SBBK Guest Feb 25, 2026

What is Kusamono?

草物 “Kusa” (grass) + “mono” (thing)

下草 “Shita” (under) + “kusa” (grass)

“Kusamono references something in nature in miniature, just like the trees. Accents help the tree tell a story. Stand alone Kusamono reference either a season, as most of Youngs work does, or a habitat.” [BP]

Kusamono can be displayed on its own, and can be tall. They may be grown outdoors, and occasionally displayed indoors for short periods.
Accent plants are paired with and complimentary to a bonsai tree—balancing a multi-point display.

[BP: Barbara Philips]

Key Points When Composing

Can arrange different seasonal plants — to change and enjoy each season
Display with bonsai: Seasonal effect / proportion / harmonize / habitat / maintenance
Ideal composition of similar habitat or regional plants. Wetland, near streams, tundra, chaparral, dessert, etc
Avoid combining sun loving plants with shade loving plants
Accent plant should not be taller than the tree stand
Compose with an odd number of plants
An accent plant should have a unique shape pot than the tree’s pot—avoid round/round, rectangle/rectangle, same color, etc
If the tree has flowers the accent should not have flowers

Process

Prepare Soil half Shohin mix and half bonsai fines (45% lava 45% akadama 5% charcoal)
Moss ball uses all muck (see recipe below)
Select and prepare your tray/pot—must have a drainage hole. Often places a plastic screen on the bottom to grow into and stabilize, retaining soil when watering
Select a front: consider lip height, interesting features, location of feet (centered or symmetric, when displayed.
Prepare all plants by removing brown leaves, separate a clump of plants and spread them out
Start with the largest plant, then compose them with other plants by moving them around
Once arranged, use a chopstick to take out any air or space in the soil
May add movement to long

Recommended Plants

Adonis flower
Aster flower
Marlberry (evergreen) ideal for bonsai accent plant (red berry)
Selagenela (great fern-like)
Bean fern or button fern (wegmans)
(See additional lists with examples below)

Care & Maintenance

Can live for many years and through the different seasons
She lives in Maryland, and greenhouses only her tropical Kusamono
Inspect periodically: remove weeds, brown leaves or grasses, prune as needed. Occasionally replenish soil that washed away
Rotate once a month so that flowers get sun and not just one direction