Gresham Japanese Garden

2026 The Art of Bonsai: Oct-Thursday
2026-10-15 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Gresham Japanese Garden Greenhouse, 219 N Main, Gresham, Multnomah, 97080, United States
Western Hemlock Bonsai Workshop: Aluminum Wiring Techniques
Learn one of the most essential skills in bonsai—wiring. This hands-on workshop focuses on shaping and styling bonsai using aluminum wire, an indispensable tool for bonsai artists. Participants will work with a Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), a graceful Pacific Northwest native known for its soft foliage and elegant branching(T
You’ll learn how to apply wire correctly, bend branches safely, and create movement and structure that will guide your tree’s future development. Proper wiring techniques, timing, and aftercare will all be covered, giving you the confidence to continue shaping your bonsai at home.
This workshop also serves as the foundation for our December Copper Wiring Workshop. We’ll discuss the differences between aluminum and copper wire, when each should be used, and why experienced bonsai artists often choose copper for refined conifer styling. If you’re interested in advancing your skills, this workshop is the perfect preparation for taking the next step in December.
What You’ll Learn

How to wire a bonsai using aluminum wire
Proper branch positioning and shaping techniques
When and how to remove wire safely
The differences between aluminum and copper wire
How wiring influences long-term bonsai development

Who Should Attend
Ideal for beginners and intermediate bonsai enthusiasts who want to build a strong foundation in wiring techniques and prepare for more advanced styling with copper wire in our December workshop.
Leave with a beautifully wired Western Hemlock, practical wiring skills, and a deeper understanding of how thoughtful styling transforms a tree into a bonsai.
Class will take place in the greenhouse.

2026 The Art of Bonsai: Oct-Saturday
2026-10-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Gresham Japanese Garden Greenhouse, 219 N Main, Gresham, Multnomah, 97080, United States
Western Hemlock Bonsai Workshop: Aluminum Wiring Techniques
Learn one of the most essential skills in bonsai—wiring. This hands-on workshop focuses on shaping and styling bonsai using aluminum wire, an indispensable tool for bonsai artists. Participants will work with a Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), a graceful Pacific Northwest native known for its soft foliage and elegant branching.
You’ll learn how to apply wire correctly, bend branches safely, and create movement and structure that will guide your tree’s future development. Proper wiring techniques, timing, and aftercare will all be covered, giving you the confidence to continue shaping your bonsai at home.
This workshop also serves as the foundation for our December Copper Wiring Workshop. We’ll discuss the differences between aluminum and copper wire, when each should be used, and why experienced bonsai artists often choose copper for refined conifer styling. If you’re interested in advancing your skills, this workshop is the perfect preparation for taking the next step in December.
What You’ll Learn

How to wire a bonsai using aluminum wire
Proper branch positioning and shaping techniques
When and how to remove wire safely
The differences between aluminum and copper wire
How wiring influences long-term bonsai development

Who Should Attend
Ideal for beginners and intermediate bonsai enthusiasts who want to build a strong foundation in wiring techniques and prepare for more advanced styling with copper wire in our December workshop.
Leave with a beautifully wired Western Hemlock, practical wiring skills, and a deeper understanding of how thoughtful styling transforms a tree into a bonsai.
Class will take place in the greenhouse.

Bonsai: Group Kobo
2026-10-31 12:00 - 16:00 | Gresham Japanese Garden Greenhouse, 219 N Main, Gresham, Multnomah, 97080, United States
Group Kobo is a drop‑in workshop. Whether you’re refining a bonsai’s shape, practicing wiring, or planning future enhancements, you’ll receive expert guidance from GJG’s bonsai master, Bobby Curttright. alongside a friendly community of fellow enthusiasts.
Bring your bonsai anytime between these hours in a relaxed, collaborative environment in the greenhouse behind the Kyoudou Center. Please arrive early enough to receive consultation.
You will have access to use Bobby’s bonsai tools and wiring supplies, but not repotting supplies. Repotting is covered in a separate class.
If you’re planning on dropping in, please bring $20 in cash. We look forward to seeing your creativity enhanced and your knowledge of bonsai strengthened!
NOTE: Kobo means “workshop” in Japanese.

