What a fun day, informative, creative and social learning about the art of accents and kusamono with Ritta and Mark Cooper.
Their extensive knowledge of bonsai, Japan and showing bonsai was incredibly useful explaining the key principles of what accents are, how to use and create them and what are the main considerations and concepts behind them.
After the morning presentation and discussion, Ritta then did a demonstration of how to put together both a mixed accent planting and a kusamono. Then it was our turn to have a go and get creative.
Everyone had bought in a wide range of plants, pots and moss and got stuck in after lunch to selecting, potting up and mossing their creations. We had a lovely surprise as Zelijko and his wife Ivana joined us for the afternoon and it was so lovely to see them again.
We used keto tsuchi as the main soil to bind the planting together to help the placement and topped the pot up with a finer Akadama dust then top dressed with moss to stop any soil showing.
The types of plants used included grasses like Blood grass (Imperata cylindrica), Hakonechloa Japanese forest grass, Carex (sedges), Ophiopogon both the black and green forms.
Equisetum Scirpoides: miniature mare’s tail, Miscanthus and Leptinella Plants.
Ferns were also used and could include, Davallia spp. (Davallia ferns), Asplenium trichomanes (maidenhair fern) and Pyrrosia ferns.
The flowering Plants could include Saxifrage Dianthus (carnation), Phlox, Viola, Daisy, Thymes, Bugle, Leptinella, Mini hosta, Persicaria capitatum, Houttuynia cordata, and Sisyrinchium. Try to find dwarf or miniature varieties though.
Succulents are used to and the key thing to remember for mixed planting is to try to use plants that all like the same conditions. Fortuitously Ritta had bought a range of suitable plants, pots and keto for us to buy if we needed.
In summary an accent planting (or shitakusa) for a bonsai display is a companion piece that reflects the season, scale, and habitat of the main tree. It should not extend higher than the bonsai table the main tree sits upon.
It should be harmonious in proportion, have seasonal appropriateness, contrasting shape, and use natural or aesthetically pleasing container.
Everyone made a range of amazing shitakusa and kusamono, it was a lively and inspirational day.
