Turns out Bonsai West, owned by Michael Levin, is a regional (if not national) mecca for bonsai enthusiasts. Today I went back with the sole purpose of asking questions (something in my earlier awe, I was incapable of doing), taking a tour and photographing so I could show you this amazing place.
I was shown around by a woman who volunteers there - just because she loves it so much. She kindly shared with me the beautiful bonsai collection that is part of the nursery, as well as those plants that belong to the many clients (including her) who winter board their collections.
To give you a taste, there are many greenhouses (I toured 3 but there were a few more that I didn't enter), a pot shed (filled with all sorts of interesting bonsai containers), a couple of cold frames for boarding customer's cold hardy bonsai (keeping them out of the wind and giving them a little protection but not robbing them of the cold season), tropical greenhouses (for tropical bonsai) and a plant hospital. Yes, a plant hospital — they will take in your plant or bonsai, nurse it back to health and take care of it and then give it back to you. This single service alone made me giddy with excitement and loving that such a thing even exists. Plus, I have a few ailing citrus I am that I am thinking of signing up for an extended servicing at the clinic.
Bonsai West has a plant selection beyond your wildest imagination and they ship (for those of you farther afield). But if you are within driving distance of East Central Massachusetts, I advise you make a trip - it is well worth the drive.
Winter at Bonsai West is just as interesting as summer. Right now there are so many bonsai to see that are being winter boarded, but in the summer the collection moves outside and you can walk the beautiful gardens (that, as I said before, you would never know exists until you tuck inside).
I have lots of reading that I picked up — and I am thinking that I will probably share a bit more about the basics of bonsai next week (I'm a newly minted bonsai addict -- and plan to sign up for some of Bonsai West's extensive classes). More to come....
(Images: Rochelle Greayer
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This place is literally one town over from where I grew up and where my parents still live. I never knew!
Having awesome bonsai someday is my dream. I wish I had the dedication right now to pick it up, but I know I don't, and I would hate myself for killing a years-old tree just by being a flimse about it.
The picture don't do the place justice. I wish you took pictures of the bonsais that are located outdoors. This is most Zen place I have ever visited and I used to have one of the photos on my desktop for years.
If I am ever going to NH again, I will make the detour and visit Bonsai West again. (I usually get of the I-91 around Troy and then I sneak through south Vermont but Bonsai West is worth staying on the I-91 longer and then go north via the 495).
The picture don't do the place justice. I wish you took pictures of the bonsais that are located outdoors. This is most Zen place I have ever visited and I used to have one of the photos on my desktop for years.
If I am ever going to NH again, I will make the detour and visit Bonsai West again. (I usually get of the I-91 around Troy and then I sneak through south Vermont but Bonsai West is worth staying on the I-91 longer and then go north via the 495).