Years ago this azalea was much taller. Then the top died back. Then it was gifted to our garden, where we puzzled over what to do with it.
Here is the Satsuki ‘Yamato’ in 2017, a few years after arriving in the garden. The challenge was finding a new design for this decrepit former bonsai. Could a new one be made?
The plant was defoliated to see the structure. Then the top was cut to a promising side branch. The trunk didn’t have enough branches for its height, and looked sparse. And it lacked taper.
Quite a large cut. But in June you can do this. The branch to the right will be the new trunkline. The cut was later carved to resemble a broken-off branch.
Another view of this reworked azalea, near the new front. From a shallow taper tree we now have a fast taper tree—more squat, more “chunk”.
As the tree looked in 2021 after regrowth and positioning the new branches, 5 years after the redesign.
As the ‘Yamato’ azalea looks in June 2024, 8 years after the redesign. Thanks to a blog reader for suggesting a revisit to this bonsai!
Flower closeups. White is recessive in azaleas, so this one is not in danger of losing its color variety, yet.
Once upon a time a Pacific Tree Frog lived in this hole. My apprentice’s son, Gus, leant us his Lego frog for our froggy reenactment.
In froggy’s usual place.
Original post: Reworking An Old, Decapitated Azalea