Bonsai Northwest

The Hubs and I learned how to wire and shape our first bonsai here through a workshop by the Puget Sound Bonsai Association (PSBA). It was such a great experience. Helpful staff and an excellent selection of bonsai, planters, and accessories. When we’re ready to buy more bonsai someday, we will buy them here.

Exceeded expectations! It has a great location but it was far enough that it took a few months to schedule the trek. They even stayed open a little late on a beautiful Friday so our 12 yo could pick out his birthday present. Very knowledgeable staff. Not pretentious with a beginner. It was fun walking around. They have a great space.

I bought a nice large Black Pine with a truly gnarly shape today, for $ 65.. Beautiful started Junipers for under $ 20. Super nice owners will help pick out a good tree.
I love the large collection of epic wild collected trees from all over the world.

Bonsai Northwest is a small business run by a mother/​son team of bonsai enthusiasts with years of experience training and caring for bonsai. You won’t find a better bonsai store and nursery in the Puget Sound area. Nobody even comes close. The space itself is a fairly large indoor and outdoor nursery containing hundreds of bonsai trees on display including the usual conifers and deciduous varieties. Junipers are the most common, but they have pines, maples and others. I have seen a few ficus, but they don’t really carry tropicals. Makes sense given that the Pacifc Northwest is not accommodating to tropicals most months of the year. Bonsai Northwest also carries supplies such as bonsai potting soil, wires, tools and pots. If you need something bonsai, chances are they have it. I agree with other reviewers: the prices for off-​the-​shelf trees are reasonable and you could get a very nice tree for less than a $ 100.
This brings me to classes. If you love bonsais or are just interested in maybe learning more about them or even starting to train your own tree, Bonsai Northwest’s classes are an excellent introduction. I recommend reading a few books before the class, so you’ll have a sense of the different styles and techniques. It’ll make the class more rewarding. You could also check out the Puget Sound Bonsai Association, which is a Seattle-​based bonsai club dedicated to bonsai education.
I don’t recommend buying a tree anywhere unless you are willing to invest a bit of energy learning about bonsai tree care and training techniques. Most trees are quite hardy, but neglect will coudl kill a tree. They do require some long-​term care such as appropriate watering, timely pruning and fertilizing and repotting every two years.
Finally, John and Sharon know their stuff and they are usually happy to help you with a question or give you advice regarding your tree.

I’ve passed this place a few times wondering what it was all about. My boyfriend is a fan of bonsai trees, so one day him and I decided to check it out. The selection of trees are pretty good. Most of the trees were presented nice, and the layout of the place made it easy to walk through. There was one bonsai tree that caught our attention, which was the Japanese Red Maple, we asked how much it was and if it was available. The owner snickered at us, didn’t seem like she wanted to help and answered with, «A lot.». We then politely asked her how much was a lot, and she said, «HA, it’s $ 475». We had other questions, but she didn’t seem to care. There was another couple in the nursery who were white, that was treated much better. I don’t know, but the owner made it seem to my eyes that she may have been some what prejudice or even racist. I was pretty much done with the place since the owner’s comment about the price of the tree annoyed me. Great selection, but 2 stars for poor service and attitude.

I think in terms of bonsai stores in America, this has to get at least 4 stars, because how many shops of these trees can there really be, let alone a huge green house full of them? The only reason I didn’t give 5 stars is because the employee that helped me was not especially informative, although she seemed knowledgeable. Maybe it was just because she was closing the store soon, but I was hoping for some more help in picking out a tree. I went to a bonsai store in Detroit once and the employee that helped me was very passionate and talked at length about the trees, and basically everything I would need to know to make a decision and care for it. That was not my experience here but to be fair she did at least provide me with short answers to my questions.
Okay, so after that lengthy story about their service, I will say that this was a very large greenhouse filled with all sorts of different bonsai, all different sizes, shapes, and types. I thought the prices were very reasonable. You could walk away with a very nice tree for around $ 75 – 100, but they have marvelous trees for much more, but also smaller, but still adorable, more affordable trees.
They carry all of the supplies you need and offer lessons as well. I will try to see what else is in the area as far as bonsai, but am pretty sure I’ll be going back in few months for another tree, depending on if I can care for this one properly or not!

Bonsai ! Cool.
I forgot how much I liked these little trees. They make you feel really big ! There is something about them that relaxes you. I was feeling really annoyed by just about everyone I saw for the past few days. Then I drove all the way down to Tukwila to look into little trees for a wedding gift. The growers were milling about watering and shaping trees and left me to my business, which was a needed respite from the over-​attendant attendants at regular stores. It took a while wandering through the store like a lumbering giant to finaly pick out a good spiral shaped japanese juniper. My mood was further mollified by a calico cat and spotted dog that had passed out together in the sunshine at that other plant store on Ballard. Even I had to admit that was cute. And I dont even use the word «cute» !

If your into Bonsai then you have already been here. Its a quaint little Bonsai nursery and supply store just off of I-​5 by the airport. They sell many different kinds of indoor and outdoor Bonsai. They stock all the supplies that you would need, and even offer classes. Go when you have extra time I always seem to get kinda lost in looking at everything. Cool little place to check out even if you dont intend to buy anything. Its also the only full service Bonsai nursery in the Seattle area.