On a road trip through Oregon, Eric had the pleasure of visiting Michael Hagedorn's (owner of Crataegus Bonsai in Portland) garden and taking a guided tour with Carmen Leskoviansky (IG: @becomingbonsai). They discuss Michael's unique style of bonsai design, Carmen's bonsai journey, and the formation of the Purple Pot Society! As you watch this video, remember, "bonsai doesn't have to be so serious all of the time!"
00:00:36 Carmen has been the Bonsai Collection Specialist at Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum since 2011. In February 2018 she began training with Michael, and has been apprenticing with him for almost a year.
00:01:41 Carmen and Eric discuss a pretty famous collected Vine Maple composition, which is Carmen's favorite tree from Michael's collection.
00:02:21 How do you feel about the terms "feminine" and "masculine" in bonsai - do you agree that "elegant", "curvy", and "powerful" are more appropriate and modern descriptors?
00:03:20 Michael's Mountain Ash is unique; Carmen shares a story of creating a subtle display for it.
00:04:14 Blueberry Bonsai - unusual and delicious! With pretty, delicate flowers in the spring and berries in the summer.
00:04:46 A favorite accent plants / kusamono is the maiden hair fern, which is currently unfurling.
00:05:19 Meet Vivian, the yard cat 😉
00:05:45 Purple Pot origin story: during a trip to Japan, Carmen picked up an azalea with bright pink flowers. It's quite a stand out in it's bright purple pot!
00:07:32 Giant old Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria) in an antique pot.
00:07:49 How Carmen came to the decision that she will get a tree in a purple pot into the National Bonsai Show!
00:09:30 Carmen introduces the Purple Pot Society, which she founded with Samantha Holm, who is also a member of the Rocky Mountain Bonsai Society.
00:10:50 How can bonsai folks get involved? Visit www.purplepotsociety.org/ to learn more!
00:12:22 Sam had an incredible series published in the The Journal of the American Bonsai Society (www.purplepotsociety.org/post....
Which of Michael's trees is your favorite? What species do you think would look amazing in a purple pot? Let us know in the comments below. Thank you for watching; please like and share this video, and subscribe to our channel!