This is a great Bonsai project for a classroom or family activity. The Japanese took this form of art and created beautiful displays throughout Japan. Their unique way of shaping shrubs has become popular all over the world, and especially in the United States.

In a back issue of Growing Together newsletter, I discussed learning how to do a Topiary. There is a difference between doing a topiary and creating a bonsai look. Each of these forms are famous in a Zen garden. The forming of dwarf shrubs or trees is a special gift and takes patience and time to create. It represents the spiritual nature of the Japanese culture.

There are less complex projects that you as a teacher, student, or parent can do. Below are a couple of easy projects done by a local landscaper. Bill Sharon is a graduate of University of Georgia and owns Paradise Gardens. He created the two small projects using dwarf shrubs, natural rocks, and fresh moss.

The first structure has a Blue False Boulevard Cypress planted in the tiny garden. The second structure has a Sea Green Juniper and a Tom Thumb dwarf Cotoneaster. As you can see, they are not complex and is a great educational activity. If you noticed each one has a base of a larger flat rock. See if you can find these rocks out in nature and if you can't, they can be purchased at a rock and stone supply company or some nurseries and garden centers will carry them. The smaller rocks are positioned to stabilize the the plants and dirt.

Bill created the smaller rocks as a border around the miniature garden. Of course you will have to use dirt in the garden area. A light weight potting soil can be used and also add some humas and vermiculite to the soil. The other option is to add regular dirt from the ground. This will depend on your soil conditions in your area. Notice how the soil is mounted near the plants. This will give some depth for the roots. He created an uneven surface to give the appearance of a natural shaped environment. He also used wire to attached the different materials.

If your age group is unable to deal with wiring, scale down this project to one smaller garden. Use smaller rocks and glue them to the base rock and to each other. He finished the garden by adding natural moss. I loved how in the first picture, he put a rock on the outside of the garden and covered it with moss. Moss is available in our area and gives you a great finished look. Other ground covers to think about are Corisican mint, creeping Thyme, and Pearlwort. If these won't grow in your area, a small amount of pine straw or mulch will complete the look. Either of these projects can be done by the topiary or bonsai method.

Although both of these art forms take time to create, each represents a different appearance as they are developed and maintained. The topiary shrub or tree is formed into a specific shape such as an animal, ball. or done in different layers. You will find topiary plants in many formal gardens through the world.

The Bonsai is created mainly in containers. There are a few tips when attempting this type of art. Think of the plant specimen you are putting in the container, and place it in its natural environment as if it were in the ground. Most bonsais are dwarfs but you can create cascade effect using shrubs such as weeping Japanese Maple. Putting the plants with a series of rocks in a garden, gives you a true Zen feeling.

Many professionals will develop these plants by wrapping wire around the small branches to give them the desired shape. The wire usually is left for a couple of months to ensure the correct growth pattern. The wire is then removed but be careful not to damage the bark. Also remember, like any other container plant, they require more water then an established specie in the ground.

The two projects above are a fun way to do an art project as well as incorporating science and geography into a lesson plan, family activity, or club project. Many different plant specimens can be used to create either art form. Get some other ideas of different trees and shrubs from the gallery of plants. Hollies, Junipers, Cypress, Cotoneaster, and Arborvitaes are some of the more popular plants. I have been experimenting some with the Indian Hawthorn in shaping over the last couple of years. I hope this has gotten your creative juices flowing and if you have any similar or other projects with bonsai or topiary plants, feel free to share it with us in the build your knowledge page.