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Tiny centuries-old trees? The Huntington gears up for its annual Bonsai Celebration
Bonsai collection at The Huntington, San Marino, California.
(
Max Tepper
)
The Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino is gearing up for its annual Bonsai Celebration this weekend, which will include expert talks, a bonsai marketplace, live auction and more.
The Huntington’s bonsai collection is about 500 plants strong, with some of the tiny trees believed to be more than 1,000 years old.
One piece in The Huntington’s collection, a California juniper in the semi-cascade-style, has original plant material estimated to be 1,500 to 1,800 years old.
Daniel Deephouse, assistant curator of bonsai at The Huntington, told LAist it's a good time to be into what he calls “magical” trees, with dozens of bonsai clubs active throughout California.
“Right now it’s on fire," Deephouse said. "I think since COVID a lot of people have gotten back into plants... which I think is coming at a really great time because we’re having less and less time, and less and less space.”
With its roots stretching back in Japan more than 1,000 years ago, the art form began to take off in California after World War II.
The journey of a bonsai curator
Deephouse said it was his grandmother who got him into bonsai back in the 1980s. Living with ADHD and dyslexia, he said his passion for these ancient miniatures has gotten him through much of life.
Caring for bonsai is a quick way to disconnect from the noisy world around him, Deephouse said.
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Bonsai collection at The Huntington, San Marino, California.
(
Max Tepper
)
“You can only do one thing at one time... so when you’re actually focusing on your tree, you get to go into a Zen focus,” he said.
The highlight of working with The Huntington's bonsai collection? Deephouse said that’s the 100 or so volunteers who regularly care for the trees.
This weekend’s celebration of everything bonsai will also include an exhibition from the California Bonsai Society, as well as a guided walk with Deephouse on Sunday.
Want to attend?
The Huntington Bonsai Celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Feb. 28 through March 1. The festivities are free with general admission.
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