The majority of bonsai gardeners stick with the more common coniferous, deciduous, or fruit trees when creating their bonsai art collection. However, more exotic bonsai varieties can be found that permit the bonsai artist to further develop his or her skills.

Wisteria is a fine alternative to the more traditional bonsai. A native of Japan, Korea and China, it can reach 30 feet in the wild. Shaping one into a bonsai is an interesting challenge, in as much as they don’t conform to any of the normal styles.

The flowers can assume a variety of colors such as white, blue, pink, or purple and are both aromatic and beautiful to the eye. They bloom in the spring during which time they need an ample amount of water, so long as there is sufficient drainage. Wisteria can do well in a wide range of lighting conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade. Provide good amount of fertilizer in spring just before they bloom, then again in late summer before the leaves drop.

If you love fragrant flowers, an excellent option is Orange Jasmine which produces a bright red fruit and fragrant white blossoms, bringing both delight to the nose and beauty to the eye.

Feed Orange Jasmine every three to four weeks starting in early spring and continuing through mid-autumn. Only light watering is adequate for most of the year, with slightly more required in the hotter summer season.

Because they generally do better in moderate shade or filtered sun, Orange Jasmine is one of the few bonsai that can, and should be raised indoors.

With lovely puffy flowers and lacy foliage, the Mimosa tree offers another good alternative. They are as fragrant as either of the above choices and due to their long silky filaments they are sometimes called a silk tree.

The Mimosa blooms in late April to early July, during which time they should be given moderate water. However, you should avoid getting water on the flowers because this will cause the blossoms to wilt rapidly and deteriorate.

If you choose to cultivate a Mimosa, it will be one of the larger bonsai in your collection since they have large leaves, grow rapidly, and are difficult to maintain at a very small size, so be sure to give then adequate room in your display area.

The Desert Rose is another exotic bonsai that can turn a rather run-of-the-mill collection into one full of interest and color. A native of East Africa, it can grow up to 10 feet in the wild, producing large, pink, trumpet-bowl blossoms.

Requiring lots of fresh air and ample sunshine, the Desert Rose should be kept outside most of the year. However, their very bushy habit makes them a fine complement to the more traditional bonsai set in your collection.

That is of course unless you live in a cold climate because they’re sensitive to cold, so in cold climates they should be brought indoors when the temperature drops below 50F (10C). Though they will lie dormant and healthy from 50-60F (10C-15C), they don’t thrive below 50F (10C). During this period they will require very little water.

Take the challenge and extend your design horizons by trying your hand at a few of these beautiful and fragrant flowering plants. Placed amongst some of the more common evergreens – pines, junipers, firs and others – they provide a nice contrast. You’ll also have an frequently-changing display, as they bloom in the spring and shed their leaves in the fall.