The Opening of the Japanese Garden on May 13th 2005

Click here for a report on the days events and a guide to the Japanese Garden and it's symbolism

'Bonsai for All' exhibition held at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens & Glasshouses on April 30th 2006

A very successful day with 6 local societies putting on displays as well as trade stands. Despite the bad weather, there was a very good turn out.

During the day, Kath Hughes did some work on the triple-trunk Deshojo maple from the Collection. This involved some severe pruning, but after two hours of what proved to be an impromptu demonstration, the tree really looked good. Admittedly, seeing how much foliage was being (justifiably) removed did cause mild apoplexy among some of the audience,

Also during the exhibition, the Fund Raising Raffle was drawn by Philip Aubrey. The first prize, a classic needle juniper brought in from Japan, was won by the Shropshire Bonsai Society. A further 17 prizes were won by other societies nationwide.As a result, FNBC made some £600.00.

Tree Maintenance

The adopt a tree scheme for maintaining trees in the Collection is proving a great success. Whereas in the past FNBC employed someone to maintain the trees, we now have proficient “volunteers”, made up largely of those who are on the FNBC Committee plus those who were already helping maintaining the Collection site, adopt a tree (or 2 or 3). The trees are looking good and when one is taken out for a weeks loving care and makeover, another is put in its place.

Forthcoming Events - All held at Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses

Best of British Bonsai Award 11th & 12th April 2009

The Best of British is a major event to be held at Easter 2009 at the National Collection which is housed in the Birmingham Botanic Gardens.

The event will feature the very best work of British Bonsai Artists. The award is sponsored by one of the best known Bonsai artists in the UK, Steve Tolley

The trees will be selected at venues around the UK. We need to have Bonsai that have reached the very highest standards of Bonsai Art as this award is to be for the Best Bonsai in Britain 2009

For more information go to www.bestofbritishbonsai.co.uk