Penjing: A traditional Chinese art

The art of growing miniature trees (penjings) in containers originated in China over 1,700 years ago. It became especially popular during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties and made its way to Japan in the 11^th century. It is thanks to Japan that growing miniature potted trees (bonsai in Japanese) now enjoys such tremendous international popularity.

Why do penjing stay so small?

Penjing are ordinary trees, not hereditary dwarfs. These plants sometimes grow quite tall in the wild. The first penjing were plants collected in the wild. They had been dwarfed and shaped over the years by severe weather and their harsh environment.

The penjing grown by enthusiasts today are deliberately kept small. Their roots and branches must be pruned repeatedly and new shoots pinched back frequently. The art of penjing lies not only in dwarfing these trees, but also in training them into aesthetically pleasing shapes. Penjing are veritable living sculptures.