HINOKI BONSAI CLUB
of
Roanoke, Virginia

 

About Us

 

The Hinoki Bonsai Club was organized in 1978 for the purpose of bringing together persons who have an interest in bonsai.  The Club provides an opportunity for members to develop an appreciation for bonsai and to develop their skills in cultivating bonsai by exchanging ideas, information, and experience with others.

 

A variety of lectures, demonstrations, discussions, workshops, and critiques are provided for members at monthly meetings.  The club periodically organizes field trips and sponsors or participates in exhibits for members to display their bonsai to the public or to special groups.  From time to time, the club sponsors programs by nationally known bonsai masters and teachers.

 

The club is a member of the Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs and holds its meetings at the Council’s headquarters building at 3640 Colonial Avenue S. W., Roanoke, on the third Wednesday of each Month, September through December, and February through July at 7:30 P. M.  Membership is open to interested persons. Annual membership dues are $20.00 for individuals and $30.00 for couples.

 

For more information contact

                   Kenneth Clubb, President, (540) 343-9975, Email KCLUBB43@aol.com                  or

            Peggy Senter, Secretary,  (540) 389-2700, Email SDPAS2@aol.com

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Club History (Genesis)

 

The Hinoki Bonsai Club developed from a small group who studied bonsai with Matsue Sisson in her home.    Mrs. Sisson, a native of Japan, had knowledge of bonsai as well as Ikebana flower arranging.  In 1978, after meeting in her home for several months, the group decided to form a club and meet once a month.  The name chosen for the club was Hinoki, which in addition to being the name of a popular form of cypress commonly used for bonsai, means “first one” in Japanese.

A newspaper notice of a meeting of the club and of a bonsai exhibit to be held at Belle Aire Garden Center, where Mrs. Sisson was employed, attracted the attention of several individuals who had been growing and practicing bonsai independently. These included Bob Murray, Dana and Bunky Markham, Marian Danco, and Evelyn Spencer.  They joined the club and became active members.

Interest in bonsai and the club swelled as a result of the establishment of a small bonsai business by Nancy Wimett.  This talented artist and teacher provided instruction, plant material, and supplies. Ms Wimett left the area to join the Peace Corps in 1985. In 1983 Julian Adams of Lynchburg, VA joined the club.  He subsequently developed a club in Lynchburg, the Central Virginia Bonsai Society, and has established a nationally known bonsai business, Adams Bonsai.  He has provided a resource for bonsai plant material and supplies, as well as being a generous provider of programs for the club.  The Roanoke and Lynchburg clubs have enjoyed excellent relations frequently sharing demonstrations and workshops by visiting bonsai experts.

 The club originally held its monthly meetings at the Roanoke County Library on Electric Road, then temporarily at a Branch bank of Mountain Trust Bank on Brambleton Avenue. In 1985 membership was acquired as a Plant Society in the Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs.  Meetings were held at the Council’s headquarters building “Fairacres” on Avenham Avenue in Roanoke until that property was sold. Since 2005, meetings have been held at the Council’s new building at 3640 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke.

The first public bonsai show mounted by the club was held in 1981.  Shows have been held yearly since then, greatly improving in scope, participation, and quality.  Shows have been presented at Tanglewood and Valley View Malls and at the Greenbrier Nursery in Roanoke County. A listing of shows and exhibits is included elsewhere in this site

Nationally and internationally known bonsai masters have given programs and workshops for the club on an almost yearly basis since Chase Rosade’s first appearance in 1982.  A listing of visiting masters and their program subjects is elsewhere in this site.

The club averages about 30 members each year. It has been fortunate to have a nucleus of long time, dedicated, and talented members who have generously participated in club activities and leadership. The club has attractive pins featuring the club logo, and there are special pins to award members and guests for special service to the club.

The club has participated in the annual Carolina Bonsai Expo at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville since October 2003.  As one of twelve participating clubs and societies from six states,  the Hinoki Bonsai Club has staged an exhibit at the Expo each year.  One of the club’s bonsai was awarded “Best in Show” in 2003, and the club was awarded “Best Club Exhibit” in 2007 and co-winner of “Curator’s Creativity Award” in 2008.