This is the newest member of the bonsai herd, a Gray Cotoneaster. Pronounced "caton-e-aster" I am told. Which was amusing... because I had always thought of it as "cotton-easter". Learn something new everyday around here!
I gave it a good trim as it was as leggy as a 2 year old colt. I think it must have a very straight kind of growing habit, by it's structure. So I imagine it will be a lot of clip and grow as I go, and a lil wire to throw off all those straight lines. But within it I found a pleasing place to call the front (though it was the back when I started..lol - Always be prepared to change your mind!). And I was very happy to unearth this fun lil base which just adds nicely to the whole feminine flavor. I think in time it'll make a right nice shonin. I would rather reduce it a bit more, but I wasn't sure exactly how it would respond to a heavy pruning... so I let it go as enough with how it looks now. It was reduced by more than a third of it's initial height/spread.
Didn't measure it, but I figure it to be about 14 inches tall with a 3/4 inch base.
It may not be the most inspired crown, but I like it's very interesting base and nebari. And of course... it's all just a place to start.
I would surely appreciate comments from anyone with cotoneaster experiance/information.
Kindest Regards,
Victrinia