Description
The Common juniper, Juniperus communis, is one of only 3 conifer species native to the UK. It makes a good bonsai subject.
The species is one of the most widespread in the world and in the wild takes many forms from a creeping, prostrate shrub to a small tree a few metres tall. In a few locations in the UK. wonderful ” natural bonsai ” can be seen growing but it is a protected species and the areas that it can mostly be found are the likes of National Parks. It is known as a juniper with needle type foliage rather than the scale foliage of most other junipers we see in bonsai. It has long been cultivated for garden and horticultural use and as such many different varieties exist.
This particular example has originated as garden collected material and the previous owner has grown it over a small rock and then carried out only the minimum of shaping of branching. It is not immediately clear what sort of style of bonsai has been the objective, on the one hand it is almost suggesting a half cascade but without really a suitable low branch, it is more in a slightly unconventional informal upright shape. There is a possibly natural shari deadwood feature on the main right hand branch to add interest. The species is tough and hardy and grows really well in the UK so building branching and foliage will not be a problem. overall the bonsai is 42cm. in height with a spread of 78cm. The root spread at base is 9cm. with a 4cm. diam. trunk above this. The oval Mica plastic trainer is 36x25x10cm. An interesting project tree.