Pruning Conifers for Health and Aesthetics Course
2026-10-31 13:00 - 15:00 | Gresham Japanese Garden
Pruning Conifers for Health and Aesthetics course will start at Ebetsu Plaza, the garden nestled in front of the Kyoudou Center inside Gresham’s Main City Park, home to a diverse collection of conifers.
Limited to 15 students, so register early to reserve your spot!
Workshop Overview
This in-person class is designed to deepen your understanding of conifer pruning through an aesthetic lens. Maryann will guide participants in:

Understanding conifer growth biology and seasonal rhythms
Applying pruning techniques to maintain plant health and desired size
Enhancing landscape aesthetics through thoughtful pruning
Recognizing and preserving the natural form of various conifer species

Whether you’re a home gardener or a landscape professional, this workshop offers valuable insights into the art and science of conifer pruning.
Licensed landscapers can earn 2 CEUs.

Introduction to Ikebana - November
2026-11-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Kyoudou Center, 219 S. Main Avenue, Gresham, OR, 97080
What to Expect in this Workshop
Instructor Nana Bellerud November ikebana workshop will focus on autumn colors and non-flowering materials that can be used in ikebana, as well as its symbolism and seasonal meanings—while maintaining the core principles of ikebana.
Nana will also cover fundamental Sogetsu School ikebana concepts, techniques, tools, and equipment, as well as share material selection and design ideas rooted in the Sogetsu approach.
The workshop emphasizes more than simply creating a beautiful floral arrangement, it offers insight into ikebana as an expressive and mindful art form.
Supplies and tools will be available on-site for use during the workshop. After completing your arrangement, participants are encouraged to photograph their work before dismantling it. Plant materials may be taken home. If you would like to take your arrangement home intact, or plan to continue practicing ikebana, kenzan and containers will be available for purchase at the workshop (see details below).
The class will be held at the Gresham Japanese Garden’s Kyoudou Center, located at 219A S. Main Avenue, Gresham, OR 97030. The building is at the south end of Main City Park, closest to the Springwater Trailhead. A parking lot is located adjacent to the building.
Kenzan + Container – $30
In ikebana, the two accessories used is a kenzan, or some people say pin frog, and a container. For basic arrangements a shallow container is appropriate. Because ikebana is a practiced art, owning these accessories is a must to further your practice.
Also, if you’d like to preserve the arrangement you created at the workshop, these accessories are available for purchase at the workshop. $30 includes both. Cash, Venmo or check will be accepted.
NOTE: The cost of the workshop includes the use of the instructor’s kensan and container.

Structural Pruning Pines
2026-11-15 14:00 - 16:00 | GJG Tsuru Island, 124 S Main Avenue, Gresham, OR, 97030, United States
Watch instructor, Laura Dufala unlock the hidden character of pine trees through structural pine pruning. She’s captivating to watch her approach to cloud pruning, and through her artistic eyes make decisions regarding which branches to keep and which ones to remove. She has a tendency to turn the class into a hands-on practicum, so bring gloves and sanitized pruners.
The class will take place at the Gresham Japanese Garden’s Tsuru Island. Licensed landscapers will earn 3 CEU credits.

2026 The Art of Bonsai: Nov-Thursday
2026-11-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Gresham Japanese Garden Greenhouse, 219 N Main, Gresham, Multnomah, 97080, United States
Aluminum Wiring Techniques with a Pacific Willow
Learn one of the most essential skills in bonsai—wiring. This hands-on workshop focuses on shaping and styling bonsai using aluminum wire on a deciduous tree, an indispensable tool for bonsai artists. Participants will work with a Pacific Willow (Salix lasiandra), a Pacific Northwest favorite with graceful, flexible branches and long, glossy leaves offers a soft, flowing appearance that is well suited to informal upright, slanting, clump, and windswept bonsai styles.
You’ll learn how to apply wire correctly, bend branches safely, and create movement and structure that will guide your tree’s future development. Proper wiring techniques, timing, and aftercare will all be covered, giving you the confidence to continue shaping your bonsai at home.
This workshop is a compliment to October’s workshop where wiring with aluminum was taught on an evergreen, and serves as the foundation for our December Copper Wiring Workshop. We’ll discuss the differences between aluminum and copper wire, when each should be used, and why experienced bonsai artists often choose copper for refined conifer styling. If you’re interested in advancing your skills, this workshop is the perfect preparation for taking the next step in December.
What You’ll Learn

