Someone once refered to the Juniper bonsai as “the artist’s canvas.” Junipers are so versatile, that a skilled bonsai artist can shape a Juniper into just about any style of bonsai. If you are new to bonsai, chances are, a Juniper will be one of the first bonsai trees you will encounter. With their finely textured foliage and rugged bark, a Juniper will convey the perfect impression of the wilderness in miniature.Buy One or Make One?If you are a beginner in bonsai, there are advantages to both strategies. If you buy a Juniper bonsai which is well styled, it can serve as a three dimensional model for you to learn how to style your other trees. However, there is some expense involved in purchasing an established bonsai, particularly one which is well styled. For a fraction of the cost, you can create your own. You will still need to buy a bon guitar capo sai pot, though.If you decide to create your own bonsai, you will need to go to a garden center, landscape nursery, or the garden department of your local “big box” store in order to purchase the raw material. There are several varieties of juniper available in nurseries, but the easiest one for beginners to work with is Juniperus Procumbens Nana, also called the Japanese Ground Juniper, Japanese Garden Juniper, or the “Green Mound” juniper. These Junipers are usually sold as ground cover in temperate climates, and are usually available in one gallon and five gallon sizes. Try to find one that has a thick trunk, and some strong upper branching that you can use to create the top of the tree.Creating the Juniper Bonsai(Skip this part if you purchased one already made). Once you have your raw material home, you will need to prune and shape it.
