2009 Kusamono

Lovely Kusamono.

The flowering ones are Rhodohypoxis varieties. There are lots lof lovely dwarf Hostas. Just Google "dwarf hostas" with the quotes and you should find many nurseries that can provide you, or simply click on my site in my signature. The grass is Hachonechloa macra 'Aureola' and the little succulent is probably a Jovibarba or if not, a Sempervivum.

As I understand it, according to Kora Dalager & other authorities, kusamono is a tray landscape of a collection of herbaceous plants, although it may include a tree seedling. It can be the focus of a display, instead of a bonsai. A single potted accent plant is properly a shitakusa. It is supposed to be displayed in a low unobtrusive pot on a flat slab or coaster, and complement the bonsai, which is the center of attention. The shitakusa reflects the season of the year, the habitat of the bonsai, or the theme of the display. One of those miniature hostas would be a perfect complement to a Korean hornbeam. There is some resistance among purists to using tropical shitakusa, but they would be perfect for tropical bonsai. How about a micro-mini sinningia with a Brazilian rain tree (except during an exhibit, you would have to change it every morning, since they are terrarium plants)?
Iris

I think Iris got it right. Strictly speaking, these are accent plants, not tray landscapes.

Pots from Victor Harris:

Hello everyone. I'm new at this forum and I thought I pitch in my 3 cents worth. I find the Japanese terminology a little confusing until I read Kora Dalager's article "Shitakusa Versus Kusamono". According to the author, a kusamono can be a single plant or a combination of plants. What differentiates it from a shitakusa which compliments a bonsai is that a kusamono IS the display. In short, it is the "top dog" and Penjing's little gems fit that description perfectly.

Here's a link to Kora Dalager's enlightening article http://www.snowcrest.net/windowboxnursery/articles/kora.htm


Cheers.
Michael

Same hosta "Teeny weeny bikini" with much more flowers:



And Rhodohypoxis "Lilly jean" in tokoname pot:

Rob Kempinski wrote:Nice photographs of accent plants. Have you tried mixing different species in the same pot? They might be a bit more artistic.

It depends very much on how the kusamono is used. As bonsai accent the kusamono (grasses in a pot) or shitakusa (flowers in a pot), have to be much understated in its expression, not taking over the scene, but just supporting the bonsai it is interacting with.
Planting more plants together may overdo the expression, unless very carefully performed, or accompanying a very expressive tree and free informal display.
If the kusamono or shitakusa is used alone, much more freedom is present of course.

Many beutifull accents posted :-)

Best regards
Morten Albek

Many thanks Morten.


Yes, i prefer simplicity. Minimalism to baroque

The best is a plant with a single flower: one pot, one plant, one flower. A very emotional serenity emerges from such a composition. I am working on it.

Pandora's box in a Tokoname pot

Sublime!

wonderfull plants and pics .... as ever.

....and you have got a new avatar.....looks like you have married a few days ago......

kind regards and congratulations

Klaudia & Martin

Many thanks.

In bloom since a couple of days

I love this one.
Shapes reminds me of chickens or ducks hanging in the window of an Asian food store

Lovely Dicentra Spectabilis Alba, or White Bleeding Hearts. Now I'll never be able to see them as hearts, just hanging Chickens!

Penjing wrote:I love this one.
Shapes reminds me of chickens or ducks hanging in the window of an Asian food store

If you turn them upside down and pull them slightly apart they look like an alien sitting in a space ship. Try it if you remember next year.

Really funny flower

To add to what Smithy said, the alternative name for Dicentra is 'Lady in a boat' or 'Lady in a bath'.

For information , the alternative name in french is : Heart of Marie "Coeur de Marie"

A pic of my garden

An other

Hello

cute photos

Will someone please tell me what this is? It is beautiful!!!!!


[quote="Penjing"]