Harry Harrington's Prunus mahaleb/Mahaleb Cherry or St Lucie Cherry, It was collected by Nik Rozman in Slovenia and purchased by Harry 3 years ago at The Trophy Bonsai Exhibition. Here's a piece of what Harry wrote about it: "This has fast become a favourite bonsai of mine, not least because of the natural deadwood and memories of The Trophy, but also the fantastic pot combination by British master potter Victor Harris. The tree was also given full exposure in last year’s BBC filming."
We've got some of Harry Harrington's bonsai for you today. Not only is Harry one of the most prolific bonsai artists we know, his unique take on bonsai is both refreshing and inspiring.
A Korean Hornbeam neagari/exposed root-style bonsai, after pruning back.
If you've been following Harry, you've no doubt noticed how forthcoming he is when it comes to each tree's story, this one is no exception: "This stunning European Hornbeam bonsai returned to the garden on Friday. A nursery stock tree originally, I have developed it since 2009 with its original owner, and now it’s new owner. I’m writing a full progression series on it for a forthcoming magazine article and chapter in my next book. On Friday I moved the tree from a temporary Japanese pot into the original from Victor Harris. At the same time, we took the opportunity to reveal some new areas of nebari that has developed since the last repot. As can be seen, the nebari has improved in appearance."
Harry's Siberian elm freshly pruned. The pot is by Victor Harris of Erin Pottery.
A Silver birch waiting to be styled.
Harry's caption: "Just 6 years of development has taken this newly collected Hornbeam to where it’s at now. Excellent work Mimo Krištof! As he says in his own text here*, learn the methods that work and bonsai is then easy and rewarding."
One of Harry's Japanese maples and an important lesson by Harry on pruning that comes along with the tree: "Two really important points to make about the pruning of Spring growth; firstly new shoots are pruned back to the existing silhouette of the tree. This means that shoots emerging from the tips of an old branch are automatically pruned hard but new growth emerging from the interior are allowed to keep their new extension out to the silhouette. This helps to strengthen inner branches and in the long term builds better branch taper. Secondly, new shoots in the lower third of the branch structure are left alone for at least another couple of weeks to ensure that they are more vigorous and dominant than branches higher up on the tree."
Another of Harry's Japanese maples. This one is a threadleaf variety (Acer palmatum var. Dissectum).
That's Harry.
