Australian Plants as Bonsai Exhibition 2025

Australian National Botanic Gardens Canberra

  22-23 February 2025 

Bonsai artists around Australia have been using Australian plants to create excellent examples of the art of bonsai for many years.  The Canberra Bonsai Society and the Australian National Botanic Gardens are pleased to present the 2025 Exhibition of Australian Plants as Bonsai, which will be held in the Crosbie Morrison Building, ANBG on 22-23 February 2024.

The art of miniature trees in pots or trays started in China around 2000 years ago (penjing) and was taken up in Japan around 1200 years ago, when it started to be called bonsai about 150 years ago.  A bonsai or penjing tells a story of a place, culture, and life’s journey. The story comes from the artist, then is left for the viewer to contemplate. Australian trees, such as bonsai or penjing, tell the story of growing out of an oriental tradition and are interpreted in an Australian context.

The exhibition will display over 40 bonsai and penjing and related items created by Canberra Bonsai Society members.

The theme for 2025 is: Australian Plants make Beautiful Bonsai.

Bonsai is the art of growing miniature trees in pots. Some are small enough to hold in the palm of your hand. These miniature trees are works of art. The artist works with a challenging medium that grows and changes with time.

The exhibition's location at the Australian National Botanic Gardens is a very appropriate setting for Australian bonsai. This year, the exhibition will be held in the Banksia Centre, and many of the bonsai on display will be banksia species.

We invite you to visit the exhibition and see the range of possibilities. You can attend daily demonstrations at 11 am and 2 pm, showcasing the techniques and considerations needed when training Australian plants as bonsai.  You can vote for your favourite tree. The artist whose tree has the most votes is celebrated yearly on the People’s Choice trophy.

We invite you to visit the exhibition, see the possibilities and identify which appeals to you.    

Exhibition Opening Hours

9:30 am – 4:00 pm

Saturday and Sunday, 22-23 February

Location

Banksia Centre
Australian National Botanic Gardens
Clunies Ross St, Acton, ACTFollow the signs from the carpark, Visitor Centre or café.

Demonstrations

11.00 am and 2:00 pm daily.

Admission

Adult                                  $5.00
Concession                       $3.00
Accompanied children
under 12 Free.

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