The term denotes both the pursuit of this horticultural work and the objects themselves. The goal in bonsai is to create small versions of what resemble huge, ancient trees, with special regard shown to balance , harmony , and form . Bonsai originated in China, later to be embraced by the Japanese. Before becoming bonsai, a plant may be referred to as potensai.
Some bonsai is modeled upon traditional Chinese painting .
Colin Lewis, European Larch , Larix decidua. For this and the next example, Davies presents a delightful commentary with many photos to tell how and why he's worked on these trees. Davies originally collected this plant near the shores of Lake Huron, then took it to England. Colin Lewis, Western Hemlock , Tsuga heterophylla. Yahoo's links to bonsai sites .