Introduction to Bonsai
With a focus on care and maintenance, learn all the basics of bonsai design. Select a tree, learn how to prune, transplant, landscape with rocks, and discover what the art of bonsai is all about as you create your very own bonsai to take home. This class includes everything you need!
Includes all materials needed to participate.
Cost: $120
DATES
Introduction to Bonsai - Juniper – April 19, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (11 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai - Juniper – May 3, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (14 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai - Juniper – May 11, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (14 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai - Tropical – May 17, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (12 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai - Tropical – May 24, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (11 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai - Tropical – May 31, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (14 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai - Tropical – June 22, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (14 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai - Tropical – July 5, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (14 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai - Tropical – July 20, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (14 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai - Tropical – August 3, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (14 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai - Tropical – August 17, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (14 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai - Tropical – August 23, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (14 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai - Tropical – September 6, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (14 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai - Tropical – September 13, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (14 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai - Juniper – September 27, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (14 openings)
If there are no available openings for your preferred class date, please call us during normal business hours or email us to get on a waiting list.
Introduction to Bonsai 2
Expanding upon what was taught in Intro to Bonsai 1, this class will delve deeper into maintenance pruning, basic wiring, and how to bend branches to create pleasing classical shapes and beautiful bonsai.
Includes all materials.
Cost: $175
DATES
Introduction to Bonsai 2: Pruning & Wiring – June 14, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (12 openings)
Introduction to Bonsai 2: Pruning & Wiring – July 26, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (12 openings)
If there are no available openings for your preferred class date, please call us during normal business hours or email us to get on a waiting list.
Beyond the Basics
This introductory class is designed for students looking for a more immersive experience in bonsai technique and horticultural practice. Seriously-minded beginners will appreciate the depth of instruction, and students will walk away with a solid foundation for working across many different species.
Includes all materials.
Cost: $175
DATES
Beyond the Basics: Getting to Know Juniper – January 11, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (6 openings)
Beyond the Basics: Getting to Know Juniper – March 22, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (8 openings)
Beyond the Basics: Getting to Know Juniper – April 23, 2025 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm (8 openings)
Beyond the Basics: Getting to Know Tropicals – July 9, 2025 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm (8 openings)
Beyond the Basics: Getting to Know Tropicals – August 13, 2025 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm (8 openings)
Beyond the Basics: Getting to Know Juniper – October 1, 2025 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm (8 openings)
If there are no available openings for your preferred class date, please call us during normal business hours or email us to get on a waiting list.
Beginner Workshop
Bring in your bonsai tree and get started on one small project. Learn how to prune or re-pot or wire and style, or just come in to learn the basic seasonal care and maintenance. In order to maximize the focus of the class, sessions are separated by project: choose between Pruning & Styling or Repotting.
Use of our tools, soil and wire is included in the price of this workshop.
Cost: $85
DATES
Beginner Workshop - Cold Hardy – February 16, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (11 openings)
Beginner Workshop - Cold Hardy – March 23, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (11 openings)
Beginner Workshop - Cold Hardy – April 13, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (12 openings)
Beginner Workshop - Tropical – May 25, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (11 openings)
Beginner Workshop - Tropical – June 8, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (12 openings)
Beginner Workshop - Tropical – June 29, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (11 openings)
Beginner Workshop - Tropical – July 27, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (12 openings)
Beginner Workshop - Tropical – August 10, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (12 openings)
Beginner Workshop - Tropical – September 7, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (12 openings)
If there are no available openings for your preferred class date, please call us during normal business hours or email us to get on a waiting list.
Yours, Mine, Ours: A Class for Two
Class for Two: designed for those who want to discover this great hobby together. Spouses or friends, parents and kids, even grandparents and children have enjoyed this great bonsai experience together.
Each person learns the basics by creating a beautiful tropical bonsai individually, then, each pair collaborates to create one large tree together. Make a gift to each other by joining forces and making bonsai!
Materials provided.
Make trees part of your relationship. One registration is for two people.
Cost: $280.00 (for two)
DATES
Yours Mine Ours: A Class for Two – May 10, 2025 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm (5 openings)
Yours Mine Ours: A Class for Two – June 15, 2025 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm (6 openings)
Yours Mine Ours: A Class for Two – July 12, 2025 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm (7 openings)
If there are no available openings for your preferred class date, please call us during normal business hours or email us to get on a waiting list.
