Bonsai Class at Woods Beer & Wine Company Authored by George Haas In great anticipation the scheduled Woods Beer & Wine Company beginners’ bonsai class and special wine release occurred […]

Bonsai & Wine Special Event Authored by Suzanne Muller and George Haas There is an upcoming special event scheduled for August 29, 2026, from 12:00 – 2:00 PM, at the […]

Announcement of Passing: Al Nelson Al Nelson passed away on April 29. 2026. He was 94. Al was a pillar of the bonsai community for many years, admired not only […]

A Quarter Century of Living Art at the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt For twenty‑five years, the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM), Oakland, California, has stood as a testament […]

Announcement of Passing: Sandy Planting 1938-2026 Written by Dave Curbow In August 1961, Sandy married John Planting, beginning a 60-year romance. Sandy’s father had a nursery in Menlo Park, California, […]

Wrap-Up of the 2026 Mammoth Auction and Sale The 33rd Mammoth Auction and Sale fundraiser for the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt wrapped up successfully on March 7 and 8, […]

The 26th Mammoth Auction & Sale 2026By George Haas Director Suzanne Muller takes over from George Haas as the Mammoth Chairperson. If you have questions, Suzanne can be reached HERE […]

Today, you can review the entire 110 auction items for the 2026 Mammoth Auction & Sale Fundraiser. Visit Mammoth Auction & Sale Fundraiser – GSBF Bonsai Garden at lake Merritt […]

Repotting, Styling and Wiring Workshop Written by George HaasJanuary 7, 2026 On January 3 and 4, 2026, at the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM) professional artist and instructor Sam […]

Bonsai Holiday Gift Ideas Narrow your search for holiday gift ideas by shopping at the Gift Shop for the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt [https://boo.zbf.temporary.site/gift-shop/]. 25th Anniversary Book covering more […]

Wine and Bonsai –Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt By Suzanne Muller and George Haas On November 23, 2025, at the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM), a special project was […]

BGLM Mammoth Auction and Sale 2026 By Suzanne Muller BGLM Mammoth fundraiser is schedule for March 7 and 8, 2026. The two-day event is roughly three months away! This month […]

Honoring Dr. Seiji Shiba By George Haas On November 8, 2025, at the entrance to the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt, Oakland, California, Della T. Shiba, nine Shiba family members, […]

Holiday Sale of BGLM Anniversary Book By Suzanne Muller Thinking of a gift for this Holiday season? From November 1 thru December 31, 2025, the BGLM 25th Anniversary Book is […]

BGLM Mammoth Auction & Sale Call for Consignments and Donations By Suzanne Muller BGLM Mammoth fundraiser is schedule for March 7 and 8, 2026. The two-day event is roughly four […]

Autunm Lights Festival 2025 By George Haas and Randi Keppeler The Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM) proudly participates each year in Oakland’s Gardens at Lake Merritt Autunm Lights Festival. […]

Autumn Lights Festival at the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt – Volunteers URGENLY Needed! By Randi Keppeler We especially need volunteers for security of the bonsai garden from 6:00 pm […]

Autumn Lights Festival at the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt – Volunteers Needed! Just as continuous care for each bonsai tree is critical, so too is caring for the ecosystem […]

Mammoth Auction & Sale 2026 GSBF Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt October 1st is the time to begin thinking about the Mammoth fundraiser for the bonsai garden. Director Suzanne Muller […]

$50,000 Pye-Harris Legacy Project Gift By Nick Vargas Vila and Janet Roth The Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM) was established to carry forward the legacy of members of the […]

BONSAI GARDEN AT LAKE MERRITT (BGLM) BGLM is now in its 26th year. Open to the public since November 6, 1999, at the Gardens of Lake Merritt, Oakland, California, USA. […]

Dear BGLM volunteers, I want to thank you for your volunteer service to the Bonsai Garden. The garden would not function without you or your dedication and time.  In order […]

By George Haas April 11, 2025

Mammoth Auction & Sale Fundraiser 2025 By George Haas March 5, 2025   The annual Mammoth Auction & Sale fundraiser for the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt, Oakland, California, was […]

John Naka’s California Juniper “Heisei” By George Haas February 8, 2025 Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM) Item #146 California Juniper (Juniperus californica) Donated by John Naka on October 26, […]

Repotting Workshop for the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt By George Haas On January 21, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., at the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM), […]

Order your personal copy of the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt 25th Anniversary photo album by contacting George Haas for details at gwhaas@comcast.net.

Mammoth Auction & Sale Fundraiser 2025 – Call for Volunteers Mammoth Auction & Sale fundraiser is scheduled to take place on March 1 and 2, 2025, at the Lakeside Park […]

Management at the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt Several changes in management have recently taken place at the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM). DIRECTOR The new Director of the […]

I am a Volunteer By George Haas December 1, 2024 I am an avid volunteer for the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM), in Oakland, California. I started soon after […]

The 25th Anniversary Celebration for the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt By George Haas November 9, 2024 Today, the volunteer members of the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM) held […]

Oakland’s Autumn Lights Festival 2024 By George Haas October 20, 2024 The annual fundraiser for the Gardens at Lake Merritt, Oakland, California is referred to as Autumn Lights Festival. The […]

Repotting the California Juniper #418 By George Haas On September 29, 2024, at the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt, Oakland, California, a special team was assembled to take on the […]

On November 9, 2024, the Golden State Bonsai Federation’s Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt, in Oakland, California, will be celebrating its first 25 years. Special arrangements are in the planning […]

BGLM Volunteer Appreciation Day By George Haas September 7, 2024 On September 2, 2024 (Labor Day), the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt, Oakland, California, hosted its Volunteer Appreciation Day. It […]

August 12, 2024 Hiroshi Sakaguchi By George Haas The Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM) main entrance gate was designed and built by Hiroshi Sakaguchi of Occidental, California. Hiroshi is […]

BGLM Newsletter – 1 By Gene Heller August 5, 2024 The best way to keep up to date on what’s going on in the garden is to subscribe to this […]