Bonsai Starter Plants

Zone 6B cold hardy! Medium sized, intense bright red, anemone form flowers with a smattering of white variegated petaloids and occasionally displaying pink filaments tipped with gold stamens. Flowers over an extended period in midseason, February to April. April Tryst Camellia is a large flowered Japonica Camellia with a moderate rate of growth eventually developing into a large, rounded evergreen shrub. Part of the April series developed by Dr. Clifford Parks and like its peers it was selected for its exceptional zone 6B cold hardiness as well as for its form and flowers. Provide Camellias with a fertile soil rich in organic matter, with average moisture, and an organic mulch. Images courtesy of CamToo Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13202

Medium sized, deep rose red, perfect form flowers are produced over an extended period beginning in midseason and continues well into the late season, February-April. Arctic Rose Camellia develops into a medium to large evergreen shrub with a dense compact habit with a moderate rate of growth. Its slightly smaller mature size makes it a good choice for a low maintenance hedge or container specimen as well as an accent or specimen in the landscape. As its name would imply, Arctic Rose, a William Ackerman hybrid, was selected for its ability to flower reliably even into zone 6. Provide Camellias with a fertile soil rich in organic matter, with average moisture, and an organic mulch. Images courtesy of CamToo Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13203

Dense, deep dark green foliage adorns the naturally upright and pyramidal form of this easy to grow evergreen. Black Dragon Japanese Cedar, a dwarf selection of Cryptomeria japonica, is a fine textured, small to medium-sized, evergreen shrub with a densely branching, conical, upright habit. This cultivar tends to have a moderate rate of growth to about 4-6' high and then growth slows as plants mature. Use this small evergreen as a specimen plant, accent, low maintenance hedge, as a container plant, or as a bonsai specimen. Cryptomeria or Japanese Cedars are adaptable provided they have an average to well-drained, fertile, acidic soil with average moisture in a full sun to partially shaded site. The dark colored foliage makes an excellent foil for lighter colored flowers and foliage. Black Dragon Cryptomeria has been selected as a Great Plant Pick of the Pacific Northwest. Item# 9111

In spring dainty 3-4" spikes of pink, Hyacinth-like flowers emerge from the soil to nestle among the often still unfurling rich green, burgundy pinstriped foliage. A winner in fairy gardens, rock gardens, in a border, or in containers! The tiny bulbs of Ledebouria quickly multiply and aren't picky about depth and will often be stacked one atop the other. Provide good drainage and average moisture in sun to light shade. Tough and easy yet dainty! 20+ bulbs/plants per pot. Item# 10466.

A 2012 American Rhododendron Society Rhododendron of the Year award winner! The glowing clear red flowers of Coronado Red Evergreen Azalea are produced in spring and again in fall on this compact growing, rounded, small evergreen shrub which matures to about 3-4' high and wide. Azaleas do best in average moist, acidic soils that are rich in organic matter but have good to excellent drainage and should be top dressed with an organic mulch such as pine straw and pine bark. We recommend using a slow-release, non-burning fertilizer that is labeled for acidic loving plants. Item# 10203

A blue flowered Sasanqua! Dark purple buds open to purplish-red the first day and change to lavender-blue the second creating a multi-colored effect on this semi-dwarf evergreen Sasanqua in fall. The blues are intensified in acid soils. Rich deep green rounded foliage on a compact rounded plant. Very similar to Shi-Shi Gashira in foliage and habit and is a chance seedling of the Louisiana Super Plant selection Shi-Shi Gashira. Item# 9636.

Tiny, deep green, ovate foliage adorns the dense canopy of fine branches of this extremely dwarf form of the Chinese or Lacebark Elm. Hokkaido Dwarf Chinese Elm, Ulmus parvifolia 'Hokkaido', is a tiny deciduous tree growing to a mere 12-18" high at a rate of about 1-2" per year with 30 year old specimens potentially reaching to near 30-36" high. Its small stature lends this miniature tree to use as a natural, minimal maitenance bonsai specimen or utilize it as an accent in miniature gardens. Provide a full sun to partial sunny site in an average moist, average to well drained soil for optimum health and vigor. This rare tree is sometimes also referred to as the Princess Elm. Item# 456

The 2-3" wide, white funnel shaped flowers are randomly flecked with pink to red and are produced in late spring. Iveryanum Azalea, a.k.a. Iveryana, is an heirloom dwarf Southern Indica hybrid developing into a 3' high mound of medium to deep green, medium textured, evergreen foliage. It lends itself to bonsai culture but is sure to be a low-maintenance conversation piece in the garden and landscape. Azaleas do best in average moist, acidic soils that are rich in organic matter but have good to excellent drainage and should be top dressed with an organic mulch such as pine straw and pine bark. We recommend using a slow-release, non-burning fertilizer that is labeled for acidic loving plants. Azalea flowers attract a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Item# 12797

The 2-3" wide mainly white flowers have a nicely contrasting deep cherry red blotch and flecks but are occasionally light pink to light lavender and are produced in mid to late spring. Johga Azalea, a sport of Izayoi and sometimes spelled 'Joga', is a dwarf Satsuki evergreen azalea that slowly develops into a 2-3' high mound of deep green medium-texured foliage. It lends itself to bonsai culture but is sure to be a low-maintenance conversation piece in the garden and landscape. Azaleas do best in average moist, acidic soils that are rich in organic matter but have good to excellent drainage and should be top dressed with an organic mulch such as pine straw and pine bark. We recommend using a slow-release, non-burning fertilizer that is labeled for acidic loving plants. Azalea flowers attract a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Item# 12799

