Valerian as Kusamono?

I’m excited to see how this turned out. I love seeing Valerian growing out of old walls but it’s a little big for accent culture. Then my friend Mark, Rusted root bonsai gave me this really old lump of Valerian removed from a quarry I believe. I popped it into this pot and am watching with interest to see how pot culture shortens the flower stalks, if it flowers this year that is. I know Mark has a few more on the go so we’ll see what happens. Well done Mark for thinking outside the box. The fact that it is already a very old plant with lots of character makes it even more interesting. There’s even a little Sedum that was growing with it in the quarry.

Last Call for Kusamono Workshop

Looks like we are all set for a great workshop on Saturday, just trying to gather up the few remaining things needed to ensure everyone walks away with some great looking kusamono. Last item is decent moss for the kokedama which I hope to collect tomorrow morning.

If you want to join us just give me a shout via the contact me tab above.

Accent: Iris Gracilipes

In the garden today… Iris Gracilipes in Dan Barton pot. There’s a little bit of Spirea in there too self seeded. I’m leaving it to see what it looks like next year.

A few Accents

A few of my accents from this week. Many have still to fill out but showing the promise of what’s to come.

Allium

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Bluebell

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Mukdemia Rossi Walsall Ceramic Pot

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Rustyback Fern and sedum – Magic Ceramic Kusamono Tile

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Saxifrage sp. Magic Ceramic Pot

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Saxifrage Sp. Magic Ceramic Pot

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Crassula Socialis Magic Ceramic Pot

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Kusamono Workshop – 4th June 2016

After the success of last year’s Kusamono workshop I am pleased to announce the first of 2 workshops in 2016. In an effort to further the knowledge and interest in kusamono I’m holding a workshop on Saturday 4th June starting at 1pm in Newtownards.

The session will look at accents in general and specifically kusamono, shitakusa and kokedama (mossballs). We will look at examples of kusamono, how they are displayed and how plantings work when displayed with bonsai.  Participants will be able to select their own plants on the day, indeed the workshop cost of £30 includes 5 plants (to a max value of £25) from a large selection available! Can’t do better that that!! Feel free to bring your own plants to supplement your options and any pots you want to try. I will also have a selection of Magic Ceramic Pots available for anyone keen to add to their collection. One training tray will be supplied as part of the workshop with others available to purchase.

Last year we found participants also swapped and shared plants that were being split during planting, so you might go home with more than you bargained for.

The workshop open to all, tea and coffee available all afternoon, sign up via bonsaieejit@gmail.com  for a fun informal session and walk away on the day with your own special creations.

Here are some photos from last years workshop.

The mucky hands part of the session.

An example of the kusamono created on the day.

Mossballs kokedama created on the day.

All the final pieces.

Magic Ceramics available to buy

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Accents 2016 : Clematis Pixie

magicceramics.com

In case you haven’t noticed my friend Maciej Targosinski makes accent pots as well as an expanding bonsai pot portfolio. I believe in supporting local talent, yes, I count anyone based in Ireland as local! I have been helping Maciej get off the ground by selling some of his beautiful pots and now we have created a blogsite for him to share his ceramics journey with you.

Please pop over to Magicceramics.com and give it a look and follow his exploits. There is also an email sign up option in the sidebar for you to receive notification of any new posts.  Just click on the image below to visit his site. Feel free to comment when there and show your encouragement.

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Magic Ceramics are now on Facebook, click on the image below to visit his page and give him a like.

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More Magic Pots

I’ve just uploaded a new selection of Magic Ceramics accent pots to my FlickR Album. Some fantastic pots from Maciej Targosinski including some Kusamono dishes, tiles and even bonsai pots these days. It always pays to support local talent.  Prices are given on each photo description. Give me a shout via Contact Me if you are interested.

 

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Bonsai Europa 2015 – The Accents

I was really impressed by the accents at Europa. It’s a hard time of year to keep them looking in show condition but all looked great, seasonal and mature.

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Accent Rose ‘Roulettii’

Love this little rose, an old variety originally from China with a strong scent. Potted in a Stone Monkey Pot.

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