2026 The Art of Bonsai: May-Sat
2026-04-18 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Kyoudou Center, 219 S. Main Avenue, Gresham, OR, 97080
Spring Pine Work
In this hands-on workshop, Bonsai Master Bobby Curttright will teach how to manage pine growth for bonsai this spring. He will cover single and multi-flush species, with a focus on decandling techniques to shape and maintain healthy, beautiful pines. Your take-home project will be a Pinus thunbergii.
This workshop it will be held in the Gresham Japanese Garden’s beautiful Kyoudou Center at 219A S Main Avenue, Gresham, OR 97030.
All tools, soil, and materials will be provided.
Note on Fees: The workshop fee is $40, plus $15 for trees, container and other supplies. To continue offering a high-quality, project-based bonsai program and cover material costs, the Garden has made the difficult decision to adjust the workshop fee. Class size has also been reduced to allow for more individualized instruction.
Gift certificates available here.

Pruning Flowering Shrubs
2026-05-02 13:00 - 14:30 | GJG Ebetsu Plaza, 219A S Main Avenue, Gresham, OR, 97030, United States
Are you wondering why your rhododendrons or azaleas aren’t blooming like they should? Or, aren’t growing like you want them to? Join Jim Card, Garden Director, for a hands-on demonstration covering the fundamentals of pruning flowering shrubs.
You’ll learn:

How and where to make the right cuts
When to prune to encourage flowers, not remove them
How to balance aesthetics with plant health

Gather around Gresham Japanese Garden’s Ebetsu Plaza for this free seminar
219A S Main Avenue
Gresham, OR 97030
Free and open to the community.

Spring Candling Pines
2026-05-03 13:00 - 15:00 | GJG Tsuru Island, 124 S Main Avenue, Gresham, OR, 97030, United States
Join Laura Dufala, owner of Bentwood Tree Farm, as she guides you through the why’s and how’s of candling pines. Learn about the importance of timing, balance, and health in creating beautifully structured trees.
Learn how to:

Identify and manage the apical candle
Determine which candles to remove for ideal structure
Know when to break versus when to remove the entire candle
Combine candling, needle pruning, and branch pruning for healthy growth
Understand how each technique affects the tree’s energy and growth pattern

Laura will work on a variety of pine species at the Gresham Japanese Garden during this in-person workshop. Get ready — Laura may turn the class into a collaborative session!
Whether you’re a home gardener or a landscape professional, this course offers high-level pruning techniques to candle pines for successful structure.
This workshop is certified by the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board. Licensed landscape construction professionals receive three Continuing Education Hours (CEH).