How to wire a bonsai using aluminum wire
Proper branch positioning and shaping techniques
When and how to remove wire safely
The differences between aluminum and copper wire
How wiring influences long-term bonsai development

Who Should Attend
Ideal for beginners and intermediate bonsai enthusiasts who want to build a strong foundation in wiring techniques and prepare for more advanced styling with copper wire in our December workshop.
Leave with a beautifully wired Western Hemlock, practical wiring skills, and a deeper understanding of how thoughtful styling transforms a tree into a bonsai.
Class will take place in the greenhouse.

2026 The Art of Bonsai: Nov-Saturday
2026-11-21 13:00 - 15:00 | Gresham Japanese Garden Greenhouse, 219 N Main, Gresham, Multnomah, 97080, United States
Aluminum Wiring Techniques with Pacific Willow
Learn one of the most essential skills in bonsai—wiring. This hands-on workshop focuses on shaping and styling bonsai using aluminum wire on a deciduous tree, an indispensable tool for bonsai artists. Participants will work with a Pacific Willow (Salix lasiandra), a Pacific Northwest favorite with graceful, flexible branches and long, glossy leaves offers a soft, flowing appearance that is well suited to informal upright, slanting, clump, and windswept bonsai styles.
You’ll learn how to apply wire correctly, bend branches safely, and create movement and structure that will guide your tree’s future development. Proper wiring techniques, timing, and aftercare will all be covered, giving you the confidence to continue shaping your bonsai at home.
This workshop is a compliment to October’s workshop where wiring with aluminum was taught on an evergreen, and serves as the foundation for our December Copper Wiring Workshop. We’ll discuss the differences between aluminum and copper wire, when each should be used, and why experienced bonsai artists often choose copper for refined conifer styling. If you’re interested in advancing your skills, this workshop is the perfect preparation for taking the next step in December.
What You’ll Learn

How to wire a bonsai using aluminum wire
Proper branch positioning and shaping techniques
When and how to remove wire safely
The differences between aluminum and copper wire
How wiring influences long-term bonsai development

Who Should Attend
Ideal for beginners and intermediate bonsai enthusiasts who want to build a strong foundation in wiring techniques and prepare for more advanced styling with copper wire in our December workshop.
Leave with a beautifully wired Western Hemlock, practical wiring skills, and a deeper understanding of how thoughtful styling transforms a tree into a bonsai.
Class will take place in the greenhouse.

Pruning Upright Maples
2026-12-05 12:00 - 14:00 | Gresham Japanese Garden
This is an in-person instructional course with professional pruner, Francheska Snyder, owner of Niwa Method. She will concentrate on a few species of upright maples on Tsuru Island. Topics will include pruning techniques that create space and organize branch structure; tree health and sun exposure; managing the desired size; planning for future growth; aesthetics; and more. A bonus with pruning uprights, will be watching and learning climbing techniques as Francheska prunes the larger maples.
Whether you’re a home gardener or a landscape professional, this course offers advanced techniques for pruning upright maples.

