Foreward in 2021
These photos in this post are from 2018; long before SARS-CoV-2 was a concern or worldwide problem.
As with the photos I recently posted from my 2017 trip to Rhode Island, the following is a collection of photos shot in 2018 which I’ve had in my personal backlog to edit and write about for several years. I only recently finished editing and composing this post alongside others from the same trip due to the sheer volume of images.
New England Bonsai Gardens
In 2018, I went on a roadtrip to visit with my friend Alyssa and explore more of her home state of Rhode Island. I’ve been several times before, but as with any trip to a place you’ve been before, you discover something new every time. This time, one of those discoveries was New England Bonsai Gardens.
So, I’m not as big a plant nerd as Alyssa, but I still enjoy certain varieties. I have several orchids, and the previous year, Alyssa had gotten me a Willow Leaf Ficus bonsai for Christmas - Alyssa finds her zen in all plants, and discovered the art of bonsai the previous Fall. Luckily for her, New England is host to the largest bonsai nursery on the East coast, just across the border in Massachusetts. She visited often enough the owners know her by name, but it was finally my turn to see all their varieties in person.
We both selected new bonsai to take home. I’ve always admired junipers, but sadly the one I picked up and brought home with me didn’t make it in the end, dying about a month later from some combination of too much sunlight or too much or too little water - I’m just not sure, but it’s the only plant I’ve ever lost, even with my experience raising temperamental plants. I’ve been told by others that DC’s climate has too harsh fluctuations for junipers to thrive, but I find that a bit hard to believe if they can thrive with care in New England. Beats me.
Interestingly, since returning from this trip I’ve discovered that the nursery I frequent here in Virginia sources all their bonsai from New England Bonsai Gardens; it was obvious to me when I noticed they don’t even take NEBG’s inventory tags off. On top of that, since this trip, Alyssa has visited me here in DC, and while conversing with some of the staff here, they both actually know some of the same people at NEBG since they source their bonsai from there. I know this is a pretty niche interest, but it’s still a small world.
