Katsura Garden

I found an excellent starter bonsai at a fair price here. I bought a small Bird Plum tree for $ 55. The tree is in good health, and I really appreciated getting a recommendation for the type of bonsai that would grow well in my apartment. I will update this review if I run into issues in the future.

Plant contemplation.
The shape of (green) things to come.
My own zen garden.

Nobu has just completed Japanese rock gardens in our front and backyards that save water and improve the unaesthetic badge of honor of brown grass in drought conditions. The front yard has been made to look like large boulders are rising out of a sandy sea; the effect is serene and drought-​resistant. We and our gardens can both enjoy a zen experience.

This is a great place to get a start.
This is a great little shop for anyone interested in bonsai and wanting to take the plunge. The have a good selection and VERY reasonable prices. There is also a really nice selection of orchids as well.
Having owned a few bonsai growing up, I took my wife there so she could be bit by the gardening bug. It worked.
I was surprised to find they even had a small selection of nursery stock. There are about 4 dozen pots to choose from, wire, soil, and decorative items.
Most of the trees appeared to be locally sourced. The nursery stock Chinese Juniper I bought was grown in Half Moon Bay. All of the trees and plants in the store are very heathy and in great shape.
We ended up with a nice little started and potted juniper, the nursery stock juniper, two books, a pot and humidity tray, transplant soil, drainage mesh, and surface decoration pebbles for under $ 100.
The lady that waited on us was kind and answered many questions, however she didn’t hover, which was nice.
Overall a nice shop in a great neighborhood to visit. It’s a great place to get started, but I would recommend that serious bonsai folk visit without high expectations.

Nice little shop, yet horrible customer service. My wife and I went here to pick up Bonzai tree and a few things to go with the tree (Humidity tray, gravel, and plant food.) The store had a great selection of trees/​plants as well as various Bonzai growing items. All of the trees/​plants looked healthy too. Initially we were really looking forward to making our purchases here as well as getting some information regarding the Bonzai growing hobby in general. We were the only customers in the store and literally walked around for 20 – 25 minutes looking at various items in the store, hands full with a tree as well as other products. This entire time the woman working in the shop did not pause once to say hello or inquire if we needed assistance. This was all despite our clearly audible discussion and questions about our Bonzai needs. Thankfully I had these questions answered with a quick Google search on my phone but the fact that I had to search online for answers with a free store clerk was just ridiculous. Eventually we decided to put down all of the items we planned to purchase, rather than give our business to a store that clearly had no interest in such business. Of course one could argue that we should have simply approached the store clerk for assistance, however in there were countless opportunities for the clerk to do her job, as discussed above, one that she was completely free to do. This shop may have a nice selection of prices, however if you are looking for any assistance/​customer service with your purchases, I recommend going elsewhere.

Came here in 2011 to purchase a bonsai for Mother’s Day. Almost 4 years later the bonsai still looks good despite not watering it sometimes for over a week (supposed to water every/​every other day). I haven’t re-​potted it although I suspect I should. Great quality plants and long lifespans with minimal maintenance!

A pleasant Japanese woman repotted my aloe plant that I bought from them a year ago. She also helped me select a suitable pot. i also had a small succulent repotted and bought one of their pretty pottery vessels. For two pots, the soil, volcanic top cover, and repotting, they only charged $ 26.00. I highly recommend this place. They also have beautiful bonsai and great deals on fresh cut flowers.

I love this place. There was a wide selection to choose from in terms of plants. I went with my bf specifically to find bonsai all the way from Sacramento. We each walked out with a plant of our own and were both very satisfied with our purchase. The shop owner was very helpful and nice as well. The doggy sleeping in the backroom was so cute too. I might just go back again to get a marimo for my desk.

Petite bonsai boutique in Japantown :) The little plants outside the shop caught my eye — mini pots of succulents ^_​_​^, bonsai starter plants, and little trees! All things cute for indoor gardening!
LE PLANTS
–A variety of «starter» plants for $ 3.95 and/​or $ 5.95, depending on the size of the plant. I appreciated how each pot had a label indicating what kind of tree it was. I’ve been to garden shops where no information was given so bonus points to Katsura :)
–Dozens of bonsai trees in all shapes and sizes! Prices range from $ 18 to the $ 100+. A few super giant ones for above a hundred. All of them are in great condition, beautiful, green, and healthy.
–They also have a handful of air plants (aerophytes) that are gorgeously arranged in beautiful glass containers (hanging tear drops, orbs, cubes etc).
–Small collection of other flowers and plants — orchids, aloe, tree/​branches (crabapple), bamboo, just to name a few.
–And as all garden shops should, Katsura also sells a colorful range of indoor planters and pots, potting soil, and beautiful rocks and pebbles for decoration.
One of my favorite shops to stop by in Japantown!

