Bonsai Starter Plants

In midspring this small to medium-sized evergreen shrub literally covers itself in a cloak of hundreds of multi-hued pink funnel-shaped flowers with a near white throat,rose-red outer edges, and with a nicely contrasting red flecking on the upper most petals, a.k.a. standards. Hampton Beauty Azalea is a compact densely growing rounded evergreen shrub well suited to the garden, landscape, and is small enough to enjoy as a container plant or a bonsai specimen. This has long been one of our favorites due to the immense show it puts on in the spring making it a standout among its peers. Provide a moist but well-drained, humus-rich, acid soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 11882

A Robin Hill hybrid, Hilda Niblett produces large rich multi-colored flowers in varying shades of coral and pink over an extended period beginning in mid spring on a naturally dwarf and compact slow growing spreading to mounding plant. The long flowering season and compact habit make this an easy choice for bonsai culture and where a low maintenance evergreen is needed in the landscape. Provide a well-drained, moist, humus rich, acid soil for the best results. Item# 11598

Tiny deep green foliage adorns the tiny delicate limbs of this extremely dwarf Elm. Perfect for bonsai. Slow growing to 18" high. A rare find. 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 exquisite medium-sized, high centered, formal double, bright white flowers are produced late in the season, March to April, and standout like spotlights against the foil of deep green foliage. This Camellia flower form is sometimes referred to as a 'pine cone' due to its high center and its neatly overlapping petals. Kagiri Camellia is an heirloom, large flowered Japonica type with a densely branching habit and a slow rate of growth eventually developing into an upright to rounded, large evergreen shrub. The slower growing Camellias make good choices for container specimens and bonsai but will still be a cherished addition to the garden or landscape. Provide Camellias with a fertile soil rich in organic matter, with average moisture, and an organic mulch. Images courtesy of Cam Too Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13230

The 3 1/2" wide, ruffled, deep red funnel shaped flowers are produced in early to midspring and are somewhat reminiscent of the old favorite Red Ruffles. Katherine Allison Azalea, is an evergreen Dr. Eugene Aromi hybrid named for his granddaughter, having good vigor and with an initially upright habit eventually mounding out to about 4-5' high and wide. Developed in Mobile, Alabaman these were bred for good performance in the heat and humidity of the Southeast. Katherine Allison Azalea can be utilized as an informal hedge, specimen or anywhere else you would use a spring flowering medium-sized evergreen shrub 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# 12800

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

The thick succulent arching silvery green foliage is spotted and speckled with large and small dark green spots. Ledebouria is a bulbous perennial that produces small spikes of white hyacinth-like flowers in spring and summer that are held well above the intricately patterned foliage. An easy and forgiving window sill or patio plant, Ledebourias are native to the forests of Eastern Africa and multiply readily and quickly. Do not keep overly moist and provide sharp drainage. Item# 10988

Up to 1" wide dense double wonderfully fragrant white flowers are produced in abundance throughout the growing season to year round under warm tropical conditions. The Little Duke Sambac Jasmine is an old cultivar with a compact upright to scandent (a.k.a. vine-like) habit and slightly smaller flowers that is a more vigorous prolifically flowering plant than the Grand Duke of Tuscany Jasmine. The dark green elongated to rounded foliage is reminiscent of Grand Duke Supreme Jasmine but Little Duke Jasmine has denser flowers and is expected to be more compact making it a good choice for container culture or bonsai. Provide a full to part sun site in a fertile well-drained acidic soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12272

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

The tiny dark green leaves are heavily edged in creamy white. 1/2" blooms are produced throughout spring and summer. Use as a low hedge, bonsai, or in containers. Item # 519

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.

Finely cut medium-textured parsley-like foliage adorns the short sturdy stems of this easy and adaptable naturally dwarf houseplant or bonsai specimen. The Parsley-Leaf Ming Aralia can reach 3-4' high but 1-2' high is more typical and it is easily kept smaller and more compact with periodic pruning. This is a relatively slow growing cultivar of the larger growing Ming Aralia and so is not likely to outgrow your space and is tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions provided you do not keep it too wet. Item# 9301

Loads of 1-1/2" wide, starry, hose in hose flowers are light pink blushed white and have a slightly darker pink blotch and flecks in early to midspring and nearly hide the dark green foliage in peak flowering. Pink Pearl Azalea, originally named Azuma Kagami in Japan and imported and renamed by E.H. Wilson as part of the 'Wilson's Fifty', is a moderately vigorous, medium sized, heirloom, Kurume evergreen azalea with a mounding habit to about 4-5'H. Its moderately vigorous habit lend this large growing evergreen azalea to use as an informal medium-sized hedge, specimen plant, and as a spring flowering backdrop for mixed perennial gardens as well as in the 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# 12804

1/2", light pink, star-shaped blooms are produced from late spring to fall. Dense dark green foliage responds well to pruning and shearing. A good bonsai specimen, in containers, or as a low hedge. Item # 706.

The 2-1/2" to 3" wide, rich watermelon pink, funnel-shaped flowers sport a contrasting deep red blotch on the upper most petals and are produced in midspring on this highly popular old cultivar. Pride of Mobile Azalea, a.k.a. Elegans Superba or Watermelon, is a vigorous heirloom Southern Indica evergreen azalea with an initially upright habit to about 6-8'(-10') and wide. Its vigorous habit lend this large growing evergreen azalea to use as an informal hedge, specimen plant, and as a spring flowering backdrop for mixed perennial gardens as well as in the 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# 12802

The strikingly variegated new growth is broadly edged in creamy white to light greenish-yellow and each narrow leaf is centered by a contrasting line of deep green creating a nice contrast with the mature, often solid colored, deep green foliage. From a distance it has an overall light yellow to chartreuse cast to the plant. The Roman Candle™ Variegated Japanese Yew, a selection of Podocarpus macrophyllus, is a naturally upright to rounded, large evergreen shrub to small tree that can be maintained as a hedge, specimen accent plant, screen, or it can be trained into a single or multi-trunked small tree. Japanese Yew has long been a favorite in the gardens and landscapes of the Southeastern US with its virtually pest free, low-maintenance, adaptable, deer resistant, heat tolerant demeanor. It is also used widely in the art of bonsai as well as for container specimens. Provide a full to partly sunny site in an average to well-drained, fertile soil with average moisture. Item# 12750

Rich dark pink, double rose-like buds open to 2" wide fully double azalea blossoms that certainly resemble little roses. Rosea Azalea produces an abundance of flowers over an extended period in late spring on a medium to small growing evergreen. It has long been a favorite in our garden and seems to have been lost to the nursery trade and so we are excited to offer it and share its beauty again! Item# 10643.

Sea Foam is one of the most beautiful and vigorous white Camellia Japonica hybrids of the last 100 years producing medium to large pure white, fully double, perfect form Camellias with elegantly cupped petals in mid to late season. Exquisite! It has an upright to rounded growth habit with large, rich dark green, glossy foliage. Click more info to learn more... Item# 10185.

An RHS Award of Garden Merit winner! The small to medium-sized, double, ruby red flowers 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 is a C. hiemalis hybrid with Shi-Shi Gashira lineage with a vigorous yet compact well-branched habit and cloaked in medium-textured, dark green, glossy foliage growing about as high as wide. 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. Images courtesy of Cam Too Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. 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, 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