Resources for Beginners

Brought to you by The Bonsai Bookstore in association with Amazon Books, Inc. and The Tool Shop at Bonsai Web.

Tools and Supplies:

The Tools Shop at Bonsai Web offers a wide range of quality tools at affordable prices. In particular, make sure to check out our Beginner's Tool Set by Joshua Roth Limited

Reading Material:

Bonsai by Sunset Perhaps the most often recommended book is Bonsai, published by Sunset Books. Many bonsai enthusiasts started with this basic introduction, which covers just about everything a beginner needs to know. This has become the de facto standard introductory book.

At a price of less than $10.00, this book is affordable and highly recommended

Order Bonsai; Sunset Book, Sunset Magazine; Paperback; $8.99

Additional works

These works are often referenced among bonsai enthusiasts and each will add something unique to your understnading of bonsai. These books, taken together, represent a very good set of reference materials which will cover most any question about bonsai care, training, propagation, or styling. These books are well suited to the beginner, but are also references that will remain useful even as your abiltiies grow and you gain experience. These are the books that you will return to time after time.

The Art of Bonsai, Peter Adams

Peter Adams's book takes a unique approach. The first half of the book is devoted to providing in depth information for six species (Beech, Hornbeam, Elm,. Zelkova, Juniper, Cryptomeria), including conditions for growing and the production cycle over the first six years of growing and training. In addition to offering information, this book walks through 16 different case studies, illustrating different techniques and strategies. A great opportunity to see one of the modern masters at work!

Order The Art of Bonsai; Peter D. Adams; Paperback; $16.16

Bonsai (RD Handbooks), Harry Tomlinson

This book is described as "the complete practical guide to the art of bonsai, from growing a single tree from seed to creating a landscape arrangement." This book is great for beginners for its "hand on" approach. Tomlinson has included an "A-Z of Bonsai species" to provide basic informaiton on over 100 species, and has several sections where you se him actually transform nursery stock into finished trees. His descriptions of methods for styling are clear and well illustrated. An excellent resource for beginners.

Order Bonsai (Rd Home Handbooks); Harry Tomlinson; Paperback; $14.40

The Complete Book of Bonsai, Harry Tomlinson

This book is considered one of the best all around beginners books as well. It is packed with information from start to finish, including a species guide that comes in handy often!

Order The Complete Book of Bonsai; Harry Tomlinson; Hardcover; $31.50

Indoor Bonsai, Paul Lesniewicz

If you plan on doing any of your bonsai indoors, this book is highly recommended. Lesniewicz is an authority on bonsai generally, but this work really excells at documenting the procedures for (and difficulties of) growing your trees indoors. There is an extensive list of trees that can be grown indoors with special attention paid to indoor care (for example, sunlight and exposure is desribed in terms such as "place in a bright sunny window facing south or west." If you plan on indoor bonsai, this is a great book for you.

Order Indoor Bonsai; Paul Lesniewicz; Paperback; $13.45

The Living Art of Bonsai, Amy Liang

Amy Liang's book promises a "monumnetal tribute to bonsai," featuring "a huge gallery of full-color photographs of some of the world's most beautiful specimens," and this book delivers. It is by no means a "picture book" alone. Liang goes into great detail about the history of bonsai, basic styles, plant physiology, and training and propagation methods (among other topics). This work is exhaustive in its treatment. Everything from picking out tree materials to selecting a pot to displaying your tree is covered, and everything is beautifully and expertly illustrated.

Order The Living Art of Bonsai : Principles & Techniques of Cultivation & Propagation; Amy Liang; Paperback; $22.46

The Simon and Schuster Guide to Bonsai, Gianfranco Giorgi, Victoria Jahn

As a reference work, Simon and Schuster's Guide to Bonsai is first rate. There is lots of information jammed into this little paperback. Recommended for your booskhelf no matter what you level of exeprience.

Order Simon and Schuster's Guide to Bonsai (Nature Guide Series); Gianfranco Giorgi, Victoria Jahn; Paperback; $12.60

For additional recommendations, see Andy Walsh's Bonsai Book List and Reviews.
For more titles, including books on related topics (suiseki, ikebana, and more), visit the Bonsai Bookstore