1. Katsura was the only place I found while looking for indoor bonsai. Other establishments said they’d have some later in the year but only Katsura presently now.
2. The selection is sufficient. Some they’ve grown are truly beautiful and one day perhaps when I’m more confident in my ability to not immediately sentence such beauty to something other than the life it deserves I’ll try my hand.
3. Such beauty to take home comes at a cost, but not a prohibitively large one.
4. Metered parking right out front. Friendly helpful efficient staff. Books and metal decorative birds. Other plants too including tempting air plant arrangements in glass things but with the bonsai I didn’t even really think but twice about the epiphytes.
I don’t know precisely why, but the small trees had me think of how we fill the spaces in our lives.
Ode to Common Things (Neruda)
I have a crazy,
crazy love of things.
I like pliers,
and scissors.
I love
cups,
rings,
and bowls —
not to speak, or course,
of hats.
I love
all things,
not just
the grandest,
also
the
infinite–
ly
small —
thimbles,
spurs,
plates,
and flower vases.
Oh yes,
the planet
is sublime!
It’s full of pipes
weaving
hand-​held
through tobacco smoke,
and keys
and salt shakers —
everything,
I mean,
that is made
by the hand of man, every little thing:
shapely shoes,
and fabric,
and each new
bloodless birth
of gold,
eyeglasses
carpenter’s nails,
brushes,
clocks, compasses,
coins, and the so-​soft
softness of chairs.
Mankind has
built
oh so many
perfect
things!
Built them of wool
and of wood,
of glass and
of rope:
remarkable
tables,
ships, and stairways.
I love
all
things,
not because they are
passionate
or sweet-​smelling
but because,
I don’t know,
because
this ocean is yours,
and mine;
these buttons
and wheels
and little
forgotten
treasures,
fans upon
whose feathers
love has scattered
its blossoms
glasses, knives and
scissors —
all bear
the trace
of someone’s fingers
on their handle or surface,
the trace of a distant hand
lost
in the depths of forgetfulness.
I pause in houses,
streets and
elevators
touching things,
identifying objects
that I secretly covet;
this one because it rings,
that one because
it’s as soft
as the softness of a woman’s hip,
that one there for its deep-​sea color,
and that one for its velvet feel.
O irrevocable
river
of things:
no one can say
that I loved
only
fish,
or the plants of the jungle and the field,
that I loved
only
those things that leap and climb, desire, and survive.
It’s not true:
many things conspired
to tell me the whole story.
Not only did they touch me,
or my hand touched them:
they were
so close
that they were a part
of my being,
they were so alive with me
that they lived half my life
and will die half my death.
These two trees now home from Katsura are beautiful. I stand sometimes for long durations just looking.

I love the variety of plants at this store! Not only do they carry various bonsai that can render you motionless, but sometimes they might even carry a succulent that you’ve never seen before. Every time I come here, I find something new. I also appreciate the time the employees take, in ensuring you’re making the right decision on certain plants. Some plants need little attention, while some need more nurturing. They’ll let you know how to take care of your new plant.
If you’re looking for a different gift for a friend or loved one (so long as they’re responsible), I recommend giving them a bonsai! Or simply re-​energize your own home with a new plant.

I wanted to buy my first Bonzai and found Katsura Garden on Unilocal.Thinking I’d give it a try, my partner and I went in and were fascinated with all the different bonzai trees that Katsura Garden had. The lady working was SO nice and helpful — she had no problem answering my questions. They have a wide range of prices for the Bonzai — I settled for a more expensive one ($ 95), but there were plenty that were cheaper. Parking was plentiful on the street out front.
I would give them 6 stars if I could — they were nice, knowledgeable and offered a wide range of products to choose from.

I’m from reno and they don’t sell any bonsais here. Juniper or the other beautiful styles of bonsai. This is a very cute store and inexpensive. I’ve never seen or heard of the air plants that they have and they are unique to me and absolutely beautiful! I’m not sure if the lady that helped me was the owner, but she was very kind and helpful as I asked her so many questions. I had gotten a bonsai from my BF that a guy was selling on the side here in reno (kind of like his own farmers market) and i learned a lot more from the lady here and the guy claimed he raises bonsais and got less info from him that we had told my BF. I’m glad I had come across here and can’t wait to raise more plants!

