Bonsai Artificial Ground Cover

Adding moss or other living ground cover to your bonsai design can result in a beautiful complement to your tree. Or, it can be a distraction. The goal is to keep the tree at the center of the viewers attention. But that needn't mean it must be the only thing the audience looks at every moment. You can add pictorial elements that provide balance and interest without overwhelming the scene.

One means of achieving that goal is to add sculptural items around the ground beneath the tree branches. Some are cheesy - miniature Buddha have been way over done. But some are elegant, tasteful and even beautiful in their own right.

Deadwood is a popular choice, and for good reason. Gnarled bits of wood add a natural looking element, while at the same time many are a delightful combination of art and artifice. Curved branches of the same species help lend a natural appearance in miniature - the goal of every bonsai design.

Take care when using deadwood, however, that it doesn't become a source of potential disease or decay in the tree or other ground cover. Even tree branches long dead can break down, as they do in nature, and add to the soil. Most of the time that's harmless. But, over-wet deadwood of certain types can support the growth of fungus and soil bacteria.

A mixture of lime and sulphur will bleach the wood and kill most common types that could be troublesome. That bleaching may not be suitable for all types, however, for esthetic reasons. In this case it's possible to counter the effect by using coffee grounds or stain.

Armillatox is an effective herbicide, with anti-bacterial, fungicidal properties. But many wood stains also contain compounds that do more than simply change the wood's color. Many kill organisms.

There are other, more artificial-looking but still beautiful, items that can be added to your bonsai design. Buddha statues may be overdoing it, but a small ceramic or stone sculpture can add a wonderful touch. There are literally hundreds of choices, everything from a small tiger to a completely abstract shape with colors that highlight rather than detract from the tree.

A tiny ladder leaning against the trunk of a miniature fruit tree adds a comic touch. While most bonsai artists will avoid miniature human figures, a pebble-sized ceramic frog can be more than just an artistic addition. In Japanese lore, frogs are said to bring good luck.

Of course the pot itself can be, and often is, a design element. Pot selection in bonsai design is a course by itself, but a few basics can be mentioned. The shape should be appropriate for the species and design, and the color and material should work with not against any ground cover elements. If you have flat-texture stones or sculpture and subtle wood elements on the ground, a highly colorful and shiny pot will clash with them.

Let your imagination roam. Every bonsai design is as unique as the designer.