Bonsai Starter Workshop: Transform a Classic Juniper into Your First Bonsai We’ve been quietly perfecting our bonsai craft in the background for years… refining techniques, experimenting, making mistakes, learning what works, and now it’s time to spill the secrets. In this playful, hands-on starter workshop, we’ll take a classic Juniper tree and guide you step-by-step through transforming nursery stock into a structured, styled bonsai. This is the species most people picture when they think of bonsai: textured foliage, beautiful movement, and incredibly forgiving for beginners. What You’ll Learn • How to achieve a desirable bonsai without waiting years• How to find and define the “front” of your tree• Understanding trunk movement and basic bonsai design principles• Structural pruning - what to remove (and what not to touch)• Introductory wiring techniques to create shape and flow• Potting and positioning your bonsai properly• Aftercare essentials so your Juniper thrives long after the workshop What’s Included • Your own nursery stock Juniper• Bonsai pot and soil• Use of bonsai tools and wire during the session• Step-by-step guided instruction You'll initially be taken step-by-step through the process of transforming your Juniperus procumbens nana along with the entire class, and in the highly-likely event that you are immediately caught with the bonsai bug (guilty-as-charged) you will have the option to create a second Juniper or an Australian Native bonsai. Held in our lush tropical studio in a convenient urban location, you’ll learn from the team surrounded by greenery, good energy, and people just as curious as you are. This workshop is perfect for slowing down, creating with intention, and finding joy in the tiny details. After the workshop, you’ll also have the opportunity to purchase high-quality bonsai tools and materials - because once you start, you probably wont want to stop! And as with all Two Green Men workshops, you’ll receive 20% off in-store purchases on the day - the perfect excuse to expand your plant collection or invest in tools while you’re feeling inspired. PRICINGSINGLE JUNIPER - $99Bonsai Pot Dimensions - 16x12x6Nursery Stock - 12-14cmD JUNIPER + JUNIPER - $149Bonsai Pot Dimensions - 16x12x6Nursery Stock - 12-14cmDJUNIPER + AUS NATIVE - $149Bonsai Pot Dimensions - 16x12x6Nursery Stock - 12-14cmD So...what actually is Bonsai? Bonsai (literally meaning “tree in a tray”) is the art of growing and shaping miniature trees in containers to reflect the beauty and movement of full-sized trees in nature. While the practice has roots in ancient Chinese penjing, it was refined and developed over centuries in Japan into the art form we recognise today. At its core, bonsai is not about stunting a plant, it’s about careful cultivation, pruning, wiring and long-term design. You are working with the tree’s natural growth patterns, guiding it over time. And that’s where the magic is. Why Learn Bonsai? • It sharpens your observation skills• It builds patience and long-term thinking• It’s creative and deeply therapeutic• It’s a skill that compounds over time• And yes - it’s seriously impressive to say “I made that!” There’s something powerful about taking an ordinary nursery plant and turning it into a living piece of art. Workshop bookings are non-refundable. Transfers and store credit may be available with sufficient notice. Read our full policy here
