May 7, 2025

From Trash to Treasure: Origin of the Waterfront Botanical Garden - Bonsai Time Podcast Ep46 Part1

In Vivo Bonsai Announcements/Upcoming Events in Columbus

  • I have a number of consignment trees and pots for sale. These are from CBS members who moved away including my friend Kevin from the Bonsai Time Podcast. Trees up to moderate size I now ship within the USA with some potential limitations by state laws. Contact me for a shipping estimate or to arrange a visit in person in Columbus or for drop off at or on the way to a local bonsai show I will be attending (DC, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Cinncinatti).
  • June 18, 6-9pm. Clip and Grow Styling for Succulent Bonsai - Lecture and Workshop with Central Ohio Cactus and Succulent Society.
    • This is my next lecture/workshop here in Columbus. Since the Central Ohio Cactus and Succulent Society are already knowledgeable on succulent growing, for this educational day I will focus first on discussing styling via clip and grow. I will share some examples from Brucera (Frankincense), Jade, Dwarf Jade, and others so you can see the technique in action over time. Then you will get the opportunity to plant and style your own succulent bonsai. Species available include jade, gollum jade, dwarf jade, and others. Facebook event is here. Sign-up info coming soon.
  • July 19-20. Columbus Bonsai Society Annual Show!
    • Details coming soon but there will be vendors, workshops, and great trees! Facebook event here.

I. Episode Summary & Links

            In this episode, Kevin, Kelly, and Ryan sat down with Megan Bibelhauser of the Waterfront Botanical Garden and Russel Stevens of Twisted Nature Bonsai in Louisville, Kentucky. Among other things, in Part 1 we discussed how the Waterfront Botanical Garden was founded only 5 years ago and their major events. Then in Part 2, we focused on their new bonsai training program, bonsai collection, and Japanese garden that is under construction.

The YouTube version of Episode 46 is here!

The podcast version of Episode 46 is here!⁠

The YouTube version of Episode 47 (Part 2) is here!

The podcast version of Episode 47 (Part 2) is here!⁠

Guest Info:

Megan Bibelhauser can be found at the ⁠Waterfront Botanical Gardens⁠ in Louisville, KY, USA.

Russel Stevens can be found at⁠ Twisted Nature Bonsai⁠ and at the ⁠Greater Louisville Bonsai Society⁠.

Sponsor Info:

This episode is sponsored by the Waterfront Botanical Gardens 3rd Annual Bonsai Weekend in Louisville, Kentucky. Details at BonsaiWeekend.com. Come visit Kentucky's newest botanic garden and see what's growing with the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society. The show will feature guest judge Owen Reich, bonsai workshops, demonstrations, cultural activities, food and drink, koi fish on display from the Louisville Koi Society, and an expanded selection of vendors for all your bonsai needs. I'll be there too, and I hope to see you there May 30th-June 1st. Tickets are on sale now at BonsaiWeekend.com.

Support the Pod:

            Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.

See the relevant images and links from this episode below.

II. Show Notes / Pictures

A. Waterfront Botanical Garden History

Louisville flooding map from 1937 which immediately preceded the founding of the Ohio St Dump - the landfill that the Waterfront Botanical Garden is now built upon. This dump was started as a place to put damaged homes and goods from the flood. was found. Read more on WBG's history here.

B. Bonsai Weekend at WBG 2024 - Event Pictures

            All photo credits go to Steve Grider Photography.

1. Things to Do at Bonsai Weekend (from 2024)

            Things to do at Bonsai Weekend will vary from year to year but here are some pictures of what they had in 2024 - taiko drummers, oragami folding, coloring station, Dragon dancers, bonsai workshops, and more!














2. Bonsai Displayed at Bonsai Weekend (from 2024) from the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society / Central Kentucky Bonsai Society members + the WBG Bonsai Collection









































III. Episode Credits

Podcast Info:

The Bonsai Time Podcast is hosted, edited, & produced by Kevin Faris, Ryan Huston, & Kelly Lui. Learn more about the podcast at the links below. We expect to post new interviews and reflections monthly!

Submit questions or pictures for future Bonsai Brainstorm episodes to our email, social media DMs, or at the links below.

Your hosts can be found below:

Music by MIDICANCER. Find more music by them at the links below.

More Bonsai Projects by Ryan:

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