Celtis sinensis

In training since 1946

Gift of Shu-ying Lui, 1986

This is a deciduous tree native to East Asia. When the tree is bare in the winter you can appreciate the zig-zag effect of the pruning style beloved of Chinese penjing artists.

Serissa japonica

In training since 1951

Gift of Shu-ying Lui, 1986

Coming from temperate regions in Asia, this species blooms practically all year round. There are usually so many tiny white flowers that it is also known as the "tree of a thousand stars."

Ulmus parvifolia

In training since 1961

Gift of Shu-ying Lui, 1986

The trunk of this tree exhibits a flaking bark of grey, pink and tan "camouflage" pattern that explains its other common name--lacebark elm.

Ficus microcarpa

In training since 1906

Gift of Shu-ying Lui, 1986

Ehretia microphylla

In training since 1956

Gift of Shu-ying Lui, 1986

Pseudolarix amabilis

In training since 1971

Gift of Shu-ying Lui, 1986

The golden-larch is a rare and unusual conifer from China that turns bright golden yellow in the fall before dropping its needles.

Ulmus parvifolia

In training since 1961

Gift of Yee-sun Wu, 1986

In pairing a rock with a tree, it is important to keep the tree from becoming too big for the rock in order to maintain a balance.

Ulmus parvifolia

In training since 1956

Gift of Yee-sun Wu, 1986

Chinese penjing are often styled with contorted roots and branches which give them a sense of lively movement.

Ulmus parvifolia

In training since 1951

Gift of Yee-sun Wu, 1986

The leaves of a Chinese elm are so tiny that if we saw a picture of this tree without the pot, we can easily be fooled into believing this is a much larger tree.

Pyracantha crenulata

In training since 1966

Gift of Yee-sun Wu, 1986

This forest of firethorn trees produces small red fruits that last through the winter months. In the spring, the trees are covered with fragrant white blossoms.

Sageretia thea

In training since 1961

Gift of Yee-sun Wu, 1986

Penjing means "landscape in a tray." Here we see naturalistic groupings of trees as if in the wild. The white marble container or tray is unique to penjing.

Sageretia thea

In training since 1951

Gift of Yee-sun Wu, 1986

The Chinese love to add little figurines to their penjing. It helps us imagine what it would be like to sit under this tall tree.

Ulmus parvifolia

In training since 1956

Gift of Yee-sun Wu, 1986

To the Chinese, viewing a penjing of a rock with a tree evokes a more distant and rugged wilderness.

Ulmus parvifolia

In training since 1951

Gift of Yee-sun Wu, 1986

Root-over-rock style penjing showcases the Chinese love for odd-shaped rocks. The tree has been trained from a young seedling to grow around the rock.

Bougainvillea glabra

In training since 1936

Gift of Yee-sun Wu, 1986

Taiwania cryptomerioides

In training since 1946

Gift of Yee-sun Wu, 1986

Ulmus parvifolia

In training since 1946

Gift of Yee-sun Wu, 1986

The hollow trunk and gnarled branches of this tree imply survival into old age.

Ulmus parvifolia

In training since 1906

Gift of Yee-sun Wu, 1986

Many old Chinese paintings depict trees with angular bends like this one. The hollow trunk and exposed surface roots add to its quirky character.

Podocarpus macrophyllus

In training since 1956

Gift of Yee-sun Wu, 1986

This is an evergreen conifer native to mountainous areas of southern China and Japan. Small berry-like fruits ripen in the summer.

Pinus thunbergii

In training since 1936

Gift of Yee-sun Wu, 1986

This pine was styled by Yee-sun Wu, a master of the Lingnan School of penjing. Curvy lines of the trunk and branches are a characteristic of this school, suggesting a flowing image.

Pinus thunbergii Corticosa Group

In training since 1936

Gift of Yee-sun Wu, 1986

As this pine matures, its bark develops deep fissures and raised sections known as wings or ridges. Look closely at the branches on this tree to see this characteristic.

Acer buergerianum

In training since 2001

Gift of Qingquan Zhao in Honor of Emily Jane McNear, 2001

This landscape scene was created by Chinese penjing master Qingquan Zhao to suggest islands surrounded by water.

Acer buergerianum

Training years unknown

Gift of Stanley Chinn, 2002

This tree was trained into a Chinese dragon shape! It is unusual to see a tree in this historical style outside of China, especially one made by a Chinese-American.

Ulmus parvifolia

Training age unknown

Gift of Stanley Chinn, 2002

To view this tree is to feel the power of the wind. Why is that? The branches appear to grow in one direction as if forced by a strong wind. The bonsai artist creates this illusion by bending the branches into position with the support of aluminum wires. This creates the distinctive windswept style.

Pinus thunbergii

Training age unknown

Gift of Stanley Chinn, 2002

With its tall, slender trunk and sparse foliage, this pine is an example of the literati style. It resembles the type of trees featured in the paintings of Chinese literati (scholars.)

Acer buergerianum

Training age unknown

Gift of Stanley Chinn, 2002

Ulmus parvifolia

Training years unknown

Gift of Stanley Chinn, 2002

Acer buergerianum

Training age unknown

Gift of Stanley Chinn, 2002

Acer buergerianum

Training age unknown

Gift of Stanley Chinn, 2002

Ulmus parvifolia

In training since 2004

Gift of Yunhua Hu, 2004

This landscape penjing was created here at the Arboretum by Mr. Hu Yun Hua in 2004. He was the Director of the Penjing Research Center at the Shanghai Botanical Garden in China.

Acer buergerianum

In training since 1955

Gift of Michael Levin, 1999

This is an example of the exposed-root style popular in China. It is inspired by trees growing along riverbanks. When soil is gradually washed away, their roots develop a protective bark like the trunk.

Wrightia religiosa

Training age unknown

Gift of Dr. Tang Quoc Kiet, 2002

Water-jasmine is a popular material for bonsai in southeast Asia. This one was imported from Vietnam, where rounded, cloud-shaped foliage pads on bonsai are typical.