Please note the change of date due to the Labor Day holiday. Additionally, the meeting will be held at the Garden’s Learning Campus, instead of our normal space. Please see the attached map if you are unfamiliar with the Learning Campus.

Location: Learning Campus, Classroom #2
7:00 PM - Bonsai 101
7:30 PM - Main program, Guest Artist Elle Nieto-Brodnick

Elle Nieto-Brodnick discovered her passion for bonsai appreciation and cultivation during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic while working in the healthcare industry.

She started educating herself via online videos and literature.  Her voracious quest for learning led her to attend workshops and classes with Todd Schlafer, Andy Smith, Owen Reich, Will Baddeley, and Julian Tsai. Within her four years of practice, and under the tutelage of Bjorn Bjorholm and Mauro Stemberger, she remains a motivated student who reveals an exceptional perception of bonsai creativity. She goes to great lengths to further her study, improve her skills, and develop the character traits reflective of a disciplined and committed bonsai practitioner.

Teaching basic to intermediate bonsai at The Hidden Gardens and working with private clients has pivoted her from being a serious student into an upcoming bonsai professional/artist.  She has recently demonstrated and conducted workshops for the Springfield Bonsai Society and the Ann Arbor Bonsai Society, and has additional upcoming events scheduled.

Description: Premna Japonica (Musk Maple) in 6” bulb pan. Movement has already been established in the trunks, the workshop will focus on branch placement and cut-back to continue styling the materials. Participants should bring tools and wire.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: $95, payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Maximum Participants: 6
Location: Regenstein Center, Linnaeus Room
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Description: Raft dwarf Arborvite workshop - wire a tree into forest form from a single tree for you to plant next spring. Plant in your pot or rockscape - appropriate pot and rockscape options are available for purchase by contacting 515-769-2446 ahead of the workshop. Students should bring wire cutters, basic concave cutters, or powerful scissors, as well as 2.5 mm, 3 mm and 3.5 mm aluminum wire.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: $38, payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop. Pot and rockscape options available separately for purchase by calling 515-769-2446 ahead of time.
Skill Level: All
Maximum Participants: 8
Location: Regenstein Center, Linnaeus Room
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Description: Narrow leaf Buttonwood produces lovey very narrow foliage, great wood for carving, and is a hardy Florida native. Tropical favorite! Buttonwood likes full sun, and moderate water and fertilizer. Tropical tree, keep away from freezing temperatures. Tools and wire will be provided.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: $30, payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop.
Skill Level: All
Maximum Participants: 8
Location: Regenstein Center, Plant Science Lab
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Description: A hands-on workshop designed for intermediate bonsai enthusiasts where we will focus on the Tiger Bark Ficus, a species renowned for its striking, well-developed trunk and resilient nature. Learn intermediate pruning, wiring, and styling methods tailored specifically to the Tiger Bark Ficus. Explore techniques to further develop and refine the impressive trunk structure of your Ficus. Gain information into the care routines required to maintain a healthy and thriving Ficus. From watering schedules to pest management. This workshop is ideal for intermediate participants who have basic bonsai experience. We will not be repotting, so you will receive one tree ready for styling. Participants will need to bring their own basic tools and wire of chice from 1mm/18 gauge through 4mm/10 gauge. Aluminum wire will be available for purchase.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: $60, payable to instructor at the beginning of the workshop.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Maximum Participants: 8
Location: Regenstein Center, Design Studio
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Description: Water Jasmine is a flowering tree that produces fragrant white flowers that hang down below the foliage. They bloom in spring and in fall. Jasmine likes full sun, and moderate water and fertilizer. Tropical tree, keep away from freezing temperatures. Tools and wire will be provided.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: $30, payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop.
Skill Level: All
Maximum Participants: 8
Location: Regenstein Center, Design Studio
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Description: Learn with Mark Fields to style an Itoigawa Juniper, grown in a one-gallon pot. Participants should bring their own copper wire and tools.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: $125, payable to instructor at the beginning of the workshop.
Skill Level: Intermediate and up
Maximum Participants: 7
Location: Regenstein Center, Plant Science Lab
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Description: Learn about care and styling of a Japanese Black Pine. Participants should bring their own tools and copper wire, as well as a notebook and pencil for taking notes.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: $100, payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Maximum Participants: 10
Location: Regenstein Center, Design Studio
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Description: Chinese Elm is a deciduous tree that is cold hardy. Nice fall interest and lovey serrated foliage, it likes full/partial sun and moderate water and fertilizer. Water as needed and don’t let the soil dry out. Choose either a twisted or straight trunk in this workshop.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: $50, payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop.
Skill Level: All levels
Maximum Participants: 8
Location: Regenstein Center, Plant Science Lab
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Description: Join us for a hands-on workshop to learn all about caring for and styling beautiful Texas Ebony bonsai. Tools and wire will be provided during the workshop. Texas Ebony make great tropical bonsai with short branches, tiny dark leaves, and barky trunk. Trees should be outdoors in summer, and indoors under lights in winter.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: $40, payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop
Skill Level: All
Location: Regenstein Center, Design Studio
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Description: Join us for an intermediate workshop focused on shaping and styling 1-gallon Itoigawa Junipers. Please note that this workshop will focus on the initial styling of Itoigawa Junipers. Participants will not engage in repotting activities during this session, allowing for a concentrated exploration of styling techniques. However, guidance on future care and maintenance will be provided to ensure the continued health and vitality of your bonsai. General tools will be needed including Jin and Shari tools. There will be limted tools that will be available for sharing if you do not have one. Aluminum (1-4 mm) or copper (10-22 gauge) wire can be used. There will be aluminum wire available for sale at the workshop.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: $50, payable directly to the instructor at the beginning of the workshop
Skill Level: Intermediate and up
Location: Regenstein Center, Design Studio
Register securely at EventBrite