Different Styles of Bonsai Gardens

One of the most important things to consider when you first start bonsai gardening is what style of garden you want. There are different styles of garden and some lend themselves better to the novice than others. Once you are comfortable with the style you've chosen and have gotten some good results, you can move onto some of the more advanced forms with the experience and confidence you need to produce great results. Try consulting a bonsai gardening professionals to help you select the correct type of plants that will match the style of garden you've chosen.

The first style is the Chokkan, which is considered to be the easiest and simplest style to learn and is therefore perfectly suited to the beginner. The trees in this style tend to have straight, upright trunks and are potted in rectangular pots to accent this shape. Look for plants that have not only have the straight trunk, but also a balanced branch structure.

Next is the Moyogi, this form is a bit more advanced style. The top of the trunk leans forward slightly instead of growing straight up. Young plants tend to be much easier to locate in this form because they are more flexible. This style also looks great in an oval or even rectangular planter that helps to accentuate the style of the plant.

The next style is Moyogi. In this more advanced style, the trunks of the tree bend forward slightly instead of growing straight. Young plants are ideal for this style as they are still flexible. Potting can be in oval or rectangular pots, depending on which better accents the tree's shape.

The next style is Shakkan. In this intermediate style, the trunk of the tree bends further than in Moyogi. The trees are potted in either round or square pots, allowing the tree to bend over the planter.

The next style is Kengais, which is one of the more advanced styles. Its challenges lay in the sloping style of the trunk, which can be difficult to master. These trees are best planted in pots that are round or hexagonal, and are taller and more narrow as to allow the tree to cascade down better.

Next is Han-Kengai. This style has a trunk the begins straight and then cascades downward at a more gentle angle than other styles. This style uses the same round or hexagonal pots as the other cascading styles, but does not need to be as tall and narrow to achieve the proper effect.

The next style is Funkinagashi. This style simulates a tree exposed to extreme weather conditions. The branches are largely bare, to represent a tree that has had its greenery wind-stripped.

Lastly is the Bunjingi style, this style has several shapes but is often called the strangest form of bonsai gardening. The shapes are typically unnatural and strange, which is meant to symbolize trees surviving in nature under awful conditions.

The last one is the Bunjingi style. This style is made up of many different shapes and is often called the strangest bonsai style. The shapes of these trees are unnatural and meant to imitate trees surviving in terrible conditions in nature.