Filtering by: August Exhibit Workshops
![Workshop: Collected Conifers with Golden Arrow Bonsai]()
Description: Design and wiring of collected conifers. A variety of collected trees will be available for purchase from Golden Arrow Bonsai for use in the workshop. Prices will vary, starting at around $100. Students should bring tools and wire - preferably copper (#16 to #6) or aluminum (2mm to 6mm). Wire is available for purchase if needed. Students may bring their own conifer/pine instead of purchasing with Andy's prior approval.
Registration and Materials Fee: $75 registration + separate purchase of tree directly from Golden Arrow Bonsai at the exhibition.
Skill Level: All
Location: Design Studio, Regenstein Center
Limit: 10 students
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![Workshop: Shohin Willow Leaf Ficus with Kawa No Oka]()
Description: Join Jason Parrish and perform a repotting and initial styling of of a Willow Leaf Ficus. The tree, a plastic training pot, and soil will be provided. Students should bring bonsai tools, as well as wire (1mm to 4 mm). Wire will be for sale if needed. Additionally, students may bring a 6” pot if they would prefer to pot directly into a ceramic pot of their choosing.
Registration and Materials Fee: $100
Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Location: Plant Science Lab, Regenstein Center
Limit: 10 students
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![Workshop: Bring your own Tree with Guest Master Jonas Dupuich (Sunday)]()
Description: A unique opportunity! Bring your own bonsai to this workshop to gain styling and care insights from our Guest Master Jonas Dupuich. This workshop has no materials fee.
Registration Fee: $85
Skill Level: All
Location: Linnaeus Room, Regenstein Center
Limit: 8 students
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![Workshop: Chinese Elm with BC Bonsai]()
Description: Style unique Chinese Elms with Linda Camp of BC Bonsai. Chinese Elm are a deciduous tree that are cold-hardy, with nice fall interest and lovely serrated foliage. The trees like full to partial sun and moderate water and fertilizer. Trees are cold-hardy zones 5-9. Students should bring tools if they have them. Wire will be provided.
Registration and Materials Fee: $110
Skill Level: Beginner and Intermediate
Location: Design Studio, Regenstein Center
Limit: 8 students
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![Workshop: Jacqueline Hiller Elm with DaSu Bonsai Studio]()
Description: Style a Jacqueline Hiller Elm (Ulmus elgantisma) with Dave Lowman of DaSu Bonsai Studio. Trees are in one gallon containers and should be replanted next spring by students. Students should bring tools and wire, though wire likely not required.
Registration and Materials Fee: $85
Skill Level: All
Location: Classroom in the Visitor Center
Limit: 8 students
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Description: Complementary wine and beer and soft drinks start at 5:00. The dinner is informal and will consist of ordered-in food. An amazing silent auction and raffle will be held during the dinner. The raffle will be for the tree styled by Guest Master Jonas Dupuich in the Saturday afternoon demonstration. The silent auction will be for items donated by our fabulous vendors and club members. Note that the dinner is open to members and non-members alike!
Location: Heller Nature Center in Highland Park (just minutes from the Garden)
Cost: $18
Limit: 35 attendees
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![Demonstration: Deciduous Bonsai Styling with Guest Master Jonas Dupuich]()
Description: Guest Master Jonas Dupuich will perform a styling of a Deciduous tree as it begins its journey to become a bonsai!
Registration Fee: Free
Skill Level: All
Location: Alsdorf Auditorium, Regenstein Center
No registration required!
![Workshop: Red Stem Sea Hibiscus with Kawa No Oka]()
Description: Join Jason Parrish and perform a repotting and initial styling of of a Red Stem Sea Hibiscus. The tree, a plastic training pot, and soil will be provided. Students should bring bonsai tools, as well as wire (1mm to 4 mm). Wire will be for sale if needed. Additionally, students may bring a 6” pot if they would prefer to pot directly into a ceramic pot of their choosing.
Registration and Materials Fee: $90
Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Location: Plant Science Lab, Regenstein Center
Limit: 10 students
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![Workshop: Japanese Black Pine with Yume-En Bonsai Workshop]()
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 and Materials Fee: $125
Skill Level: Intermediate
Maximum Participants: 10
Location: Design Studio, Regenstein Center
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![Workshop: Itoigawa Juniper With Bonsai by Fields]()
Description: Join Mark Fields of Bonsai by fields in styling one gallon Itoigawa Juniper with twisted trunks. Mark will provide students with instructions for aftercare.
Registration and Materials Fee: $150
Skill Level: Intermediate
Location: Linnaeus Room, Regenstein Center
Limit: 10 students
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![Workshop: Bring your own Tree with Guest Master Jonas Dupuich (Saturday)]()
Description: A unique opportunity! Bring your own bonsai to this workshop to gain styling and care insights from our Guest Master Jonas Dupuich. This workshop has no materials fee.
Registration Fee: $85
Skill Level: All
Location: Alsdorf Auditorium, Regenstein Center
Limit: 8 students
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Description: Tour the Chicago Botanic Garden’s bonsai collection with Chris Baker, curator, as he leads a walking tour around the two display courtyards and shares insights for the trees on display.
Registration Fee: Free
Limit: 12 students
Location: Meet in Burnstein Hall, Regenstein Center
No pre-registration required - limited to first 12 participants!
