The Pacific Bonsai Museum

On Sunday we took advantage of a mild sunny day to visit three gardens not far from home. The first is the Pacific Bonsai Museum on what was formerly the Weyerhaeuser campus in Federal Way, WA. 

Not actually a garden, this museum is an outdoor display of living art. There are about 150 bonsai in the collection, 60 of which are on display at one time. It is one of the largest and most diverse collections in the world. 

The walk from the parking lot to the Bonsai Museum lets you know you are heading to a special place. 

 Some tropical trees are in an enclosed glass house. My glasses and camera lens immediately steamed up in there. 

 Out in the bright sunlight, we first see this Juniper from Taiwan, trained as a bonsai since 1959.

 This upright tree with a blue painted background reminds me of the Cascadia flag. 

 Most of these trees are quite large, and all are masterworks of art. 

 This Satsuki Azalea has been "in training" since 1910. 

 With Tom in the picture you can get a correct idea of the size. 

 Many of these trees have wonderful old trunks. 

This azalea dates from 1800. 

 Here you can get an idea of the wonderful woodland setting of this museum. 

 This Japanese yew dates from about 1700. It was probably found in the wild as an already old tree and made into a bonsai, but that date is unknown. 

 This is a climbing hydrangea. Ours climbs up a fir tree. This one has been severely controlled, not allowed to become a vine, and has instead become a lovely bonsai. 

Some call these tortured trees. In a sense they are, but they are also a wonderful art form, but one that takes constant care to keep them alive, in shape, and healthy.