Oakland has plenty of hidden wonders, and one of them is its bonsai garden, tucked away in Lakeside Park.
Kieran and I visited there after school today and found a real marvel — a bonsai bougainvillea in full bloom!
We wandered through the whole garden, dotted with ishi doro and all sorts of bonsai trees, including miniature oaks like the “General Grant” tree, maples of several varieties, redwoods just three feet tall but perfect replicas of their huge cousins just outside the garden, junipers, pines, pomegranates and many others.
It’s another lovely oasis practically in the shadow of downtown buildings. Well worth a visit.
A bonsai bougainvillea in full bloom!
Pint-sized pine.
Acer palmatum, a Japanese maple.
An azalea.
The famous “General Grant” tree, well over a century old.
Puny pomegranate.
Reduced redwood.
Tiny trident maple.
Even the brooms are cool.
The bonsai garden is another treasure practically in the shadow of downtown buildings.
Steven E. F. Brown 