2026 Destination Asia Show — Ribbon and Trophy Winners
Best in Show, second, third, and five honorable mentions from the 2026 Destination Asia show, plus the People's Choice top ten.
2026 Annual Show — People’s Choice Top 10
Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 People's Choice Award! Here are the Top 10 trees as voted by show attendees. 1st Place Jennifer P. — Bougainvillea 2nd Place Larry M. — Kishu Shimpaku Juniper 3rd Place Phil M. — Hawaiian Schefflera 4th Place Madhusudan R. — Chinese Elm 5th Place Bill I. — Juniper & Japanese Painted Fern — Rock Formation 6th Place Phil M. — Red Maple 7th Place Dennis T. — Parrot's Beak (Penjing) 8th Place Bill I. — Benjamina Ficus 9th Place Dennis T. —…
Congratulations Dennis — Singapore Holly Raffle Winner!
Congratulations to Dennis, the lucky winner of our Singapore Holly raffle tree! 🎉 Dennis took home this beautiful Singapore Holly (Malpighia coccigera) at the raffle, and we couldn't be happier for him. The Singapore Holly is a wonderful species for bonsai — known for its tiny, holly-like leaves, delicate pink flowers, and fine branching that responds well to training. Want to get your hands on a tree of your own? Join us this Wednesday, August 5th at our next meeting where you can make your own juniper bonsai! It's…
Midwest Bonsai Show Workshops — August 14–16 at Chicago Botanic Garden
This event is hosted by the Midwest Bonsai Society, not PSBS — but an event we're proud to support. 📋 The full workshop and event schedule is here, plus the show layout so you can plan your visit. Three days of workshops with some of the best teachers in the country. Sessions include: Wiring 101 (beginners welcome) Japanese Black Pine Trident Maple Korean Hornbeam Collected Western Conifers Bring Your Own Tree sessions with Guest Master Boon Manakitivipart Most workshops cap at 7 to 10 students — don't wait if…
Bonsai Hai! — June 2026 Newsletter
The June 2026 issue of Bonsai Hai!, the Prairie State Bonsai Society newsletter, is now available. Download the June 2026 Newsletter (PDF)
In Memory of Richard “Dick” Anderson — Lifetime Member
It is with sadness that we share the news that longtime Prairie State Bonsai Society member Richard "Dick" Anderson passed away on March 19, 2026. Dick was a lifetime member of the club and leaves behind a legacy of dedicated service and friendship. Former PSBS President Phil Malhiot shared this remembrance: "When I came on as president in 1998, Dick Anderson was the treasurer for Prairie State Bonsai Society. He was a very active member for the next 12 years and served as treasurer for 10 of those years.…
Midwest Bonsai Society 20th Annual May Exhibit — This Weekend!
Our friends at the Midwest Bonsai Society are hosting their 20th Annual May Exhibit this weekend, May 16–17, 2026, at the Chicago Botanic Garden. This is one of the premier bonsai events in our region, and we always love supporting our sister club! The exhibit runs 9 AM to 5 PM both days in Burnstein Hall at the Regenstein Center. Admission to the exhibit is free (regular Garden parking and admission fees apply). You'll find a wonderful display of trees in various stages of training, live demonstrations, and multiple…
