Bonsai House
Kew’s Bonsai House stands at the northern end of the Order Beds. It displays at any one time ten miniature trees from Kew’s collection, some of which are over 150 years old.
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Bonsai House
Did you know?
- Cultivation of bonsai began in China over 1,500 years ago, probably by followers of the Taoist faith. They believed that natural features such as mountains, trees and rocks contained magic, and that this would be concentrated in miniature landscapes.
- The first authentic Japanese bonsai is depicted on a scroll dated 1309.
- A well-nurtured bonsai growing in a pot can outlive its ‘natural-sized’ relatives growing in open ground. One of the world’s oldest bonsai is alleged to be more than 1,500 years old.
Historical information
Built in 1887, Kew’s Bonsai House was originally used for displaying Alpine plants. Over the years it was enlarged and reconstructed. In 1981, when a new Alpine House opened, the glasshouse was relegated to growing campanulas and mossy saxifrages for the Alpine Nursery. Then, following construction of a new nursery in the 1990s, the conservatory was emptied and its rotting wooden structure replaced with a new aluminium frame. It now exhibits Kew’s growing bonsai collection.
Bonsai are ornamental trees or shrubs that are grown in pots and pruned to present a miniature version of a mature tree. The word comes from the Japanese terms bon ‘tray’ and sai ‘planting’. Most of the plants in Kew’s collection were donated by Ruth Stafford-Jones in 2001. For 25 years she acquired bonsai trees and seeds while accompanying her husband on business trips to Japan. Subsequent gifts include two 85-year-old Chinese junipers (Juniperus chinensis). These are possibly the earliest surviving Bonsai imported to Britain.
Things to look out for
The ten bonsai looking their seasonal best are displayed at any one time. Because they are outdoor trees, they are frequently rotated to keep them in good health. Among the collection are a large Japanese maple and an aged needle juniper that were once owned by Kyuzo Murata, famed in the bonsai world for having saved the Japanese emperor’s treasured collection during the Second World War. Kew’s bonsai also include a wisteria which is only displayed when blooming in early May.
Behind the scenes
Bonsai require frequent watering. During the heat of summer, Kew’s bonsai specialist Richard Kernick checks and waters the collection up to three times daily. He re-pots around a quarter of the trees every spring; prunes in spring, summer and autumn; and wires branches in winter.
Kids’ mission
See if you can spot one of the following trees in the Bonsai House (they are not always on display but you have a good chance of seeing at least one of them on any given visit):
- Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)
- Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis)
- Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
- Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)
- Beech (Fagus sylvatica)
- Larch (Larix decidua)
- Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii)
Once you have found one of the bonsai trees listed above, find a normal-sized tree of the same species in the Gardens. Have your photo taken beside each one so you can see the difference in size.
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2 comments on 'Bonsai House'
Terry says
14/12/2009 4:40:11 PM | Report abuse
Hi Luka Try the http://www.bonsai4me.com website. It's written by a very well known Bonsai master and has a range of articles for all skill levels. Good luck! Terry
Luka Mavra(aged ten) says
26/11/2009 4:49:40 PM | Report abuse
Please can we have some simple insructions on growing our own Bonsai. Many thanks, Luka Mavra