Learn How to Appreciate the Ancient Art of Bonsai

Denver Botanic Gardens (DBG) will unpack its bonsais from winter storage this month, which means Larry Jackel will soon resume his accidental espionage. As a bonsai specialist at DBG, Jackel spends much of his days meticulously pruning the tiny trees he’s harvested in the Rocky Mountains, and he can’t resist eavesdropping as patrons admire his work. He’s never happier than when guests liken his diminutive arbors to the full-size versions they’ve seen elsewhere, whether that’s a gnarly ponderosa pine near a trailhead or a giant ficus on a beach. “For me, that means I’ve succeeded,” Jackel says. This summer, DBG will host the American Bonsai Society’s annual learning convention from June 8 to 11 (from $125). Classes include a seminar led by Jackel on how to appreciate bonsais. It’s more complicated than it sounds, and even flora sophisticates are sure to gain a greater understanding of the way a twisted trunk, for example, can engender a sense of character. But to Jackel, the most important element to consider is wonder, which is why he will begin his students’ educations by asking: “What do you see?”