Join us for a "Bonsai Learning Experience"

May 05, 2017

Only a few weeks until our 13th Annual May Bonsai Exhibition - Join us for a "Bonsai Learning Experience" - Full details of the Exhibition are available at our May Exhibition Page

News and Updates

Midwest Bonsai Society's News and Updates about the site.

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Just Over One Week Away! 48th Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition

about 4 weeks ago

Just over one week away, the 48th Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition returns to the Chicago Botanic Garden! Join the Midwest Bonsai Society and Guest Master Boon Manakitivipart for three days of tree displays, vendor sales, workshops, and much more!

All details are available on our August Exhibition page, including sign-up links for workshops, our full vendor list, schedule of events (including our ever-popular Saturday night banquet), volunteer opportunities as well as our online tree registration page for those interested in showing their tree in this judged-show.

The exhibition runs Friday August 14, 12 noon to 5 p.m., as well as Saturday and Sunday August 15 & 16, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

See you there!

Mark Your Calendars! 48th Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition - August 14-16, 2026

about 3 months ago

Our website is now updated with initial details of our 48th Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition! Join us August 14th through 16th at the Chicago Botanic Garden for one of the region’s largest Bonsai exhibitions. Guest master Boon Manakitivipart will join us to judge and critique exhibited trees. Vendors from across the United States will be bringing their wares, including trees, supplies, pots and more. Workshops are to be announced soon. Keep watch on our August Exhibition webpage for more details in the coming months!

One Week Away! 20th Annual Spring Bonsai Exhibit May 16 and 17

about 3 months ago

We’re one week away from our 20th annual May Bonsai Exhibit, to be held at the Chicago Botanic Garden on May 16th and 17th.

Come see our show that focuses on education and trees in training. Have a tree you’re interested in sharing with others to increase awareness of how a bonsai is made? Tree registration (free) is Friday May 15th.

Along with trees on display, vendors will also be selling trees, pots, accents, tools and soil for all your springtime bonsai needs! Select vendors also will be presenting workshops on various bonsai topics - registration costs vary, and seats are still available!

The May Bonsai Exhibit runs May 16th and 17th from 9 AM to 5 PM at the Regenstein Center at the Chicago Botanic Garden. While the show is free, regular garden admission rates and parking apply. More details are available on our webpage dedicated to the May Exhibit. We hope to see you there!

Full 2026 General Meeting Program Schedule Released!

about 6 months ago

The full 2026 General Meeting program schedule is now live on our website at our Meetings page! The board is excited to have a mix of programs this year by our own members, as well as those by regional and international guest artists!

As always, members are welcome to bring trees to the General Meetings for help, care and styling advice from our members.

Mark your calendars - we look forward to seeing you at these events!

2026 Midwest Bonsai Society Updates!

about 7 months ago

While it’s cold outside, planning is already underway for the upcoming year’s Society events!

Our popular May Exhibit will return to the Chicago Botanic Garden May 16 - 17, 2026 - stay tuned to our website as we announce later this early spring, vendors and workshop opportunities, as well as details on showing your tree-in-training at this non-judged show. Details will be announced on our May Exhibit page.

Additionally, our 2026 General Meeting schedule is now locked-in - while we continue to work through our programs for each meeting, mark your calendars now to attend our monthly meetings at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Annual Holiday Potluck - December 3rd

about 9 months ago

The annual Midwest Bonsai Society Holiday Party is Wednesday, December 3, 2025. The setup is at 5:00 pm, dinner 6:00 to 8:30 pm.

Where: Heller Nature Center
2821 Ridge Road, Highland Park, IL 60035

When: Tuesday, December 3rd - 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Bring a pot luck dish if you can, and any item you would like to donate for the evening’s free raffle. The Society is providing drinks. This is a great opportunity to renew friendships and meet new Bonsai members.

Final Day! 47th Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition

about a year ago

It’s not too late! The final day of the 47th Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibit is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Come see the award-winning trees, find pots, accents and trees to grow your own collection, or sign-up for one of today’s remaining spots in our ever-popular workshops! It all happens in the Regenstein Center at the Chicago Botanic Garden. See our August Exhibition page for full details!

Tree Registration Now Open - 47th Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition August 15-17, 2025

about a year ago

With just over two weeks to go until the 47th Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition, tree registration is now open for those looking to exhibit a tree in the show.

Tree drop-off is Thursday August 14th from 3-7 PM - speed-up tree drop-off by pre-registering your tree via our secure online form. The form, as well as other pertinent information for registrants is available on our August Exhibition page.

47th Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition August 15-17, 2025

about a year ago

Less than two months until the 47th Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition, being held August 15-17, 2025 at the Chicago Botanic Garden!

The Midwest Bonsai Society is pleased to announce that Jonas Dupuich will be our Guest Master. Workshop schedules are being announced, with online sign-up available soon. As always, our popular Dinner and Auction will return, as well as demonstrations, tours and other events surrounding the Chicago Botanic Garden’s world-class bonsai collection. Our full list of attending vendors will be announced, shortly. Those details, as well as the full workshop schedule, event details and tree registration information are available on our August Exhibition page. See you in August!

July - Workshop and Meeting

about a year ago

We are pleased to announce that tropical bonsai expert, Mike Lane from Kitsune Bonsai in Florida, will be the Guest Speaker at our next general meeting on July 7th at 7 pm. He will be presenting about all things tropical. As an added benefit, he will be doing a "Bring Your Own Tree" workshop from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm in the meeting room for individuals looking to improve their tropical and deciduous trees. The workshop is $40 for our members. If you don't have a tree that you want to work on, he's bringing some of both his tropical and hardy tree stock with him for purchase. This is a great opportunity to get some expert advice on your trees. More information is available on our meetings page.