The Essential Bonsai Book is a well written and beautifully photographed course on creating and curating a bonsai collection written by Jonas Dupuich. Released 15th April 2025 by Penguin Random House on their Clarkson Potter imprint. It's 224 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

The book is a more in-depth monograph on bonsai aimed at keen intermediate level to expert gardeners. There is an abbreviated introduction followed by training, pruning, care, and maintenance with emphasis on carrying out the correct procedure at the right time. The photography is standout, with "action" photos which are clear and without obscuring tools or hands in the way. In fact the entire book is beautifully photographed with an accessible and understandable graphic layout.

Gorgeous gorgeous bonsai in all their glory, showing a wide variety of species trained into both traditional and modern silhouettes. Worthwhile and inspirational.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

If you're looking to up your bonsai game, *The Essential Bonsai Book* is a must-have! Jonas Dupuich lays out everything you need to know, from the basics like pruning and wiring to more advanced techniques like decandling and defoliating. The beautiful photos and case studies make it easy to understand and apply the tips, plus the expert insights are super helpful for creating your own mini tree masterpiece. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned grower, this guide will definitely help you grow bonsai you'll be proud of!