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 Wisteria flowers are both beautiful and aromatic and come in a variety of colors, including purple, blue, white, and pink. Blooming in the Spring, they need lots of water with adequate drainage and they do well in partial shade to full sun. Just before they flower in the Spring, you should provide them with ample fertilizer, and once again in late summer before they drop their leaves.

Orange Jasmine is another alternative that will give both beauty to the eye and delight to the nose. Their wonderfully fragrant white flowers are accompanied by bright red fruit.

Starting in early spring and continuing through mid-autumn, feed Orange Jasmine every three to four weeks. Except in the hotter summer months when slightly more water is needed, only light watering is adequate for the rest of the year.

Orange Jasmine is one of the few bonsai that can be and probably should be raised indoors since it does better in moderate shade and filtered sun light.

Mimosa, occasionally called the silk tree owing to their long silky filaments, are as fragrant as either of the two choices above. Also just as lovely are their puffy flowers and lacy foliage.

The Mimosa’s flowers bloom in late April to early July and moderate water should be provided during the blooming season. However, you should avoid getting water on the flowers because, much like a number of other flowering plants, the flowers will quickly deteriorate when wet.

Be sure to give your Mimosa plenty of room in your display area as the Mimosa will be one of the larger bonsai in your collection. Because they grow rapidly and have large leaves, they are difficult to sustain in a very small size.

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.

Since they are sensitive to cold, they need to be moved indoors during periods of cold weather below 50F (10C). They will lie dormant but healthy when temperatures are in the range of 50F-60F (10C-15C) and will need very little water during this period.

These beautiful and fragrant flowering plants will challenge your bonsai gardening skills, expanding your horizons. They will provide an ever-changing display as they go through the seasons, blooming in the spring and losing their leaves in the fall, adding interest to your collection and when spaced amongst the more traditional evergreens, such as junipers, pines, and firs, they add a nice contrast.