(Many bonsai are made to look as if they were an adult tree, including proportion, shape, and foliage.) Pick a tree whose natural shape lends itself to the pruning and/or shaping plan you have in mind. Part of the fun of growing a bonsai tree is gently pruning and shaping it until it's exactly how you want it - this can take years. Finally, when you've narrowed your search to the healthiest, prettiest plants, imagine what each plant will look like after it is pruned. When choosing a plant, look for a vibrant, healthy green leaf or needle color to make sure that the plant is healthy (however, keep in mind that deciduous trees can have different-colored leaves in the fall). Once you have decided which kind and what size of Bonsai you would like, you can go to a nursery or a bonsai shop and select the plant that will become your bonsai tree. Visualize the finished product while selecting a plant. Finally, some non-woody tropical plants, like jade and 'snowrose', are good choices for indoor environments in cool or temperate climates. Deciduous (leafy) trees are another possibility - Japanese maples are especially beautiful, as are magnolias, elms, and oaks. Other conifers commonly cultivated as Bonsai trees include pines, spruces, and cedars of many varieties.In addition, juniper trees are easy to raise - they respond well to pruning and other 'training' efforts and, because they are evergreens, never lose their leaves. These evergreens are hardy, surviving all across the northern hemisphere and even in the more temperate regions of the southern hemisphere. One particularly beginner-friendly variety of Bonsai tree is the juniper.The staff at your local garden supply store will be able to help you if you're unsure. Before starting a Bonsai tree, make sure the species you've chosen can live in your area - especially if you plan on having an outdoor tree. For instance, some trees die in freezing weather, while others actually require the temperature to drop below freezing so that they can enter a dormant state and prepare for the spring. When selecting a species, it's important to consider the climate that the tree will be grown in. Many woody perennials and even some tropical plants can be made into Bonsai trees, but not every species will be appropriate for your unique location. Select a suitable species of tree for your climate.

Purple japanese bonsai tree