Any Good Advice on Bonsai Forests?

[AHodie11]

Hello!

I am somewhat new to Bonsai and I have been practicing for a few years now. I live in zone 10a in West Palm Beach, Fl. I have a desire to create another Bonsai Forest, but what thinking of doing an evergreen style look. I understand our local pines have too long of needles, so I was thinking of going with a more upright juniper to give the look. Would a Blue Point Juniper do alright in my zone? I know it is a hardiness zone 4-9, if not I was thinking of possibly a Spartan, but I have heard it’s not the best. Any suggestions would be great!

 

[sorce]

Blue Point Juniper

IMO....they suck in any climate!

Welcome to Crazy!

Use what you can see growing from your front porch!

Sorce

 

[ShadyStump]

A quick search of conifers or evergreens suitable for your climate will give you a good list to start with. Or better, Saturday is perfect time to walk around your local nursery and see what they produce.

Not familiar with them myself, but I hear good things about cypress, of which there are many varieties suitable to both bonsai and your area. Though, they may not be evergreen.

 

[AHodie11]

IMO....they suck in any climate!

Welcome to Crazy!

Use what you can see growing from your front porch!

Sorce

Yeah that’s what I was thinking we have a lot of common junipers and blue rug at the local nurseries so I’m trying to be creative

 

[AHodie11]

A quick search of conifers or evergreens suitable for your climate will give you a good list to start with. Or better, Saturday is perfect time to walk around your local nursery and see what they produce.

Not familiar with them myself, but I hear good things about cypress, of which there are many varieties suitable to both bonsai and your area. Though, they may not be evergreen.

Yeah I have been searching but it’s hard to find much. I loved bald cypress and have one myself and managed to get some Monterey Pines, but their needles are too long for a Forrest. I’m hoping to find some sort of viable juniper option. Most stop at the hardiness zone 9 and I’m right at the border in 10, thinking maybe I can get lucky with a 9, but won’t look as good as it could be. Tough tough choices

 

[penumbra]

Juniperus chinensis var. foemina is very upright, probably the best juniper for a bonsai forest and zone 7 through 10.

 

[AHodie11]

Juniperus chinensis var. foemina is very upright, probably the best juniper for a bonsai forest and zone 7 through 10.

You’re a life saver! I’m going to research on how to get a few. I will keep the forum updated once I can plant them.

 

[Firstflush]

I know you said evergreens, but take a look in your local green belts and parks for saplings that grow well in your area.
I have two mini forests a little over a year old made of saplings I have found under a mother plant.....one consists of ginkgo saplings and the other of liquidambar saplings. Both free. Both tough. Both deciduous.

Likely to find bald cypress in Florida.

 

[AHodie11]

@Firstflush Thank you for the advice, I love keeping my eyes peeled, I actually collected a bald cypress a few months ago locally. Crossing my fingers it stays alive, so far it’s doing alright. Iv never thought of a Ginko or a Liquidamber, I wonder if they could survive in my 10a zone. I know I’m battling my climate here trying to get a northern forest look ,but hey I enjoy a challenge. @penumbra above mentioned a Juniperus chinensis var. foemina, and I’m very intrigued since I’m familiar with juniper care.

 

[sorce]

blue rug a

That's where it's at for me!

Shagville!

Pointing is Rude!

I never seen a Bougainvillea Forest....dem shits is evergreen! And red and orange and purple and ...well I don't even know if those are all true....

But do it!

Sorce

 

[AHodie11]

That's where it's at for me!

Shagville!

Pointing is Rude!

I never seen a Bougainvillea Forest....dem shits is evergreen! And red and orange and purple and ...well I don't even know if those are all true....

But do it!

Sorce

I have a personal grudge with the Bogainvillea, my parents had them and after growing up dealing with those thorn bush’s I refuse to touch another. They are beautiful though haha.

 

[AZ Newb]

That's where it's at for me!

Shagville!

Pointing is Rude!

I never seen a Bougainvillea Forest....dem shits is evergreen! And red and orange and purple and ...well I don't even know if those are all true....

But do it!

Sorce

Here a bougi forest from a member of the Phoenix Bonsai Society.

 

[TinyArt]

Maybe some useful plants ID’d here:

NSIS: Florida Native Plants

Information about Florida's native plants and bird, butterfly, and wildlife gardening.

nsis.org

 

[penumbra]

Here a bougi forest from a member of the Phoenix Bonsai Society.

That is pretty cool. I never saw a bougie forest.

 

[penumbra]

Acacia, portalacaria, and some figs also make good forest plantings. Check with Wigert's Bonsai Nursery. They have lots of zone 10 plants.

 

[AHodie11]

Here a bougi forest from a member of the Phoenix Bonsai Society.

That is really cool! That will be added to my list of future bonsai trees, thank you for sharing

 

[Forsoothe!]

IMO....they suck in any climate!

Welcome to Crazy!

Use what you can see growing from your front porch!

Sorce

Ya know how I hate to be picky, but true experts in bonsai can create nice bonsai with Blue Point. Like this one...

I know that Juniperus chinensis and many others are included in the University of Florida's 680 Tree Fact Sheets

 

[Crawforde]

Check out Southern Native Nursery.
just north of Southern Blvd on Seminole Pratt Whitney.
I mostly collect my trees, but they have lots at decent prices and you can see what grows well here.
Mounts Botanical Garden should be having their spring plant sale soon too.

 

[sorce]

Ya know how I hate to be picky, but true experts in bonsai can create nice bonsai with Blue Point. Like this one...
View attachment 370202
I know that Juniperus chinensis and many others are included in the University of Florida's 680 Tree Fact Sheets

Oops! You're right!

I meant Blue "Shore", the needly ones. F them!

That trunk is pimp!

Thanks for ... pointing....that out!

Mines gonna die if I don't remoss the roots!




Sorce

 

[AHodie11]

Check out Southern Native Nursery.
just north of Southern Blvd on Seminole Pratt Whitney.
I mostly collect my trees, but they have lots at decent prices and you can see what grows well here.
Mounts Botanical Garden should be having their spring plant sale soon too.

I love Mounts I live really close by, I have seen the Saturday sales and I may have to come by again. I met the bonsai brothers there the last time I went. I never heard of Southern Native Nursery Il have to check it out, thank you! I usually stuck to online shopping due to all of our local nursery’s lack decent bonsai material. I got a few junipers from Southern Gardens Nursery on Southern, they are cheap and decent sized.