Growing Bonsai in the Gulf Coast and Central Texas Area

Traditionally, bonsai are grown outdoors all year long and brought into the house for display only on special occasions. It is, therefore, a must to consider the needs or the plant over the desires of the grower. In theory, almost any woody plant can be grown as a bonsai since, by definition, a bonsai means something grown in a shallow dish. In more temperate climates, evergreens have become very popular because they keep their foliage and look the same all year. Growing bonsai in more tropical or desert-like regions presents challenges while offering new opportunities. Along the Gulf Coast  and Central area of Texas we experience sustained high temperatures during the summer and rains that range from very heavy to nonexistent. Avoid plants that cannot take these extremes. A fairly good rule of thumb is to look for Texas natives or introduced varieties that have proven their ability to make the adjustment. Start with "volunteers" from your garden, find in the wild or are inexpensive, hardy nursery plants and add others as you become more experienced. I particularly recommend Yaupons because they are readily available, can be pruned to almost any shape, do very well even in full sun and are green all year long. Some plants, even natives, will need to be watched for signs of too much sun and moved into a more shaded area during the height of the Texas summer. I also recommend growing common moss as a "ground cover." This is both attractive and will help prevent soil from being washed out during heavy rains.

• Acacia (Acacia farnesiana)
• Barbados Cherry (Malpighia glabra nana)
• Boxwoods, Harland or Korean
• Crepe Myrtle (Lagestroemia indica)
• Dwarf Elm (Ulmus parvifolia sempervirens hokkaido)
• Dwarf Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria nana)
• Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
• Flowering Quince (Chanomeles speciosa)
• Gingko (Gingko biloba)
• Holly (Ilex dimorphophylla) - a species holly
• Holly (Ilex vomitoria)-  yaupon holly
• Parsley Hawthorn (Crataegus marshalii)
• Rosemary (Rosemarinus offieinallis)
• Sophora (Sophora affinis)
• Sweet gums (Liquidambar styraciflua) - great for a "forest" effect.
• Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora)
• Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus)
• Texas Ebony (Pithocellobium flexicaule)
• Taxiodium distchicum - Bald Cypress
• Juniperus procumbens - Weeping Juniper (the mall bonsai!)
• Acer rubrum - Red Maple
• Ulmus crassifoloa -  Cedar Elm (species name to be added)
• Pinus thunbergii - Japanese black pine

 

An excellent site to visit for more information about Bonsai is  Bonsai Web

Just remember that other sites talk about bonsai plants that may not be adaptable to the Gulf Coast's warmer climate.   Please return to GULF COAST AND CENTRAL TEXAS GARDENING  for more horticultural information.