Larz Anderson Bonsai Collection, Historic bonsai collection at Arnold Arboretum, Massachusetts, United States.
The Larz Anderson Bonsai Collection is a specialized garden section within Arnold Arboretum in Massachusetts displaying about 35 Japanese miniature trees. Each tree is tended in a dedicated space designed for visitors to see these carefully maintained specimens up close.
The collection began in 1913 when Larz Anderson, serving as US ambassador to Japan, purchased 40 bonsai specimens from a Yokohama nursery. This purchase marked the start of a collection that became part of the Arboretum and continues to be maintained.
The collection shows how Japanese gardeners have cared for miniature trees across generations as a living art form. Visitors can observe trees that represent a philosophy connecting patience, nature, and human hands in patient cultivation.
Access to the collection is through the Arnold Arboretum grounds, requiring a short walk from the main entrance. Plan your visit during warmer months when the garden is most actively maintained and accessible.
The collection includes a Hinoki Cypress dating to 1737, counting among the oldest documented bonsai in North America. This single specimen has survived centuries of careful cultivation and represents a botanical rarity.
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