The full, rounded, funnel shaped, rich rosy red flowers are randomly marbled with splashes of white, but can also be solid red, pink, or near solid white, are produced in mid to late spring attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Kobai #2 Evergreen Azalea, a.k.a Red Plum, is a rare Satsuki hybrid with a dwarf compact, naturally rounded mound forming habit making this a popular choice for bonsai but it is equally desirable in the garden and landscape where its multi-colored flowers are sure to make a big splash. Provide your evergreen Azaleas with a well-drained, average moist, humus rich, acid soil and topdress with an organic mulch for the best results. Item# 12574

Oh me oh my oh! When Midnight Flare is in flower everyone says where can I get that! It produces some of the deepest and richest, fiery, clear red flowers known in the Azalea world. The 2" wide blossoms seemingly cover up the plant in spring and are held against a foil of deep green, slightly bronze tinged foliage. Midnight Flare Azalea has a naturally medium to small rounded growth habit. Winner of the 2010 Rhododendron of the Year for the Southeastern US by the American Rhododendron Society! Azaleas do best in average moist, acidic soils that are rich in organic matter but have good to excellent drainage and should be top dressed with an organic mulch such as pine straw and pine bark. We recommend using a slow-release, non-burning fertilizer that is labeled for acidic loving plants. Item# 10724

Loads of 1-1/2" wide, purple tinged rich peachy-pink, starry funnel shaped flowers are produced in midspring with good repeat in fall all on a low mounding spreading plant. Momo No Haru Azalea, which roughly translates to 'Spring of Peach', is a dwarf Satsuki evergreen azalea slowly building to about 2-3'H x 4-5'W. Its compact habit lend it to use as a bonsai specimen but it can also be utilized as a low growing evergreen hedge or as a specimen plant in the garden and landscape. Azaleas do best in average moist, acidic soils that are rich in organic matter but have good to excellent drainage and should be top dressed with an organic mulch such as pine straw and pine bark. We recommend using a slow-release, non-burning fertilizer that is labeled for acidic loving plants. Azalea flowers attract a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Item# 12801

Double white flowers with a boss of yellow stamens adorn this easy to grow shrub in spring. The O Yashima Flowering Quince is a nicely compact selection with excellent flower power. Flowering Quince are easy to grow and long-lived deciduous shrubs with good drought tolerance once established. Cut stems of quince with well developed flower buds that are showing color can be brought indoors as cut flowers. Prune after flowering as Quince flower on old wood. Great for bonsai. Item# 10443.

Exquisite! The large, perfect or rose form, pure white flowers shine like spotlights against the foil of deep green glossy foliage and are produced in mid to late season or January to April. Sea Foam is a large flowered Japonica type with a vigorous, initially upright, densely branching habit that rounds out with age to about 10' high and 6-8' wide. It is considered to be one of the most vigorous white hybrids of the last 100 years! For optimum growth and vigor provide Camellias with a fertile soil rich in organic matter, with average moisture, and an organic mulch. See our Camellia Growing Guide for in-depth planting and care instructions. Item# 10185

An RHS Award of Garden Merit winner! The small to medium-sized, double, ruby red to rose red flowers, occasionally with a lavender tinge, showing varying amounts of yellow stamens among the central petaloids, are produced early in the season, October to December. Sparkling Burgundy Sasanqua Camellia, a C. hiemalis hybrid with Shi-Shi Gashira lineage, has a vigorous, yet compact, well-branched habit growing to about 5-7' high and equally wide and is cloaked in medium-textured, dark green, glossy foliage. Use this medium-sized evergreen shrub as a fall flowering accent, hedge, or even a container plant in formal or informal settings. This was one of the earliest patented Camellias assigned USPP1539. The Sasanqua Camellias are much more tolerant of growing conditions than standard Japonica Camellias and can tolerate less than perfect soils and full sun to light shade conditions. Item# 13229

Dainty, nectar-rich, late winter to midspring, greenish white flowers are followed by sweet, clear orange, 3/8" diameter berries with a flavor reminiscent of cantaloupe ripen in fall. Like all of our native Hackberry species, the Spiny Hackberry, Celtis pallida or C. ehrenbergiana, is an important host plant for the Hackberry butterflies (American Snout, Cuban Snout, Empress Leilia, Dusky Emperor, Tawny Emperor, Hackberry Emperor, etc...) as well as the Red-Bordered Metalmark. The ripe fruit are devoured by a variety of birds and other wildlife. Human nibblers should be aware that the fruit does contain a large pit. The Spiny or Desert Hackberry develops into a large shrub or small tree that seems to prefer average moist soils but as the name implies it is quite drought tolerant once well-established. Item# 10682

The large 3-4" wide, funnel shaped, white flowers are neatly edged in a broad band of contrasting rich reddish-pink and seem to nearly glow against the foil of dark green, medium textured foliage. Flowering is in midspring attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Vibrant Evergreen Azalea, a Harris hybrid, is a rare dwarf with a dense and compact habit that lends itself to bonsai culture but is sure to be a low-maintenance conversation piece in the garden and landscape.  Azaleas do best in average moist, acidic soils that are rich in organic matter but that has good to excellent drainage and should be top dressed with an organic mulch such as pine straw and pine bark. We recommend using a slow-release, non-burning fertilizer that is labeled for acidic loving plants. Item# 12576

A Louisiana Super Plant selection! The large 3-4" wide, coral pink, funnel-shaped flowers are produced beginning in late spring with sporadic summer flowering and another nice show in fall with the flowers attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Watchet Azalea, an evergreen Satsuki type, has a neat and compact, densely branching, naturally rounded habit that lends itself to use in low-maintenance gardens and landscapes, including formal settings. Its small size also lends Watchet to use in bonsai as well as for low-maintenance container plants. Provide your evergreen Azaleas with a well-drained, average moist, humus rich, acid soil and topdress with an organic mulch for the best results. Item# 12575