Shanti Bithi Revisited
You may recall a visit to Shanti Bithi Bonsai last Autumn. Located in Stamford, Connecticut, Shanti Bithi is one of the largest growers and importers of Bonsai in the United States and is owned by garden designers, Carole and Jerome Rocherolle. I just love this Japanese art of miniature trees and wanted to show this fabulous collection again, now that the specimens are green and lush with the new growth of spring.
Martha
I don't think these miniature trees will grow here or I don't recall seeing any around my area of California. I live on the central coast of the state slightly inland from the ocean.
I love these trees. Recall these in the Karate Kid movies if these are the same kind used in film from back in the 1980's.
Sharkey & Franny blog today is so precious, beautiful flowers and they look so "SWEET" if I can use that word for bull dogs without them fussing over it!
Any update on Karen and her Chows by chance if it is proper to ask you?
Last week or maybe it was longer then that you made white,lemon & chocolate cakes, I tried the recipe for the white. Made two today for a family funeral and one Chocolate. The weather is to be close to 100 today and the funeral is out of town and in the desert. I am hoping the cakes will hold up for the drive and the long delay before serving. I used coconut icing in hopes of holding the icing together better in this crazy heat wave we are having.
The cakes look so good took every ounce of my will power not to eat any, I did settle for the left over icing.
Pam from California
Posted by: Pam From California | May 19th, 2009 at 1:06 am
Hi Martha!
Beautiful collection of Bonsai trees.
I have an indoor special Ficus Retusa Bonsai, also known as Banyan Fig. It is 43" tall, it has small dark green leaves oval shape,tiered layered style branches and extensive banyan roots, it is potted in a 24" brown oval container. Bought it since 4 years and love it, I take personal care even with helpers around the house. It is placed on a round antique table under the skylight. Wish I can send you a photo, it is so beautiful. I Would love to have an outdoor Bonsai, I live in Kuwait in winter it is cold but Summer is very very hot.
God Bless
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | May 19th, 2009 at 1:41 am
Martha, I forgot to mention in my post comment, that my bonsai is very similar to picture 41. An ancient boxwood.
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | May 19th, 2009 at 2:27 am
Oh my. My father had a 25 year old Silver Birch bonsai and I thought it was the most magical thing - like a bit of fairyland. This place must be breath-taking! t.x
Posted by: kitschen pink | May 19th, 2009 at 2:42 am
Hi Martha, You never fail to inspire! I'd go nuts at Shanti Bithi. I love bonsai. Aren't they magical? And moss just seems to fit bonsai. I expect to find a tiny fairy curled up on some moss under a bonsai tree. OK, so maybe my imagination goes wild. The Korean hornbeam, Japanese maple and trident maples really catch my fancy. I love the picture #32 of the moss. It looks like it's blooming, could that be? The last photo of the fish basin is really neat! Thanks for it all! I've bookmarked Shanti Bithi's website for a later read. Good night or should I say Good Morning!
Posted by: Frances Jackson | May 19th, 2009 at 3:03 am
Beautiful trees
Thanks for sharing
Posted by: pat | May 19th, 2009 at 9:09 am
The Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain, MA has a small but beautiful collection of Bonsai trees. Some of them dating back to the 1800's. Not sure if you have been to this park, but you should check them out some time, it is amazing.
Posted by: Carrie | May 19th, 2009 at 9:13 am
I've been growing bonsai for nine years now and I have to say it's the most enjoyable thing that I've ever experienced. I live in Wisconsin so I have to tuck the trees in a potting shed for dormancy over winter but bringing them out in spring is such a great event.
Posted by: Camrin | May 19th, 2009 at 9:28 am
my pop was in the who's who's of nurserymen, subsequently i grew up entrenched in all of this, he was the first in the area to culture & create bonsai, topiaried material, rare conifers, I love ever picture u share of plant material & ur experience and info, my favorite bonsai u photographed is the kingsville boxwood (i have 1), a difficult cultivar to find in the trade.......have begun a collection of tree peonies because of the photos & info (planted 12 this yr) u shared, such an interesting history and stunning bloom, enjoy just the foliage of the plant, tks 4 sharing all of this and no u have a forever fan of ur blog, & also food, inc will b hard 2 view, time some folks begin 2 have a conscience about their food & the world we live in, I no it will b hard 4 me to view, the footage of the dairy cow being lifted by a front end loader and it's groans, I cannot get out of my mind, does anyone not get they have a soul
Posted by: charmayne | May 19th, 2009 at 10:12 am
I have friend that made a few bonsai trees in her rock gardens. maples.
I've been recently looking at some of our trees which maybe I could give it a try and do bonsai tree.
