The best start is usually with something relatively 'native' to your environment and local nurseries are where to look for those, as you'll at least not have to worry much about wintering trees beyond a little protection. Rosemary are great if they'll grow there year round - just be careful about watering too often, or at least be sure the soil mix is fast draining (lots of grit), which generally applies to almost any bonsai, except maybe azaleas, which always need lots of water. You can also buy tropical house plants anywhere and turn them into bonsai, but consider if you can supply the heat, humidity and (usually) extra lighting they need indoors (except in summer when they should go out). Your climate's great as it will let you grow almost anything. You can bonsai wisteria for weeping, or willows, whatever suits you within the general parameters of bonsai candidates, which are usually things that at have relatively small leaves (though they can eventually be reduced over time, some better than others - but fruit will never 'shrink', so use either small types like crabapple, cherry, etc, or be prepared to regularly cut them off before they get large). You also want to look for things (and you may have to politely dig a bit to see them) whose roots at least have a semblance of being radial, rather than all being in one big knot to one side (though the odd one like that can eventually be interesting, but you'd need to read up on advanced techniques to make it work), and most important, having a little 'movement' in the trunks - unless you want a tree to grow in the 'formal upright' style, the trunk shouldn't grow straight up and down, but have at least 1 or 2 curves, jogs, etc., though not ones made by grafts, which rarely look good and are only ever 'accepted' if low and inconspicuous. Taper's important, but can be designed in, however trees with too many higher 'bar' branches (two coming off the trunk opposite each other, or more than one per height level) can create lumps and reverse taper unless you know you can prune and carve to get rid of them over time. Most bonsai are created by chopping trees of 5+ (many +'s depending) years right down to either lowest existing branches or below (but you need to know which will 'back bud' below as not all do) and growing new smaller ones with more twigginess (ramification) over a few years, and it may be done a few times, all of which increases taper and the look of an older tree's proportions of a fattish trunk with small foliage. But there is SO much more to it, so many techniques, and you're not going to learn properly from a few online tips, so do try to find a local club to join and see how things are done, do read lots of books, and definitely start here:- www.evergreengardenworks.com/articles, www.bonsaihunk.us/cultural/html (for indoor trees), www.bonsai4me, and get a sense of what it's all about - those sites are surprisingly comprehensive! If you have access to the Sunset Books (those big mags at home centers) there's a good basic one on bonsai too.

Thanks for the fast reply. I have been to a few places online and haven't as of yet found any type of bonsai club. The place I live is relatively small so i'm thinking I may not be able to find one although I do beleive that would probably be the best place to start given the benefit of having people who are experienced and being able to see first hand some of the things that up til now I have only been able to read about. I was toying with the idea of starting from seed because that would be easier for me money wise and would give me time to find some contacts that wouldn't mind offering me the benefit of thier trials. You mentioned that my climate woudl let me grow almost anything but didn't make any mention of plants that I might start out with. Any particular suggestions that woudl be good for a beginner? Perhaps something that can be worked with sonner than the 5 years you mentioned. Rosemary grows great here if left alone outside. I started with a twig about 5-6 years ago and since it has developed into a 7ft in diameter monster that ate my herb garden lol. Ah well, it was so cute and small when I got it, i chalk that up to my own ignorance =) also any idea if lavender woudl do for a bonsai? My mother had gotten me one a few years back and it stayed relatively small as i never repotted it. It grows similar to rosemary it seems as far as the leaves and branching so I was curious. Thanks again for the info!

Hi - check out the clubs listed here (all I did was advance google bonsai club NC). They're real clubs, that you attend in person (ya, I know, unheard of these days :-). As well, they'll have a much better idea of what's good to grow there and what's for sale than I would up here. Rosemary's a PITA to grow sometimes, water issues and all that, so it wouldn't be my first choice, but feel free...

NORTH CAROLINA - Asheville
Blue Ridge Bonsai Society. Meets at 2 p.m. the second Sunday of each month except July and October at the Botanical Gardens at Asheville, 151 W.T. Weaver Blvd., Asheville,NC. Call (828) 658-4152.

NORTH CAROLINA - Charlotte
The Bonsai Society of the Carolinas, the oldest bonsai club in the Carolinas, normally meets the second weekend of each month at the Bonsai Learning Center at 4416 Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte, NC. Meetings vary between Saturday and Sunday, depending upon the availability of the speaker. Both beginner and advanced programs are offered. Out of state artists are frequently featured. Annually, the society sponsors a bonai pavillion at the Southern Spring Show in Charlotte, NC. This event is usually the last week in February. For more information, visit the society web page - http://www.bonsaicarolina.com For more info contact: Bob Wymer, 8328 Kapplewood Ct., Charlotte, NC 28226, tel: (704) 541-5776 or Tel: (24 hour bonsai hotline) - (704) 552-6551

NORTH CAROLINA - Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill
Triangle Bonsai Society. Meets at The Commons Building, Wake County Office Park, 4011 Carya Dr., Raleigh, NC. Meeting dates vary by month, please check the website for current information - Contact Harold Johnson. 6806 Knotty Pine Dr., Chapel Hill, NC 27517 email

NORTH CAROLINA - Winston-Salem
North Carolina Bonsai Association. Contact: Terry W. Brandsma, 4208 Brentonshire Ln., High Point, NC 27265