Sonoma Botanical Garden will launch “Bonsai & Blossoms” on Jan. 9, a winter exhibition highlighting flowering bonsai cultivated by members of the Redwood Empire Bonsai Society. The show runs through March 22.
The indoor display will feature cherry, azalea, camellia, quince and wisteria bonsai timed to bloom as winter shifts toward spring.
Inspired by hanami — the centuries-old Japanese tradition of celebrating the fleeting beauty of blossoms — the exhibition encourages visitors to explore the Garden’s Asian woodland using a new Hanami Stroll Guide that points to early-blooming magnolias, cherries and camellias.
The exhibition includes scheduled programs such as docent talks by bonsai experts, guided meditation hikes, photo walks, bonsai repotting demonstrations and workshops on care and pruning.
A traditional Japanese tea ceremony, special Hanami Strolls and a Spring Equinox sound bath also are planned. Complimentary hot tea will be available.
“Flowering bonsai embody the perfect union of strength and fragility,” said George Haas, a bonsai artist and exhibit organizer with the society. “Each bloom is a moment of living poetry — carefully shaped, yet utterly natural.”
The exhibition includes work from six Sonoma County bonsai practitioners, with pieces ranging from handheld shohin bonsai to larger trees up to 40 inches tall.
Signage throughout the gallery will outline the cultural and botanical roots of bonsai, and the indoor display will be set within a minimalist, Japanese-inspired environment with shoji screens and tulip-style tables.
“We are delighted to once again partner with the Redwood Empire Bonsai Society to share this living art with our community,” said Jeannie Perales, the Garden’s executive director. “‘Bonsai & Blossoms’ celebrates the courage of winter blooms and the joy of spring’s return — a perfect reflection of the spirit of hanami and the Garden’s mission to honor beauty in all its seasons.”
Sonoma Botanical Garden is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at 12841 Highway 12 in Glen Ellen. Admission is $15 for adults, with discounts available. For more information or to register for programming, visit sonomabg.org.
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