Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’ is probably the most used Juniper species for Bonsai purposes. They are relatively easy to find, they can be found in just about any size at nurseries and are usually not expensive when you do find them. Like most things the larger they are the more money it costs. Even small plants are fun to train as Bonsai and can bring you great happiness and joy. Every Collection should have at least one Procumbens “Nana” in it. They make great starter trees to learn Bonsai on and are frequently used in workshops just for that purpose. They are a bit prickly when working on them but if you train your mind to ignore the slight pain the needles cause you can have some fun with them. Generally speaking wiring the branches are pretty easy to do unless there somewhat bigger and then you use just the right wire and perhaps a pulley or two. Most people use cooper wire when wiring a tree. I am now using aluminum wire as it easier for me to use. One advantage of copper wire is that the branches will stay in place better. Here in Colorado we live in a semi-arid section of the country and the summers are hot and dry. This climate is the perfect home for Spider Mites and they do love to suck the juices out Procumbens “Nana” trees. One must be on guard for these little creatures and put them out of their miserable little lives when you see them. Better yet is to make a pre-emptive strike on them before they get started killing your tree. If you tree is already planted in fast draining Bonsai soil then can spray the tree with a strong stream of water to knock them off, they really don’t like this. Another method is carry around a spray bottle with half rubbing alcohol and water and spray the little beasts. That kills them instantly and its not a poison. Then there is neem oil which suffocates them or perhaps one of the systemic miticides which are usually expensive to buy. If you use a miticide then you should switch between different products after one application. Three different products with different killing ingredients would be best. The spider mites will build up an immunity to the same product if used repeatedly. In my house the tree will do best under at least 30% shade cloth during the hottest part of the summer. You will see a big difference between a tree out in full sun and one under 30% shade cloth. They grow more during the cooler parts of the growing seasons. In Colorado I keep my trees in the unheated attached garage and do they just fine. They can take the cold and do not need sunlight during the winter. They will need to be watered during the winter on a regular basis. Be on the look out for spider mites in the winter to. In Colorado these trees are sold for landscaping purposes and do all right but they are planted in the ground where the roots can expand out and grow down. I am not sure how well they do with wind as landscape plants, but a Bonsai tree would almost for sure dry out due to wind if wintering outside in a bunker. You can try to protect it from wind and take your chances. Much simpler to keep them in a cold frame.
When looking for trees at a nursery look for a tree that is taller then all of the others. This is a pretty good tip off that tree may a large hidden trunk under all of the foliage. Your going to have to stick your hand down into the pot and feel around for its trunk and major branches. This may sting a little but you need to do it. Sometimes you can get lucky and see the trunk and branches, but not to often.
I do not recommend growing these trees indoors. I have tried that myself and they died of spider mites about a month after bringing in a couple of starter trees. Keep them outdoors/garage(winter) or unless you have a greenhouse.
There are literally hundreds of YouTube videos on using these trees as Bonsai. Please do not take any of this advice as what you should be doing. I have not watched all them and will not do so. Please contact your local Bonsai club/society and join them. They will have club members who will be happy to assist you with your tree. You will get high quality advice directly from knowledgeable artists.
Gallery of finished trees.
Bonsai Advice For Beginners by Bonsai Learning Center
Did it have to be another juniper? by Adam’s Art and Bonsai Blog
Juniper: Before and After by Bonsai Bark
Juniper Bonsai (pdf) by NEBonsai
Juniperus procumbens nana by BCI
Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’ by Bonsai Beginnings
Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’ by Missouri Botanical Garden
Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’ by North Carolina Extension
Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’ by Oregon State University
Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’ / dwarf Japanese garden juniper by Conifer Society
Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’ / dwarf Japanese garden juniper by American Conifer Society
Juniperus Prokumbens Nana – Cascade – Update by IBC Member rolandp New 01-17-2021
THE FANTASTIC JUNIPERUS PROCUMBENS NANA by Bonsai Tree & Brett Simon
My trees under development. I have around 5 of these of trees in all different styles from miniature to tall literati styles. Here are are links to two of them.