The unexpected joy of growing Chinese Elm Bonsai

I planted Chinese Elm Bonsai without expecting much and it's become one of the most satisfying things in my garden. deeply personal relationship between artist and tree is something I couldn't have predicted from looking at it in a nursery. You only understand it once the plant is established and performing.

I keep it in a Japanese-inspired garden display with gravel and stone which is perfect for it. repotting every two to three years with root pruning was the thing I got lucky getting right early. vigorous growing season requiring wiring and pinching stopped me in my tracks the first time I saw it. over-wiring causing wire bite scarring on branches is a real thing — just check regularly and deal with it quickly.