Sageretia Bonsai – Chinese Sweet Plum (Fruiting)

Sageretia Bonsai - Sweet Plum (Fruiting) - Expert Overview by Lloyd Noall

Value for Money

Rated 5 out of 5

Easy to Grow

Rated 4 out of 5

Styling

Rated 4 out of 5

Sturdiness

Rated 4 out of 5

Seasonal Variation

Rated 5 out of 5

Our in-house bonsai master Lloyd Noall has been professionally growing bonsai trees for nearly 40 years. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience and offers top insights to all aspects of growing bonsai. Lloyd gives us his views on The Chinese Sweet Plum or Bird Plum (Sageretia theezans) species of indoor bonsai tree.

“The Chinese Sweet Plum is a sub-tropical evergreen bonsai from the Rhamnaceae family. It is not frost hardy, but is perfect for indoor gardening throughout the year, but would benefit from being outside for periods during the summer months”. It is a highly sort after species of indoor bonsai, native to China and Japan which is easy to grow and ideal for beginners.

“The bonsai bark is smooth and reddish-brown, with patches that flake away to reveal lighter brown spots”. This peeling pattern gives the bark a distinctive and attractive look.

“The Sageretia theezans, features small, glossy green leaves that are often flushed with blush red/bronze tones”. Throughout the year, these leaves provide a lush, dense canopy. “The bonsai also produces tiny, inconspicuous white flowers that give way to small, round, dark blue to purple fruits, offering wonderful seasonal variation”.

“The branches of the Sweet Plum respond well to pruning and will ‘back-bud’ easily to form a lush canopy of naturally small, well-proportioned leaves”. These trees are great for beginners to try to shape and style themselves, as the branches are easy to manipulate and redirect. “It generally displays and elegant yet strong and sturdy structure”.

Interestingly, during the 17th century, bonsai had become one of Japan’s most cherished art forms, and had far surpassed its popularity in China, despite having originated there. Over time, “Japanese high society began bringing bonsai trees indoors, initially reserving them for special occasions”. And thus, the art of indoor bonsai gardening began.

Lloyd and his team offer a wide range of Sageretia bonsai trees in different sizes, styles and ages. They represent great value for money when you consider the years of work involved and are available for every budget.

Lloyd has decades of experience in the art of bonsai and is the founder of Bonsai Direct. He started selling bonsai trees commercially in 1995, nearly 30 years ago.

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