Niwaki and bonsai are beautiful and noble plants that can decorate a garden or interior. But these are different in terms of content and specifics of the technique. Let's figure out together why they are different from each other.
The difference between niwaki and bonsai
Bonsai is a plant that looks like a copy of some other large tree. The term translates as "grown in a tray". So, bonsai is a small indoor plant that is grown in a small container. It is used to decorate the interior of an apartment or as one of the elements of a home garden.
Niwaki is a completely different story. The term is translated as "garden tree", and there are two types of plants of this type:
- Japanese. It is the same as bonsai, but larger. This is also a copy of a large tree, but due to its size, it is suitable for growing outside.
- European. Has no clear boundaries. It can be made from a variety of trees and have any size.
Within these, there are also eight different niwaki styles with distinct trunk and crown requirements. The choice depends on the landscape of the area and the overall design concept. Read more about it in the following articles of our blog.
In a very rough summary, niwaki and bonsai are the same style of plant formation, and the main difference between the concepts lies in the dimensions they imply. But from the point of view of philosophy, the European approach is the supremacy of man over nature, and the Eastern approach is a harmonious relationship with it.
What to choose: bonsai or niwaki
It is better to choose a bonsai for the house. It can be from 15 to 120 centimeters in height. It can be grown from ficus Benjamin, hawthorn, bougainvillea, calamondin and pomegranate. Bonsai require less time for care, the principles of formation are simple. You can take the plant with you when you move, give it away or sell it, or even just move it from one place to another.
Niwaki is better suited for the street, as its height reaches 2-3, and sometimes even 5 meters. It looks good as the only plant in the yard or as an element of a large garden composition. Thunberg pine is usually used for its cultivation; Japanese cedar, maple and evergreen oak, as well as various types of camellias.
Growing niwaki is more difficult, but the result is more impressive. The art of niwaki is the subtle skill of removing all the unnecessary and not touching the necessary. At the same time, everything is subordinated to the general plan and concept, where even a large tree requires delicate work with the branches and trunk.