UBE 2024 Show Highlights
The annual Trophy in Belgium is widely regarded as the central EU bonsai show, and deservedly so. I was lucky enough to see it in 2015 and felt I’d only once before seen that level outside of Japan, in Taiwan.
Less known to those outside the EU is the UBE convention and show in Spain. This is a Spain-only show, which given the quality of the trees speaks volumes about how deep a bench the EU presently has.
Much as I am proud of our momentum over here in the Americas, hats off to Spain. Though they have superb imports, they are also working with European natives at that same level: Sabina Juniper, Scots Pine, Mugo Pine, Olive, Myrtle, Oak and Elm.
In a few weeks I’ll share photos from Luis Vallejo’s Bonsai Museum, and others from David Benevente’s garden—at both locations, trees of dizzying beauty. All in Madrid, Spain. (Which is shorthand to say if you’re anywhere near Madrid, stay for a day of bonsai.)
Enjoy the photos!
European Yew
Itoigawa juniper
Olive
Cryptomeria
Mugo Pine (Triple prize winner—this tree also won First Prize Conifer at the Trophy 2023)
Olive
Elm
Myrtle
Cork Oak
Japanese White Pine (from the Iwasaki collection)
Scots Pine
European Yew
Elm
Sabina Juniper
Myrtle
Chinese Juniper
Japanese White Pine
Silverberry
7 Comments
Wow! Bitch’n trees… thanks Michael!
Quite impressive! So glad you could be there!
I’m so glad you were able to attend! I greatly appreciate your sharing. It is exciting to see such excellent trees.
Ruth Anderson
We did just that on our trip to Madrid! Such a wonderful vacation. Both bonsai gardens were superb! We also went to the Madrid Botanical Garden, but the bonsai display there was not well taken care of. Also while the visit to Luis Vallejo’s Bonsai Garden was most impressive, bonsai and design of the space, with Luis rock work and planting, I wish the city had done more with the design of the park that the museum was located in. The park itself was a huge disappointment. Looking forward to your next stories! Our trip February 2019
Totally agree especially about ´the City´s lack of cooperation with the Luis Vallejo Bonsai Garden and its surroundings. Visited the LVJB last April….Hoping to repeat next Easter.
Impressive trees indeed…thank you Michael for sharing the images!
The second picture in your post is according to UBE’s blog a Juniperus Sabina. “PREMIO UBE MEJOR COMPOSICIÓN DAI – Juniperus sabina – Felipe Leal”