright red autumn foliage

The parent of many cultivars bred for garden use, all of which are worth considering for bonsai. Flowers may be single, semi-double, or double, in shades of white, pink, and red, and appear from late winter to late spring.