Last month, William N. Valavanis hosted the 9th US National Bonsai Exhibition in Rochester, New York. The event brought bonsai enthusiasts together from across the US and around the world to enjoy an awesome exhibition, a superb collection of vendors, and a weekend of bonsai programs.

This year’s judges, Toru Suzuki from Japan, Tony Bebb from Australia, and Pedro Morales from Puerto Rico, selected the twelve award-winners shown below.

Rounding out the weekend, the American Bonsai Society hosted their annual Learning Seminar at a nearby hotel. The event featured workshops, lectures, and demonstrations plus a huge bonsai pot competition (more on that in an upcoming post).

As part of the Learning Seminars, I led two sessions at the National Exhibition itself: a bonsai critique focusing on design and display, and a guide to shopping in the vendor area.

Here are photos of the award winners. I’ll share more photos from the event next week.

The National Award – Finest Bonsai Masterpiece
Black pine

Joshua Roth Award – Finest Evergreen Bonsai
Juniper

Michael Blanton Award – Finest Deciduous Bonsai
Japanese maple

Bonsai By Fields Award – Finest Medium Size Bonsai
White pine

Joshua Roth Award – Finest Individual Shohin Bonsai
Black pine

Custom Oriental Woodcraft Award – Finest Shohin Bonsai Composition
White pine, black pine, oriental bittersweet, dwarf Asian jasmine, Chinese hackberry, trident maple

New England Bonsai Gardens Award – Finest Classical Literati Bonsai
Black pine

Bonsai Travel Award – Finest Companion Combination

Award-winning tree/accent combination
Hinoki

Futago Bonsai Award – Finest Tropical Species
Ficus

American Bonsai Society North American Award – Finest North American Species
Bald cypress

National Bonsai Foundation All American Award – Finest American Species, In An American Container
Lodge pole pine

Judges’ Special Award – Excellence In Bonsai
Pine

Next up, a look at more trees from the 9th US National Bonsai Exhibition.