Identification

• The art of growing dwarfed ornamental trees and shrubs is known as bonsai, an ancient gardening technique common in Asian culture. It originated in China and was further developed by the Japanese. The tree is grown in a small pot or tray and pruned to maintain the miniature size of the plant.
  
  

Size

• The goal of bonsai is to approximate -- in a smaller example -- the shape and form of a tree as it would be discovered fully mature in the wild. The Virginia Cooperative Extension service indicates that bonsai trees range in size from 5 inches or under to approximately 30 inches in height.
  
  

Selection

• Not all plants or trees will work as bonsai specimens. The trunk, branches, twigs, leaves, flowers, fruits, buds and roots all should end up perfectly proportioned to the rest of the tree. The trunk should produce the perspective of maturity and have an attractive bark. Browsing nursery stock is a good option for finding appropriate bonsai for the home or garden.