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.

An example of an exotic choice is Wisteria, a plant native to Japan, Korea, and China which can reach more than 30 feet in size in the wild. Not conforming to any of the traditional bonsai styles, Wisteria can make for an interesting challenge.

With both beautiful and aromatic flowers that come in a variety of colors, such as, white, pink, blue and purple, Wisteria can be an excellent choice. Wisteria blooms in the Spring at which time they need lots of water but with adequate drainage. Wisteria does well in a wide range of lighting conditions, from partial shade to full sun. To maintain healthy plants, be sure to provide them with ample fertilizer just prior to they bloom in the Spring and once again in late summer prior to losing their leaves.

Another good choice is Orange Jasmine which will provide a delight to the nose and beauty to the eye. Orange Jasmine bears a bright red fruit and fragrant, white blossoms.

Feed Orange Jasmine every three to four weeks starting in early spring and continuing through mid-autumn. Light watering is sufficient for most of the year, with a little more needed in the hotter 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.

The Mimosa tree, also sometimes known as silk trees due to their long silky filaments, offer another good choice. They are as fragrant as both of the two choices mentioned above and their puffy flowers and lacy foliage are also just as lovely.

Moderate water should be provided to the Mimosa during the blooming season which is from late April to early July. However, care should be given to avoid getting water on the flowers themselves, since the flowers will rapidly deteriorate when wet, much like a number of other flowering plants.

Mimosa grow rapidly, have large leaves and are somewhat difficult to sustain at a very small size so the Mimosa will probably be one of the larger bonsai in your collection. So be sure to give them plenty of 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.

Very bushy, the Desert Rose makes a wonderful design complement to the many common trees in a standard bonsai collection. However, they need plenty of fresh air and abundant sunshine, so keep them outside most of the year.

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.