Coffee is on.
Posted by: peppylady | May 19th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Hi Martha,
I haven’t seen a lot of places to purchase Bonsai trees where I live except at Home Depot. They are nothing like these gorgeous specimens at Shanti Bithi though! I didn’t know one could bonsai a Bougainvillea or a Ficus plant - interesting. That would be the only way I would want a Bougainvillea because of the thorns and it grows so big. Some Ficus roots can grow under the house or sidewalk too so I’m careful with those plants. I really like the driftwood which looks a little like what I have in my garden. I also have a ponytail palm which I love. Ours is at least 25 years old and has withstood a lot of hurricane weather. We have a bird making a nest in it this year!
Thanks for the great pictures and the link to their interesting site. If I ever get up north I know I would want to visit them or I might just have to buy their book. Both would be good too! Trish
Posted by: Trish | May 19th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Thanks Martha, for this informative blog, I now know more than I did before I came - Generic Gene
Posted by: GenericGene | May 19th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
This is a nice springtime follow-up to your original trip you took in the fall, Martha. Seeing everything leafed out makes me WANT everything!
With some of our rainy spell behind us now and being able to get caught up in the yard some, I now have flower fever. One of the things on my to-do list is to go over to my favorite nursery and get some flowers. Oh, I know e-x-a-c-t-l-y what I want, but I bet you I come home with some things that WEREN'T on my list, too! I will definitely have to go on a weekend day, as I will need plenty of time to peruse the rows of tables, and a 7 pm closing time on the weekdays just 'won't do'! [giggle]
I cleaned out and filled my 'pond' on Sunday evening - an above-the-ground oval galvanized stock tank - only to discover on Monday morning that I have a leak! (BIG sigh!) I like to place a pond pump/filter system down inside to create a splashing water effect which is a wonderful draw for wildlife (plus it keeps the water moving and cleaner)...Monday morning, though, had no 'splash'! Woe is me! I was really disappointed to find that little teeny-tiny water spout, spurting out the back thru one of the seams!
There is a-l-w-a-y-s something to do in the garden!
(...now WHERE did I see that roll of duct tape?!!) [giggle]
=^..^=
"Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation."--George Washington
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | May 19th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
they are beautiful but you need a green thumb and I realize I don't havde it
Posted by: barbarita | May 19th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Hi Martha, This is another absolutely fabulous blog with stunning photos. I love everything about bonsai; the plants, the driftwood, the rocks, the moss and the beautiful displays. Shanti Bithi is a wonderful place worth visiting again and again. Thanks for taking us there again. I am always amazed at how the blossoms can be bigger than the branches and the leaves and how fabulous these trees and bushes look even though they have been confined for years. I wonder how much space those bonsai on display would take up if they were allowed to grow naturally?!! Amazing!!! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 20th, 2009 at 12:05 am
My dad has been growing them for about 40 yrs. now. He use to be the pres. of the Eastern U. S. Bonsai. He has over 200 in he back yard.
Posted by: william henderson | May 20th, 2009 at 2:02 am
Okay, be still my heart!
Since the moment I first saw these magical trees, forests and tiny flowers at the wee age of 8 their charm and beauty have consumed me and I've been obsessed with Bonsai. I'm nuts about these giant trees in small form and I wish I could own a hundred. This place looks glorious. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Marie | May 20th, 2009 at 5:12 am
Martha, I am watching your Birthday show
today. I was married in 1952 in Connecticut
and received a mix master for a wedding gift
from a dear Aunt who was the best cook and
baker, as was my Mother. I spent many weekends
with her when I was young and learned a lot about cooking, especially baking from her. We moved to Florida
30 years ago and never knew what happened to
the mixer, which I used for many years. I have
a BIG Birthday coming up in June 78 and would I
love to have a Kitchen Aid. I keep looking for
sales on them but still cannot afford one. Is
there anywhere I could buy one below retail?
Love your show, cooking, crafts etc., I am
in Michaels Crafts every week.
I hope I am around to see your 1000th show.
Good Luck
Posted by: Marie Lagalo | May 20th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I remember years ago going to a bonsai exhibit in Oakland, CA. and one of the exhibitors had a bonsai redwood forest. It was absolutely magical and I have never seen anything like it sense.
Thanks for this posting!
Posted by: Penny | May 24th, 2009 at 12:31 am
I am always amazed at how the blossoms can be bigger than the branches and the leaves and how fabulous these trees and bushes look even though they have been confined for years. It is amazing, Thanks Martha.
Marlon V Garcia
Posted by: Marlon V Garcia | May 24th, 2009 at 11:25 pm