![Workshop: Portulacaria Afra with Waters Edge]()
Description: Portulacaria Afra, five-tree forest planting class. Included - 5 Portulacaria trees, 7” ceramic pot, soil and wire. Please bring your own tools (pruners and/or cutters)
Registration and Materials Fee: $100
Skill Level: Beginner
Location: Plant Science Lab, Regenstein Center
Limit: 8 students
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![Workshop: Trident Maple with BC Bonsai]()
Description: Perform styling on Trident Maples under the instruction of Linda Camp of BC Bonsai. The trees are in three gallon pots. Students should bring tools if they have them. Wire will be provided.
Registration and Materials Fee: $155
Skill Level: Beginner and Intermediate
Location: Design Studio, Regenstein Center
Limit: 8 students
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![Exhibition Critique with Guest Master Jonas Dupuich]()
Description: Join guest master Jonas Dupuich for a review and critique of select trees at the Exhibition. The Exhibition hall is closed to the public during this critique.
Registration Fee: $25
Skill Level: All
Location: Nichols Hall, Regenstein Center
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![Workshop: Tropical Tree Rock Planting with Green Witch Gardens]()
Description: Join Ellen Veselenak of Green Witch Gardens in a workshop focused on creating a tropical tree rock planting. Tropical tree, along with lace rock, muck, substrate, wire and moss will be provided. Participants should bring bonsai tools and wire, if available.
Registration and Materials Fee: $125
Skill Level: Intermediate
Location: Design Studio, Regenstein Center
Limit: 6 students
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![Workshop: Trident Maple Forest on Natural Stone Slab with Quattlebaum Bonsai Nursery]()
Description: A five tree planting, creating a Trident Maple forest on a natural stone slab.
Registration and Materials Fee: $190
Skill Level: All
Location: Plant Science Lab, Regenstein Center
Limit: 8 participants
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![Workshop: Imported Satsuki Azalea with Satsuki Bonsai-En]()
Description: Imported young Satsuki Azalea trees, imported in February 2025 - 15” tall, 1/2” truck diameter. Perform initial styling of these trees with David Kreutz. Please bring bonsai tools, as well as 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 wire.
Registration and Materials Fee: $200
Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Location: Linnaeus Room, Regenstein Center
Limit: 10 students
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Description: Questions on pairing scrolls with bonsai? Join this presentation from Kristy Majeske of Asian Artique to discuss a series of questions to ask yourself when choosing a scroll for a particular tree. After the presentation, join Kristy as she leads the group through the Exhibition to work through ideas. Handouts of checklists and symbolism will be provided.
Registration Fee: Free
Location: Regenstein Center, Alsdorf Auditorium
No registration required!
Description: Bring your own collected or unstyled nursery conifer (no deciduous or tropical), or one that you want to refine further, to this workshop to start it on its path to bonsai. Students should bring their own wire and tools.
Registration Fee: $40
Materials Cost: None
Skill Level: Intermediate to Expert
Maximum Participants: 10
Location: Design Studio
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![Kusa-Farm Premna Japonica Bonsai Workshop]()
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: Your child, with the help of our experienced Society members, will learn how to pot a bonsai, which they can take home at the end of the workshop. The registration fee covers the cost of the materials as well.
Registration Fee: $16
Materials Cost: none
Skill Level: Children 5-17
Location: Regenstein Center, Burnstein Hall
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![Dasu Raft Dwarf Arborvitae Bonsai Workshop]()
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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![BC Bonsai Narrow Leaf Buttonwood Bonsai Workshop]()
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 unique opportunity! Bring your own bonsai to this workshop to gain styling and care insights from our Guest Master Jack Sustic. This workshop has no materials fee.
Registration Fee: $80
Materials Cost: none
Skill Level: All Skills
Maximum Participants: 8
Location: Regenstein Center, Design Studio
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Description: Drinks, complementary wine and beer and soft drinks start at 5:00. The dinner is informal and will consist of ordered-in food. An amazing silent auction and raffle will be held during the dinner. The raffle will be for the tree styled by guest judge Jack Sustic in the Saturday afternoon demonstration. The silent auction will be for items donated by our fabulous vendors and club members. Note that the dinner is open to members and non-members alike!
Location: Heller Nature Center in Highland Park (just minutes from the Garden)
Cost: $18
Register securely via EventBrite!
Description: Your child, with the help of our experienced Society members, will learn how to pot a bonsai, which they can take home at the end of the workshop. The registration fee covers the cost of the materials cost well.
Registration Fee: $16
Materials Cost: none
Skill Level: Children 5-17
Location: Regenstein Center, Burnstein Hall
Register securely via EventBrite!
![Kawa No Oka Tiger Bark Ficus Bonsai Workshop]()
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: Guest Master Jack Sustic will perform a styling on a Colorado Blue Spruce. See a raw, un-styled tree, start its journey to become a bonsai.
Registration Fee: Free
Location: Regenstein Center, Alsdorf Auditiorium
No registration required!
Description: A unique opportunity! Bring your own bonsai to this workshop to gain styling and care insights from our Guest Master Jack Sustic. This workshop has no materials fee.
Registration Fee: $80
Materials Cost: none
Skill Level: All Skills
Maximum Participants: 8
Location: Chicago Botanic Garden, Visitor’s Center
Register securely via EventBrite!
