Recommended species for Mame and Shonin?

[Utah-Bonsai-Student]

Been really interested in hearing suggestions of what material folks feel is well suited for both Mame and Shonin.

 

[Shibui]

Cotoneaster damerii, Cotoneaster horizontalis
Buxus harlandii
Trident maple
Lonicera nitida
Privet

More challenging to get a good compact shape in a small bonsai but can still work well:
Juniperus chinensis
Japanese maple
Crab apple
Chaenomeles 'Chojubai'

Search through pictures of Shohin displays and try to ID the species that are being used elsewhere then see if they will cope with Utah conditions.

 

[Sonbai]

Berberis make good mame too, IMO.

 

[Shibui]

I missed Chinese elm 'Seiju' last time. Excellent as it is tough, has small leaves and develops corky bark.
Standard Chinese elm and corky bark Chinese elm can also be good but leaves are a bit bigger.
Ficus sp, especially sp that reduce leaves well.

 

[Gabler]

Acer rubrum
Fagus grandifolia
Liquidambar styraciflua
Liriodendron tulipifera
Platanus occidentalis
Taxodium distichum

 

[jszg]

Cotoneaster adpressus is easy to find, nice foliage- but the flowers are uglier than the other cotoneasters listed above. Nice fruit though.

 

[Gabler]

Acer rubrum
Fagus grandifolia
Liquidambar styraciflua
Liriodendron tulipifera
Platanus occidentalis
Taxodium distichum

Joking aside, look for trees and shrubs with small leaves and short internodes.

 

[jradics]

I just looked through about a 100) 3gal nursery Abelias and found one (ok a few) with nice trunks. Bought the best one, reduced roots and top, put into a smaller pot and here we are

 

[MHBonsai]

I'd throw out there that ficus can make excellent small trees. And you can develop them ridiculously fast.