Any ever try Halesia carolina as bonsai?

[Carapace]

I saw this little tree at a nursery and I haven't seen it before and I was wondering if anyone has one of these as bonsai? They look like they could work pretty well.
And if yes, are they any good?

 

[rockm]

I saw this little tree at a nursery and I haven't seen it before and I was wondering if anyone has one of these as bonsai? They look like they could work pretty well.
And if yes, are they any good?

Yes. Carolina silverbell is a native species in the southeastern U.S. primarily along the Appalachian ridges of N. and S. Carolina, Georgia into Alabama. Is has been used for bonsai for quite some time using collected trees. It's not common however as bonsai and is not easy to find in the wild.

 

[penumbra]

Leaves on mine are quite large, 4 to 6 inches. It is planted in the garden.

 

[Carapace]

Well, you don't see it here in Romania, like at all so I guess I'll buy one and try my hand at it, love the hanging flowers.

 

[rockm]

Well, you don't see it here in Romania, like at all so I guess I'll buy one and try my hand at it, love the hanging flowers.

Carolina Silverbell | Department of Horticulture

www.uky.edu

Some interesting things pertaining to using it as bonsai--Particularly the acid-loving part--
"This tree likes rich, well-drained, moist soil that is acidic (pH of 5 to 6). It becomes chlorotic in soils with high pH. Carolina silverbell grows best in soil with high organic matter content. It is an understory tree that requires a protected environment. It grows best in a collection of trees as it needs light shade. It is hardy in Zones 4 to 8. This tree is resistant to pests unless it is located on a droughty site in an alkaline soil. It will not survive those conditions. In addition, scale can be a problem when the tree is stressed.

 

[Styrw89]

Sounds like an azalea- grows in the same habitat, at least.

Their cousins, the Styrax genus, are seen as bonsai in Japan (and here!).

 

[rockm]

Japanese snowbell is a classic bonsai subject. It is probably the closest you will get to the Carolina species.

Bonsai Tree Histories: Styrax Bonsai Case History (styrax japonica)

Styrax Bonsai History: One late spring at a bonsai society meeting I noticed a very eye-catching tree in full flower. On enquiring as to the species I was informed that this bonsai was a styrax.

www.why-bonsai.com