Introduction to Ikebana - December
2026-12-08 13:00 - 15:00 | Kyoudou Center, 219 S. Main Avenue, Gresham, OR, 97080
What to Expect in this Workshop
Instructor Nana Bellerud December ikebana workshop will focus on the winter scenery and various holiday ideas with ikebana, as well as its symbolism and seasonal meanings—while maintaining the core principles of ikebana.
Nana will also cover fundamental Sogetsu School ikebana concepts, techniques, tools, and equipment, as well as share material selection and design ideas rooted in the Sogetsu approach.
The workshop emphasizes more than simply creating a beautiful floral arrangement, it offers insight into ikebana as an expressive and mindful art form.
Supplies and tools will be available on-site for use during the workshop. After completing your arrangement, participants are encouraged to photograph their work before dismantling it. Plant materials may be taken home. If you would like to take your arrangement home intact, or plan to continue practicing ikebana, kenzan and containers will be available for purchase at the workshop (see details below).
The class will be held at the Gresham Japanese Garden’s Kyoudou Center, located at 219A S. Main Avenue, Gresham, OR 97030. The building is at the south end of Main City Park, closest to the Springwater Trailhead. A parking lot is located adjacent to the building.
Kenzan + Container – $30
In ikebana, the two accessories used is a kenzan, or some people say pin frog, and a container. For basic arrangements a shallow container is appropriate. Because ikebana is a practiced art, owning these accessories is a must to further your practice.
Also, if you’d like to preserve the arrangement you created at the workshop, these accessories are available for purchase at the workshop. $30 includes both. Cash, Venmo or check will be accepted.
NOTE: The cost of the workshop includes the use of the instructor’s kensan and container.

2026 The Art of Bonsai: Dec-Thursday
2026-12-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Gresham Japanese Garden Greenhouse, 219 N Main, Gresham, Multnomah, 97080, United States
Copper Wiring Techniques with a Western White Pine
Western white pine (Pinus monticola) is an excellent species for learning the art of wiring with copper because of its flexible branches and classic conifer form. Copper wire provides the strength needed to position and hold branches while they gradually set into their new shape, allowing students to create elegant movement and layered branch structure. Unlike aluminum wire, copper work requires greater precision and proper application, making it an important skill for intermediate bonsai enthusiasts.
In this workshop, participants will learn the fundamentals of selecting the correct wire gauge, applying copper wire at the proper angle, and safely bending branches without causing damage. Emphasis will be placed on creating natural branch placement, balanced design, and the refined silhouette characteristic of mature pine bonsai. Students will also learn when to wire, how long the wire should remain on the tree, and how to monitor for wire bite as the branches begin to set. By the end of the workshop, each participant will leave with a beautifully styled Western white pine and the confidence to continue developing it for years to come.
Class will take place in the greenhouse.

Pruning Laceleaf Maples
2026-12-19 11:00 - 14:00 | Gresham Japanese Garden
This is an in-person instructional course with Francheska Snyder. Throughout the course, participants can engage in an open discussion with Francheska as she prunes a large laceleaf maple in a garden that Gresham Japanese Garden manages. There may be opportunity for some light hand pruning (no pruning tools are required.) The maple (shown above), will take two days to complete. This class is the first of two. It’s repeated Sunday the 20th to finish the tree.
Topics will include pruning techniques to create space and organize branch structure; tree health and sun exposure; managing the desired size; planning for future growth; aesthetics; and more. Whether you’re a home gardener or a landscape professional, this course offers advanced techniques for pruning laceleaf maples.
Licensed landscapers will earn 5 CEU credits.

2026 The Art of Bonsai: Dec-Saturday
2026-12-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Gresham Japanese Garden Greenhouse, 219 N Main, Gresham, Multnomah, 97080, United States

Pruning Laceleaf Maples - Day 2
2026-12-20 12:00 - 15:00 | Gresham Japanese Garden
This is an in-person instructional course with Francheska Snyder. Throughout the course, participants can engage in an open discussion with Francheska as she prunes a large laceleaf maple in a garden that Gresham Japanese Garden manages. There may be opportunity for some light hand pruning (no pruning tools are required.) The maple (shown above), requires two days to complete the pruning. This class is the second of two classes.
Topics will include pruning techniques to create space and organize branch structure; tree health and sun exposure; managing the desired size; planning for future growth; aesthetics; and more. Whether you’re a home gardener or a landscape professional, this course offers advanced techniques for pruning laceleaf maples.
Licensed landscapers will earn 5 CEU credits.
