-
Everything Ficus Trees
By Jim Ireland Ficus trees are the cornerstone of tropical bonsai and are celebrated for their vibrant, waxy foliage, striking aerial roots, and diverse bark textures. Why are Ficus so popular? Ficus are some of the best choices for bonsai—especially indoors—because they’re hardy, forgiving, and respond well to pruning. The genus belongs to the family
-
Junipers, Pines, and Conifers
By Jim Ireland To understand the difference between junipers, pines, and conifers, it helps to think of them in terms of a family tree. ​The Simplest Way to Look at it is: Conifer is the broad category (the “parent” group), while Pines and Junipers are two very different “children” within that group. Conifers: The Big
-
Intro to Evergreens
By Jim Ireland Evergreen trees are plants that retain foliage (leaves) year-round, staying green across all seasons, including winter or the dry season. This feature contrasts them with deciduous trees, which shed all their leaves annually. ​The defining feature of evergreens is their ability to continuously retain green and functional leaves. They don’t lose all their
