Wigert Bonsai Nursery in N. Ft Myers Floriday delights this New Englander

In my travels this winter, I pointed my truck south toward the southwest corner of Florida and Wigert’s Bonsai Nursery.  I had not visited any bonsai displays/shops in the tropical/warmer climates of the US before and was very pleasantly surprised!   

 

Just off Highway 41 was this well laid out, big piece of property, plenty of well displayed plants

to keep one interested for hours!  I was greeted by Mrs. Wigert who was very friendly and explained the property, layout, and features and was always available for any questions.  I enjoyed the immediate appearance of blooming Bougainvillea in numerous colors and shapes in open displays, some very large ones recently harvested (yamadori) from sites, many more mature pruned specimens.  

When traveling down to Florida in the winter, starting first in the northern part, you notice a peculiar shaped tree, deciduous; no leaves (actually it is an evergreen deciduous tree) called a Bald Cypress tree (Taxodium), native to warmer climates, especially wetter areas like swamps etc.  At Wigerts, there were many examples of beautifully bonsai made from this native tree, my favorite.  See photo below right. 

Additional to the experience, the huge numbers of pre-bonsai tropical plants, the areas where plants were being trained for bonsai, complete areas for supplies and classes, and in my case, having to drive back to New England, they will ship!  What a delightful find for me! 

Learn more about Wigert Bonsai Nursery.

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Meet the 'Plant Whisperer' 'Jim Harshbarger; Massachusetts Certified Arborist'

Learn more about THE GARDEN TUTOR
 

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