THREE FEATURE PRESENTATIONS

THE "HEATHERS"

Join newbie Kev as he introduces his friends, the “Heathers.” 

Sort of. 

These plants may be true friends to a newbie bonsai enthusiast, but they are false. False heathers: Cuphea hyssopifolia

Kev unpacks the confusion, makes the case for this untraditional choice for bonsai, and like the musical, asks what happens when you invite the Heathers into your life and things get dramatic.

Down the Rabbit Hole: A Cascade Crisis

We all have problems but some people are daft enough to make them public. This summer Dean realized he had a bias against cascade style.

This makes absolute no sense, it’s probably the most recognizable style. Everybody likes them but why has Dean been avoiding them?

Let’s jump down the rabbit hole with him while he tries to untangle his subconscious bias.

The Trophy 2026 — A Report from Europe's Premier Bonsai Exhibition

Richard will share highlights from his visit to The Trophy 2026, held February 28–March 1 at Limburghal in Genk, Belgium. Now in its third decade, The Trophy is widely regarded as Europe's leading international bonsai exhibition, organized annually by Bonsai Association Belgium. This year's edition featured live demonstrations by Japanese master Shinji Suzuki and his son Hiroaki Suzuki, a tribute exhibition of Suzuki-san's trees making their European debut, tokonoma presentations by Nippon Bonsai Sakka Kyookai Europe, a special prize for the best chokkan (formal upright) style, a curated display of trees from the Udo Fischer collection, and a kakejiku (scroll) exhibition. With over 4,000 m² of competition floor and an equally large traders' area, The Trophy brings together top-caliber bonsai, suiseki, and bonsai ceramics from across the continent. Join us as Richard recounts the experience and shares what's happening at the forefront of European bonsai.