Intermediate Workshop with Zuma
Bring your own bonsai and learn how to develop it through the seasons and years with Zuma! The Intermediate Workshop is for students who wish to reach that next level in the art of bonsai. Every student participating in workshops are at different places in their bonsai journey. This enables you to learn not just from our instructor, but from other students as well!
Use of soil and tools are provided, but students are encouraged to purchase their own.
Cost: $145
DATES
Intermediate Workshop – January 24, 2025 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm (9 openings)
Intermediate Workshop – February 7, 2025 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm (10 openings)
Intermediate Workshop – March 14, 2025 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm (5 openings)
Intermediate Workshop – May 18, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (7 openings)
Intermediate Workshop – August 8, 2025 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm (8 openings)
Intermediate Workshop – October 5, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (10 openings)
If there are no available openings for your preferred class date, please call us during normal business hours or email us to get on a waiting list.
Species Focus Series
These beginner classes are catered to students who have some of the basic knowledge of bonsai techniques and would like to bring diversity into their collection. The series is timed to match the appropriate season, and instructors will discuss some of the nuances and specific care of each species.
DATES
Species Focus: Kishu Shimpaku Juniper – January 18, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (8 openings)
Special Focus: Japanese White Pine – February 23, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (5 openings)
Species Focus: Maple Grove – March 1, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (8 openings)
Species Focus: Chinese Elm – March 8, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (9 openings)
Special Focus: Rhode Island Red Maple – March 15, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (5 openings)
Special Focus: Yamadori Larch – March 29, 2025 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm (8 openings)
Special Focus: Hinoki Cypress – April 6, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (8 openings)
Special Focus: Dwarf Jade Grove – July 19, 2025 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (7 openings)
If there are no available openings for your preferred class date, please call us during normal business hours or email us to get on a waiting list.
Black Pine Workshop
The Japanese Black Pine (JBP) is regarded as the “King” of Japanese bonsai species, with its first recorded use dating back to the 1600s. This series is friendly for all skill levels and will enable students to practice with advanced horticultural and design techniques. Follow this emblematic tree through the seasons and learn how it has adapted to the climate and conditions of New England. Students may begin the course at any installment and will attend a total of four sessions to conduct season-specific work (wiring, candle pruning, bud selection, proper fertilization, fungal mitigation, etc.).
DATES
2024 session | |
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Sunday, February 10th, 2024 | 12:00pm – 5:00pm |
Sunday, June 9th, 2024 | 12:00pm – 2:00pm |
Saturday, August 24th, 2024 | 12:00pm – 2:00pm |
Saturday, November 16th, 2024 | 12:00pm – 2:00pm |
2025 session | |
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Saturday, February 8th, 2025 | 12:00pm – 5:00pm |
Saturday, June 14th, 2025 | 12:00pm – 2:00pm |
Saturday, August 16th, 2025 | 12:00pm – 2:00pm |
Saturday, November 15th, 2025 | 12:00pm – 2:00pm |
Each student will provide their own black pine and a range of copper wire sizes. Trees and supplies may be purchased from the nursery if necessary. We encourage students to bring their own tools, but workshop tools are available to borrow if needed.
To enroll, email info@bonsaiwest.com to check available openings.
Cost: $500 for all 4 sessions (tree, wire, soil, and other supplies are not included)
Plants, pots, soil, wire, and other materials are not included in hourly rates listed below. Private lessons are limited to one participant.
A perfect option for those who want professional guidance with a simple project like repotting, basic/refined pruning, or basic wiring (1-2 branches). Questions on general care or other trees may be addressed during this time. Lesson time may vary; here are some approximations for planning the length of your lesson:
INSTRUCTORS
Joe Thomas
This level will be catered to more complex projects on developed trees or yamadori (collected material). Some examples of challenging tasks might include: refinement wiring, deadwood carving, and grove composition.
Length of your lesson will be discussed when reviewing your material. You may divide your lesson time over multiple sessions.
INSTRUCTORS
Michael Levin
Zuma Fleischmann
If you missed the registration for one of our regularly scheduled classes, we now also offer our Introduction to Bonsai I class for groups of 2-8. In this two-hour class, each participant will receive a season-appropriate tree to learn the basics of pruning and repotting. General aftercare and growing tips are reviewed before you take your new bonsai home!
The price of this class includes 1 tree, 1 pot, soil and use of workshop materials for each participant. Options to upgrade material are available for an additional fee.
INSTRUCTORS
Bonsai West staff