Bonsai

Bonsai are woody trees and shrubs that are trained and pruned to stay small while keeping the proportions and character of full-grown specimens. What unites the group is the long-term craft behind it: regular trimming of shoots and roots, careful wiring or shaping of branches, and growth in shallow containers that restrict the plant's size. Many are kept outdoors in a garden, on a terrace or on a balcony, where they follow the seasons, while tropical and subtropical kinds are grown indoors in bright rooms. They serve as ornamental and contemplative plants, valued for their sculptural form. Unlike ordinary houseplants or dwarf shrubs, they are defined by deliberate styling and continuous maintenance rather than by naturally compact growth.