The Midwest Bonsai Society presents its 33rd Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition, renowned as the best in the Midwest and one of the top three in the country. This annual bonsai show and sale draws enthusiasts from all over the United States. Visitors can view a judged display of more than 200 specimens, as well as selections from the Garden’s own outstanding bonsai collection. Bonsai Master Hiroyoshi Yamaji will judge this year’s show.

More than a dozen vendors will offer everything bonsai related, including bonsai trees, raw nursery stock, pots, tools and supplies. Sale hours are from 9am to 5pm on all three days. Show hours are from 12noon to 5pm on Friday, and from 9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Free demonstrations and lectures will be held on Friday at 2pm and Saturday and Sunday at 10am and 2pm.

Seventeen workshops are presented for all levels of enthusiasts. Registration is required and materials fee varies. Visit midwestbonsai.org for more information. The schedule includes:

Friday, August 14, from 1pm. to 4pm

• “Return Service for Past Workshops” with Jim Doyle
• “Shohin Trident Maple” with Mike Hansen (all levels)
• “Japanese Black Pine” with Brian Ciskowski (advanced)

Saturday, August 15, from 9am to 12noon

• “Bring Your Own Material” with Hiroyoshi Yamaji
• “Black Hills Spruce” with Andy Smith (beginner/intermediate)
• “Japanese Larch” with Matha Meehan (beginner)
• “Brazilian Raintree” with Brussel Martin (all levels)

Saturday, August 15, from 1pm to 4pm

• “Juniperus Squarata Parsoni” with Jim Doyle (intermediate/advanced)
• “Cascade Azalea” with David Kreutz (intermediate/advanced)
• “Ficus Silicifilia” with Brian Ciskowski (beginner)
• “Shimpaku on Rock” with Frank Mihalic (all levels)

Sunday, August 16 from 9am to 12noon

• “Bring Your Own Bonsai” with Hiroyoshi Yamaji
• “Rosemary” with Frank Mihalic (all levels)
• “Roots over Rock” with Martha Meehan (beginner)
• “Chinese Elm” with Brussels Martin (all levels)

Sunday, August 16, from 1pm to 4pm

• “Children’s Workshop” with Frank Mihalic (ages 7-12)

The Mid-America Bonsai Show & Sale is part of the American Flower Show Series, a growing national horticultural program, bringing together amateur and expert gardeners and educators by offering floral exhibits and programs that focus on America’s favorite flower groups. Juried flower shows, floral displays, complementary workshops, demonstrations, lectures and plant sales occur regularly. Plant experts and plant society members are available to answer all questions.

Admission to the Chicago Botanic Garden is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden Members. For more information about any of the Chicago Botanic Garden’s programs and events, call 847-835-5440, or visit chicagobotanic.org.

About the Chicago Botanic Garden

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year, except Dec. 25. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit chicagobotanic.org, or call 847-835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden’s Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. A program of the Chicago Botanic Garden, Windy City Harvest is an organic vegetable and plant production enterprise that provides instruction in sustainable horticulture and urban agriculture to residents of Chicago’s North Lawndale and West Side neighborhoods.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). The Chicago Botanic Garden is also host to Botanic Gardens Conservation International-U.S., and a member of the Center for Plant Conservation. In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Julie McCaffrey, 847-835-8213
jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org