BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN IS COMMEMORATING A CENTURY OF ITS FAMOUS BONSAI COLLECTION
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) is commemorating the centennial of its famous bonsai collection. Established in 1925, it is among the oldest and largest publicly displayed collections outside Japan, currently featuring more than 400 plants. BBG’s festivities commenced on June 14, 2025, and continued until October 19, 2025. Throughout this period, there will be an extended showcase of specimens—featuring a variety of the garden's tiniest bonsai—accompanied by gardening demonstrations and ticketed sake dinners
“Brooklyn Botanic Garden has been the proud caretaker of this remarkable bonsai collection for 100 years, fostering a practice that is equal parts horticulture, art, design, and patience,” says Adrian Benepe, president of Brooklyn Botanic Garden. “We are excited to see even more of these miniature trees—true works of art—displayed this year, including outdoors amid full-sized trees for a stunning comparison.”
Bonsai is a Japanese term that means “planted in a tray.” They are typically created to represent trees in their natural growth form, and almost any tree can be cultivated into a bonsai with appropriate consideration, trimming, and maintenance. Frank Masao Okamura served as BBG’s inaugural exclusive bonsai curator, holding the position from 1947 until 1981. He played a key role in shaping the collection as it stands now and cultivated bonsai from uncommon species, including tropical and semi-tropical varieties
The bonsai collection is housed in the C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum, and the anniversary is an opportunity to interpret the collection in new ways. “I change the display often and bring in flowering and fragrant trees as much as possible so that the visitor’s experience is always fresh and exciting,” says BBG’s C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum gardener David Castro. “We have so many bonsai, and this is such a rare collection, it’s easy to display something different.”
All displays and tours for the BBG’s bonsai centennial events are complimentary with entry. You have until October 19, 2025, to view this unique exhibition.
