Australian Native Bonsai

Overview

Bonsai is the art and science of growing trees and shrubs in containers in a way that produces a miniature version of a full-size tree growing in the wild, typically to between 15 and 90 centimetres high. The bonsai artist uses special tools to prune the branches and foliage, at least once a year, often more frequently. The roots are trimmed, and the potting medium is replaced in a two- to five-year cycle, to promote new growth and keep the plant healthy. The artist also deploys certain techniques create the appearance of age and uses various presentation styles to create a particular aesthetic.

Bonsai has been practised in Japan for at least 1,200 years. It originated from the even older Chinese practice of penjing, which is the art of and science of growing miniature landscapes in a pot or tray, as opposed the more sparsely presented single tree, typical of bonsai. Knowledge of miniature trees spread to Australia in the 1800s, via Chinese migrants and post-World War II, via returning Australian soldiers. The Association of Australian Bonsai Clubs was established in 1980 and currently represents 58 bonsai clubs across the country. In 2022, Australia is expected to host the ninth World Bonsai Convention, in Perth.

Featured in this stamp issue are three examples of Australian native plants as bonsai. The trees featured in this issue are, or have been, housed at the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia (NBPCA), which is part of the National Arboretum, Canberra. 

Technical specifications