Springfield Bonsai Society - Springfield, IL

What a day.

Today's Beginner Bonsai Workshop at Washington Park Botanical Garden was full, and the energy in the room was incredible from start to finish. We spent the morning getting our hands dirty, learning the basics of repotting, root work, pruning, wiring, and styling while transforming tiger bark ficus into each participant's very first bonsai.

One of my favorite parts of these workshops is seeing the moment people realize there isn't a "correct" tree. Every person made different decisions, every tree took on its own character, and everyone walked away with something uniquely theirs.

We're especially excited to welcome 17 new members to the Springfield Bonsai Society. Watching our community continue to grow is exactly why we love putting on events like this.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended, Springfield Park district and the Washington Park Botanical Gardens and members who helped make the day run so smoothly. We hope this is just the beginning of your bonsai journey, and we can't wait to see how your trees develop over the years.

Welcome to the Springfield Bonsai Society! Here's to many years of growing trees—and growing friendships—together.

Cheers.

SPRINGFIELD BONSAI SOCIETY HEAT ALERT

The forecast is calling for several days of high temperatures, and your bonsai will be feeling it just as much as you are.

A few simple steps can make all the difference:
💧 Water deeply, not just frequently. Make sure the entire root ball is saturated.

🌤 Provide afternoon shade for recently repotted trees, shallow pots, and any species showing signs of heat stress.

🌬 Good air movement helps, but remember that hot, dry wind can increase water loss dramatically.

✂️ Save heavy pruning, wiring, and repotting for cooler weather whenever possible.

👀 Check your trees morning and evening. During heat waves, conditions can change in just a few hours.

Speaking of heat...One group's heat stress is another group's perfect growing weather. Tropical bonsai absolutely thrive this time of year, making summer the ideal season to learn more about them. Registraion is now open for ourJuly Springfield Bonsai Society - Tropical Bonsai Workshop Join the Springfield Bonsai Society as we guide you through creating, styling, and caring for your own tropical bonsai to take home.

*SBS Bonsai Weather Alert*

Strong storms and high winds are headed into Central Illinois. Take a few minutes to secure your trees before the weather arrives.

• Move smaller trees to the ground. • Group pots together. • Secure benches and shade cloth. • Bring in anything lightweight.

Wind does far more damage to bonsai than rain. Stay safe, and hopefully the only thing we'll be discussing afterward is what the storm pruned for us.

Stay safe, Springfield. 🌩️🌳

The Springfield Bonsai Society is excited to announce our upcoming Tropical Bonsai Workshop in partnership with the Springfield Park District and Washington Park Botanical Gardens.

Join us Saturday, July 11th from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at the WPBG Exhibit Hall for a hands-on tropical bonsai workshop led by Society members. Participants will learn the basics of bonsai styling, wiring, and long-term care while creating their own tropical bonsai tree to take home.

Workshop fee includes:
• Tropical bonsai tree
• Bonsai pot
• Soil and materials
• Hands-on instruction

Adult workshop only (18+)

Registration deadline: July 9th
Resident Fee: $65
Non-Resident Fee: $75
Activity #261119

Register online:
bit.ly/WPBG_Bonsai-Workshop

Location:
Washington Park Botanical Gardens Exhibit Hall
1740 W Fayette Ave, Springfield, IL

Questions or assistance:
217-546-4116

Whether you’re completely new to bonsai or looking to add a tropical tree to your collection, this is a great opportunity to learn directly from local enthusiasts and artists.

The Springfield Bonsai Society exhibition last weekend was one for the books!
Record attendance, full rooms, and constant conversation around the beautiful trees from start to finish. The weather helped, but the turnout spoke for itself. For a lot of people, this was their first time seeing bonsai up close. Watching that moment click never gets old.

Appreciation to our members, volunteers, exhibitors and Washington Park Botanical Gardens - who put in the work to make it happen. And to everyone who came through — you made the weekend what it was.

Up next: Monthly meeting - Monday, May 12 at 7:00 PM at Adams Wildlife Sanctuary.

An examination of aesthetics and terminology, led by Francisco. Using his own stunning photos from a trip to 100th Kokufu-ten in Japan.

Followed by :

From Branch to Jin: Hands-On Deadwood Session (BYOT — bring your own trees and tools),
led by Scott & Chris.

Warm air, open sky
Branches shaped by patient hands
Today, they speak loud

Last day to get outside in some great weather and see some beautiful at Springfield Bonsai Society: The Art of Bonsai at Washington Park Botanical Gardens.
12pm-4pm

Admission is free. Come for a nice stroll in the park and say Hi!

Happy Earth Day from SBS!🌎

Free to attend. Impossible to leave without wanting one.
April 25–26 · 12–4 PM ·
Washington Park Botanical Garden - Exhibit hall