The Bonsai Show: Wood & Stone

January 10–March 30, 2025

Step into a miniature world of timeless beauty where stones become mountains, and intricately crafted trees evoke ancient forests. Experience the serene beauty of bonsai this winter with 20 works by artisans from the Redwood Empire Bonsai Society and a display of suiseki viewing stones.

Suiseki, naturally shaped ‘water stones’ displayed on wooden stands, evoke mountains and natural scenes, perfectly complementing the bonsai. This Japanese art form, meaning ‘planted in a container,’ creates miniature replicas of full-grown trees through careful pruning and shaping.

From tiny shohin bonsai to larger specimens, you’ll see Asian and California-native trees like pines, elms, and redwoods. Enjoy tea, rake a Zen rock garden, join bonsai demonstrations, or try haiku in the redwood forest. Visit our calendar for details.

Explore our winter Garden to find full-sized versions of bonsai miniatures with this tree map.

With support from:

English
Spanish
Japanese
Chinese
George Haas trimming bonsai tree

Bonsai Tree Close Up

Coast Live Oak Bonsai taken by Daniel Perales

Public Programs

REBS Docent Schedule

Every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a knowledgeable docent from REBS will be available to engage with Garden guests, answer questions, and share insights about bonsai.