Meet a Gardener: The Art of Penjing
Sat., Feb. 28, 2026, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Free with general admission
Kids/Families
Chinese Garden
Join Che for a guided walkthrough of The Huntington’s penjing collection, followed by an informal drop-in demonstration of practical care techniques. Learn about this centuries-old living art form and how The Huntington continues to support its legacy.
Stop by the Penjing Courtyard for:
Guided Penjing Collection Walkthrough | 11 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. – 1:05 p.m.
Che will introduce participants to penjing, covering different penjing styles and the difference between penjing and bonsai.
Penjing Fundamentals Demonstration | 11:20 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. and 1:05 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. |
The demonstration will include basic penjing care techniques, including how to design a tree, pruning, repotting, and wiring.
Penjing displayed in the Chinese Garden. Photo by Jamie Pham. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
Top image: Participants will explore the art of penjing with Che Zhao Sheng, The Huntington’s resident penjing artist. Photo by Aaron Spoto. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
Bonsai Celebration
At The Huntington’s Bonsai Celebration, discover the beauty of the ancient art form of bonsai. The celebration’s Bonsai-A-Thon, presented by the Golden State Bonsai Federation, features exceptional exhibitions by the California Bonsai Society.
The Art of Penjing
The venerable art of shaping trees and depicting landscapes in miniature—penjing—has existed in China for centuries. Visitors to The Huntington’s Chinese Garden, Liu Fang Yuan 流芳園, can see more than two dozen.
LA Times Story: The Penjing Artist Behind the Huntington’s Chinese Garden
Before he left China in 1986, Che Zhao Sheng’s shifu, or teacher, said to him, “After you go to the United States, share some of our Chinese culture with them if you have a chance.” Today, more than three decades later, the student is fulfilling that legacy, and in a major way.
Bonsai Collection
Our bonsai collection is one of the largest in the United States, representing many different species, styles, and sizes, from centuries-old twisted junipers to majestic pines and stately elm forests.