In 1925, Ernest F. Coe, a landscape designer and nurseryman from Connecticut, donated a collection of Japanese trees and shrubs to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Now, a century later, the garden is marking the anniversary of that gift with a months-long tribute to the art of bonsai and the individuals who have shaped its legacy.
Today, the Garden’s bonsai collection includes nearly 400 living specimens — including three trees from Coe’s original 1925 donation: a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), a daimyo oak (Quercus dentata), and a Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora).
“Brooklyn Botanic Garden has been the proud caretaker of this remarkable bonsai collection for 100 years, fostering a practice that is equal parts horticulture, art, design, and patience,” said BBG President Adrian Benepe.
Much of the collection’s growth and influence is credited to Frank Okamura, a Japanese-American horticulturist, World War II internment survivor, and BBG’s first bonsai curator.
In 1947, Okamura arrived in New York and soon began working at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where the bonsai collection had dwindled to just 11 specimens. Over the next three decades, he transformed it into a national treasure, expanding the collection to 1,000 trees and introducing American audiences to the nuanced discipline of bonsai.
Okamura also pioneered the use of tropical and subtropical species — such as ficus, serissa, natal plum and citrus — making bonsai more accessible for indoor cultivation in New York. Many of the trees he trained remain on display today, still housed in their original containers.
This summer, visitors can enjoy rotating seasonal displays at the C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum, curated by BBG bonsai gardener David Castro. Highlights include a 500-year-old Rocky Mountain juniper styled in a dramatic cascade and a trident maple with roots coiled around a stone like weathered fingers.
“We have so many bonsai, and this is such a rare collection,” said Castro. “I try to keep the display dynamic — with flowering and fragrant trees whenever possible.”
Complementing the horticultural exhibits is “The Mountain, the Tree, and the Man,” a manga-inspired installation by graphic novelist Misako Rocks! Told through the eyes of a bonsai tree, the story follows a young Frank Okamura as he navigates postwar America while caring for the garden’s collection. A restored 1971 documentary about Okamura will also screen in the Conservatory Gallery, offering a deeper look at his legacy.
Beyond the museum, the celebration extends throughout the garden. Yellow Magnolia Café and Canteen will serve Japanese-inspired dishes and drinks all summer, with special sake dinners scheduled for September. Weekend bonsai tours will be offered in June, followed by monthly guided walks through October.
The on-site shop, Terrain, has also expanded its bonsai offerings to include trees, tools, planters, and exclusive merchandise featuring Frank Okamura’s original illustrations on tote bags and card sets.
Festivities officially begin Saturday, June 14, with expanded exhibits, live music and guided tours. Most events are included with Garden admission. For more information, visit bbg.org.
