BonsaiExpoUK has long been the EBPC's favourite UK show of the year!

Although not in any way 'elitist', this special exhibition has always striven towards helping everyone to consider, appreciate and improve, both the quality of their bonsai but also of the quality of displays in the U.K. The organisers are to be commended for their consciensious hard work, and efforts. Even outside of the event, having gone to the lengths of organising 'display' workshops and talks by professionals in preparation for this exhibition. 

The intricacies of bonsai display are fascinating, and executed with consideration and thought, can result in our trees being showing at their very best - highlighting the trees most favourable characteristics, and reinforcing the trees 'story' through the accompanying elements within the composition.

Having started as an evolution from a long running club level show (Heathrow Bonsai Show), in recent years BonsaiExpoUK has continued to rise in popularity, in the quality of trees and displays, and in the incredible atmosphere at this buzzing event. 

Last year, the entire display was dedicated to the pots of the great potter and painter: Itou Gekkou of Seto.

For me - the chance to display these great pieces and discuss the details of his pots and compositions with friends and enthusiasts is priceless. ​​

This year, the pot display will introduce & celebrate the works of some of the most successful and collectable of Japanese bonsai potters.

​I won't say too much before the exhibition, but there will be a blog article after the event.

​The EBPC will also be trading, and have some fantastic new pots from some of your favourite European artists - kept back especially for this event!

I am very excited to show off the great new pots we will have available - and to chat trees and pots with friends and customers (some are both!). 

If you can make it to Crawley on the 13th of April 2025, this is certainly an event not to be missed! 
​
Thanks, and see you there,
Alex

​Many of the best trees in the U.K. were on display as well as suiseki and bonsai ceramics. The traders area was a treat for enthusiasts and traders alike, with trees from some of the UK's leading bonsai nurseries, pot dealers, potters, sellers of tools and everything else a bonsai aficionado could want! 

For a better idea of what was on display, Sylvestris Studios were comissioned to create a video documentary of the show, which is definitely worth a watch.
​ You can find it here. ​

The EBPC were asked to put on a bonsai pot display, which this year was in the theme of cascades. 'The Ups and Downs of Bonsai'.  
Here are just a few pics (didn’t get a minute to get more!) of the day and of some of the pot display.  It was great to meet up with old friends as always.

​ … pictured above - Les Storey with one of his winning trees, a stunning blackthorn in a gorgeous Stone Monkey pot … an excellent windswept Hawthorne display by Russ Farley, displayed on a table by DR Bonsai Tables … and I was nursed back to health by frog boy, Simon Haddon of Sukteki bonsai pots

A few of the pots on display .. 

​A few people were heard saying that this was the best show in the UK to date, and the quality, not only of the trees, but also of the intricacies of display, was very impressive. It is quite obvious from the exhibition that British enthusiasts are paying more attention to quality pot, stands, accents and display details. With some of the displays being at a high standard for a show anywhere in the world. 

www.EuropeanBonsaiPotterCollective.com

Sunday 8th April saw the much anticipated first Expo Bonsai U.K. exhibition, located just outside West London. This show is set to be the largest show in the South of England, and in time may well grow into one of Europe's great shows. 

The European Bonsai Potter Collective is proud to support this great new event, and in addition to trading and displaying a tree, the EBPC are also proud sponsors for the trophy for 'best pot and tree combination'.  I would like to express a warm thank you to all of the EBPC / B4Me team for your hard work and great company on the day! I can confidently say we all had a very enjoyable day. From left to right: Maarten, Mark, Tom, Alex, Harry, Sean & John. 

The tree I entered, is an Arakawa maple in a pot by Peter Krebs. The table is by Doug Mudd, and the pyracantha accent is in an Ino Shukuho pot.

A few trees I was very impressed by ... 

Huge congratulations to all of the winners who are listed below ..  including Simon Temblett who won the EBPC sponsored trophy for best tree and pot combination with this stunning Hawthorne in a nanban style pot by Dan Barton. The rustic design of the nanban with the 'kink' to the rim, compliments the ragged deadwood of the trunk wonderfully! 

Here are the final results of the show. 

BEST IN SHOW, SUPPORTED BY SARUYAMA BONSAI: JOHN PITT, BLACKTHORN.
BEST LARGE DECIDUOUS DISPLAY SUPPORTED BY GREENWOOD BONSAI STUDIO: MARK & RITTA COOPER, TRIDENT MAPLE.
Runner up: Steve McKee.
BEST LARGE CONIFER DISPLAY SUPPORTED BY KAIZEN BONSAI: MO FAGAN, CHAMAECYPARIS.
Runner up: Dean Morgan.
BEST MAME/SHOHIN DISPLAY SUPPORTED BY WINDYBANK BONSAI: JOHN ARMITAGE.
Runner up: Mark & Ritta Cooper.
BEST ACCENT PLANTING SUPPORTED BY LEE VERHOREVOORT BONSAI: JOHN PITT.
Runner up: Andy Jordan.
BEST TREE/POT COMBINATION SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN BONSAI POTTERS COLLECTIVE: SIMON TEMBLETT.
Runner up: Ian Cuppleditch.

We would like to thank the organisers, Steve, Mark, Brian, Ming and Tony as well as all of those who helped out in the organisation and running of the event. A superb job was done by all in putting on an extremely enjoyable and great quality bonsai exhibition. We will be back for future events!