I found this place on my way out of Japan Plaza (is that what it’s called?) and my boyfriend pointed at the small potted plants displayed outside. I picked out a mini bonsai tree in a pot to put inside a large terrarium I’m building. It was only $ 5.95. However, the sweet shop owner told me that the plant needs direct sunlight for five hours a day, so I ended up taking home an air plant (the same price) instead because of its lower required maintenance. They sell really great small hanging terrariums already assembled for $ 22.50. These would make a great gift and I would prefer receiving one of these over a dozen roses any day. They also sell bonsais of all sizes, flowery branches, pots, other plants, and flowers.

These guys are amazing. I called from the East Coast to order a bonzai for a friend’s birthday, to be delivered to her office. $ 40 and WOW-​what a pretty plant. That tree easily would have been $ 80 somewhere else. No extra delivery charge and a VERY nice hand-​written thank you note. HIGHLY recommended

I have ordered flowers from Katsura Garden twice now and they are amazing! The first time was for my mother in law’s birthday bouquet and I wanted to send flowering blossoms — they sent her the most gorgeous bouquet of cherry blossoms of the highest quality. They were reasonably priced and the delivery charges were not bad considering she lives in Daly City outside of San Francisco.
The second time I ordered 2 bouquets for Mother’s Day for my mother and mother-​in-​law. This time Hazuki helped me and she was very helpful and sweet. Both of my mothers loved each of their bouquets and both texted me pictures of them as soon as they received them. I will definitely be ordering all of my flowers from here. I don’t think flower arrangement delivery is their main business — they seem like more of a nursery, but they still did a great job.

Customs seized my beloved bonsai. An impulse buy the day before leaving Tokyo, I thought it would be a nice reminder of such an amazing city. But oh no, something about no plants this, no plants that, my bonsai was in the trash just moments after entering US territory. Jerks.
Actually, far from it. I knew what I was getting into, I was just hoping there was a bonzai exception. And there is not. But the nice immigration guy let me keep the vase it came in, and I thought that was a rather nice gesture. I was on the hunt for Bonsai 2.0.
Katsura Garden turned out to be just the place. Overflowing with all things japanese, including quite a few bonsais. The lady helping me couldn’t have been nicer, education me on which varieties survive best indoors, and even filling my vase with some extra soil to make sure my new bonsai fit nice and snug.
Fortunately there are no customs on the 22 (though some days it might be a good idea after seeing what some people bring on the bus), and bonsai 2.0 and I made it home safely. Looking at it now, vase from Tokyo, plant from San Francisco, I think this turned out just fine.

The selection here isn’t as good as some larger shops, but they make up for it by being more specialized in bonsai and japanese plants. They are also the only shop in SF I was able to find plumeria seeds and other specialty seeds and cuttings from Hawaii. I would be careful to examine plants I get here for health as I’ve seen a few sad looking ones. I bought a few azaleas here before which didn’t do so well.
But take a second look at their japanese miniature orchids! They are hard to find in the US but they’re great! Good windowsill sized plants with amazing fragrance! I believe they get them from seed engei, one of a handful of japanese orchid sellers in the US with top quality plants.

This store is in a good location which is in Japan Center. They do cary a variety of choice of plant life and products to help your garden but are limited but that’s not a bad thing.
They have mini table top LIVE Bonsai plants at decent prices as well as medium size plants and floral.
It’s not a huge store but they do manage to have good choices to work around whatever size plant, floral, Bonsai and other garden needs you may desire.
The sales person is very nice and helpful.
Got a Bonsai Tree for Mother’s Day! It’s very cute.
It beats flowers all the time. I just wanted to break the tradition. Something that will last longer.

Gotta totally agree with my fellow Unilocalers on this one-​Katsura Garden is THE ABSOLUTELY PERFECT Shop that sells bonsais, orchids, fresh flowers, and home garden supplies.
I have been shopping here for years and most of the trees in my SoCal bonsai garden have come from KG. The products they sell are First Rate and have been groomed and handled with the greatest of care and attention to detail.
Most of all, I really enjoy shopping at Katsura Garden because of the really sweet ladies who work here. They are so helpful, friendly, and they always want to know how my bonsais, orchids, and plumerias are doing. Every time I purchase a tree here, the ladies package it up with the utmost loving care in boxes, padding, and bags for the potentially treacherous carry-​on baggage airplane ride to their new home.
Domo Arigato Katsura Hana-​ya!!!