ANBG and Canberra Bonsai Society exhibit 40+ Australian bonsai with beginner tips

More than 40 bonsai, penjing and related items created by Canberra Bonsai Society members were on display in the Crosbie Morrison Building at the Australian National Botanic Gardens on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February, open 9:30 am to 4:00 pm both days. Admission was set at $5.00 for adults, $3.00 concession, and accompanied children under 12 were free, matching the prices published by both the Canberra Bonsai Society and ANBG.

Organisers presented the exhibition under a theme expressed in two published variants: ANBG described it as "The secret to looking old: tips for those beginning bonsai," while the Canberra Bonsai Society listed "The secret to getting old" as the theme for 2026. Demonstrations were listed on the Canberra Bonsai Society page at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm daily; COTA ACT's event listing described "Free Daily Demonstrations – 11 am to 2 pm," a broader window that appeared alongside the discrete times on the society site.

The Canberra Bonsai Society published practical beginner instruction that formed the core of the demonstration program: "Bonsai can look old in just a few years, by starting with mature stock or 'growing on' in the ground." The society's event copy also set out stylistic techniques: "Techniques to develop a wide trunk, such as dead branches or scars, give the tree the appearance of age." The society explicitly noted that "Tips for beginners will be explained during the display and demonstrations."

The display tied contemporary practice to institutional history. ANBG's event text framed each specimen as an interpretation of a long tradition: "Each tree reflects the artists interpretation of this ancient art in contemporary Australia." The Gardens' archive catalogues from a 2006 Australian Native Plants as Bonsai exhibition provided further context, including a Ficus macrophylla entry recounting a tree that began in 1988, survived a Canberra frost when leaves were burnt, and was "training-in-progress," and a Ficus rubiginosa listed with "Artist: Dorothy Koreshoff. This tree started life as a cutting from a 1949 Port Jackson bonsai."

Canberra Bonsai Society publicity also highlighted recent competition history, noting "People’s Choice Award 2025 Acacia Pavissima" among its page entries. Practical visitor directions published by the society advised attendees to "Follow the signs from the carpark, Visitor Centre or café" to reach the Crosbie Morrison Building at the Australian National Botanic Gardens on Clunies Ross Street, Acton ACT.

For contact and follow-up, Communityswitch and the society supplied organiser details: Linda, phone 0408 286 252, and an organiser email listed on one community page as apab@cbs.org.au; the Canberra Bonsai Society web page presented its event email address obfuscated against spambots. ANBG's site material for the exhibition carried its institutional acknowledgements and visitor facilities and preserved the Gardens' archive and media credits for earlier bonsai documentation.