What are the best types of plants to use for bonsai?

Any substantial plant can be trained into a bonsai with a bit of hard work - although some plants are very difficult to make to adapt to the shallow pots and restricted growth. Trees/shrubs which are used more commonly for bonsai - and adapt quite well are evergreens such as Pine, Cypress, Camelia, Azalea, Pomegranate, Holly, Serissa, Fig (Rainforest and Mediterranean) and Cedar. Deciduous trees such as Cherry, Maple (Japanese and Trident), Zelkova and Beech are also prime candidates.

All of these plants are favoured for bonsai because they are great plants for both the novice and expert. They offer many special characteristics such as beautiful flowers, a strong and hardy nature, attractive bark, interesting foliage or seasonal fruits and cones. Whatever the attribute, the above plants really do make beautiful bonsai - while also being traditional plants which have been used in this art for centuries.

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