An extraordinary life in bonsai – artist, enthusiast, mentor and friend
Terry Adams was a highly respected and accomplished bonsai artist whose dedication, enthusiasm and exceptional attention to detail made him an influential figure within the British bonsai community. Over four decades, Terry developed an outstanding collection of trees, achieving both national & international recognition, always generously sharing his knowledge and experience with fellow enthusiasts. His contribution to the art, craft and science of bonsai leaves a lasting legacy.
Terry’s journey into bonsai began in the early 1980s, prompted by circumstances that would ultimately lead him to discover a lifelong passion. Having always enjoyed an active lifestyle, including gardening, sport and running, Terry developed severe arthritis in both hips as a consequence of a childhood illness. By the age of 40, he needed to find a pastime that he could enjoy without pain. It was his wife who first introduced him to bonsai, having spotted an article in a series of craft magazines she was collecting. What began as a simple curiosity soon developed into an extraordinary commitment to the cultivation and artistic development of miniature trees.
Initially, Terry described his efforts modestly as experimenting with ‘twigs in pots’. However, a visit to the National Garden Festival at Stoke-on-Trent in 1986 proved to be a turning point. It was there that he encountered what he considered to be real bonsai for the first time, inspiring him to take the hobby more seriously.
His early education included evening classes with Dave Pike, followed by membership of Swindon Bonsai Club, where he found a welcoming community of enthusiasts willing to share their knowledge. Terry was particularly grateful to Ron Moorcroft, whose encouragement and generosity helped shape his early development. As his confidence grew, he began exhibiting his own trees, learning from other exhibitors and refining his techniques through observation, discussion and practical experience.
Swindon Bonsai Club became central to Terry’s life. A longstanding member, former chairman and eventually a lifetime member, he played an important role in the club’s development and success. He took particular pride in its annual shows, having been closely involved in their establishment and growth. His enthusiasm, knowledge and willingness to help others made him a valued and inspirational presence within the club. He also regularly participated actively in the Artistic Bonsai Circle, enjoying the opportunity to exchange ideas and work alongside fellow bonsai artists, which is now the Classical Bonsai Circle (CBC).
Terry’s approach to bonsai was distinguished by his appreciation of trees in their natural environment. Rather than simply reproducing conventional bonsai styles, he sought to create convincing representations of trees as they might be seen growing in the British countryside. He was a particularly strong advocate for using native British tree species, believing that their natural character, structure and growth habits offered tremendous artistic possibilities.
His observations of trees in nature informed his approach to design, and he developed this interest further by delivering instructional lectures on the subject. Terry regarded bonsai as a genuine art form and took great satisfaction in discovering an artistic ability that he had not previously recognised in himself. Although he came from a family with artistic talent, he had once believed that this gift had passed him by. Through bonsai, he found his own creative expression.
Among his favourite species were pines and elms, although his collection encompassed a remarkable variety of trees, including yews, pyracantha, pomegranate, alder and other deciduous species. Many were developed from seed, cuttings or collected material, sometimes over several decades. His grey alder, grown from seed and developed over approximately 25 years, was particularly admired, while his collection also included impressive Siberian elms, Chinese cork bark elms and Japanese white pines.
One of his favourite trees was a yew with a special family connection. Originally grown from a seedling by his mother around 1980, it had subsequently been trained as garden topiary by his father before Terry acquired it and began its transformation into a bonsai. It was a wonderful example of the personal histories that could become intertwined with the development of his trees.
Terry was renowned for the exceptional quality of his deciduous trees, particularly the fine ramification and natural branch structures that he achieved through years of careful cultivation. He considered the level of ramification he had developed to be his greatest personal achievement in bonsai. His meticulous approach to feeding, pruning and maintaining the health of his trees reflected his belief that exceptional bonsai resulted from patience, observation and consistent attention over many years.
His talents were recognised well beyond Swindon. Terry exhibited extensively throughout southern England, Wales and Europe, including at the prestigious Noelanders Trophy in Belgium. He also travelled to Japan to attend the Kokufu bonsai exhibition, an experience that left a lasting impression. In particular, he treasured the opportunity to visit Japanese bonsai nurseries and view exceptional privately owned collections.
One of Terry’s proudest achievements was his involvement in the Federation of British Bonsai displays at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Working alongside Reg Bolton and other members of Swindon Bonsai Club, Terry helped prepare, construct and exhibit award-winning displays, contributing trees from his own collection. The team achieved numerous Chelsea gold medals, with Terry recalling their first gold as his greatest achievement as part of a team.
In 2010, the Federation of British Bonsai display at Chelsea was awarded the prestigious Holford Gold Medal, recognising the best amateur display across the Royal Horticultural Society’s shows that year. The majority of the trees exhibited were owned by Terry and Reg Bolton, representing a remarkable achievement for both artists and for Swindon Bonsai Club.
Terry’s outstanding contribution was further recognised when he received the Federation of British Bonsai Award for Distinguished Service to the Art, Craft and Science of Bonsai. This honour acknowledged not only the exceptional quality of his trees but also his dedication to promoting bonsai, particularly the artistic potential of British native species. He joined his friend and fellow Swindon Bonsai Club member Reg Bolton in receiving this distinction and was awarded lifetime membership of the Federation.
Despite his considerable achievements, Terry remained committed to learning and improving. He believed that exhibiting trees, studying the work of others and being willing to ask questions were essential to developing as a bonsai artist. He encouraged others not to be intimidated by exhibiting their own trees and recognised that different approaches and opinions were an important part of the learning process.
His advice was grounded in experience and often delivered with characteristic practicality. He understood that problems with trees rarely improved by being ignored and that early intervention, careful observation and attention to detail were essential. Above all, he appreciated the friendships that bonsai brought, enjoying the opportunity to work alongside others, discuss ideas and share experiences.
Beyond bonsai, Terry retained a keen interest in keeping fit, regularly attending the gym despite the physical difficulties that had originally led him to the hobby. He enjoyed exploring the countryside, visiting National Trust properties and gardens, museums and art galleries. He also discovered an unexpected enthusiasm for cooking, taking on the responsibility as his wife’s multiple sclerosis increasingly affected her ability to prepare meals. In time, he became an accomplished and adventurous cook, finding enjoyment in experimenting with recipes and developing his skills. He likened cooking to bonsai, observing that both improved with practice.
Terry’s life in bonsai was one of creativity, perseverance, friendship and remarkable achievement. What began as a way of adapting to physical limitations became a passion that enriched his life and those of countless others. His trees were not simply miniature representations of nature but the product of decades of care, imagination and artistic understanding.
His legacy extends far beyond the medals, awards and exceptional trees he cultivated. It lives on in the knowledge he shared, the friendships he formed, the inspiration he provided to other bonsai enthusiasts and the example he set through his patience, generosity and lifelong willingness to learn.
Terry Adams will be remembered as an exceptional bonsai artist, a dedicated supporter of Swindon Bonsai Club and the wider British bonsai community, and a man whose passion for trees and the natural world inspired all those fortunate enough to know him.
His contribution to British bonsai will be remembered with admiration, gratitude and affection.