Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: Features

Media Credit: Rachel Bujalski / Daily Vidette Staff

The popularity of ornamental landscaping has boomed over the past few years. More specifically, within ornamental landscaping is the art of Bonsai trees. The methods of miniaturizing container-grown trees were first mastered in China in 200 AD.

Soon after, these processes quickly spread to other countries such as Japan. Today, Bonsai trees are seen everywhere, including the Bloomington-Normal area. As these potted plants have become more popular, entrepreneurs have initiated businesses centered around them. One such business is right down the street in Uptown Normal. Twin City Bonsai located at 123 E. Beaufort Street opened only nine months ago.

Walking into the shop, patrons will immediately notice the friendly service, colorful atmosphere, smiling customers and the rich smell of fresh flowers and potted plants. Ed Hernandez, the owner of Twin City Bonsai, explained how he became so deeply involved and interested with the art of Bonsai trees.

"I have been interested in Bonsai trees for about 12 years now. My hobby grew into an addiction. I had my own plants that I put into small pots or whatever else I could find to plant them in [and then] I had a garage sale one year and sold some of my Bonsai plants," he said. "The response was great. We made over $1,100 the first Friday and Saturday of the sale. I was not expecting that to happen at all."

Hernandez and his wife then began selling his plant cuttings at Farmers Market, which seemed to spark even more interest in potential customers.

"People who came to Farmers Market would ask where we were located. Everything started to grow after this. I never really thought about opening a business," Hernandez said. Hernandez said the process of obtaining the store was relatively simple.

"I was driving along one day and I saw a sign that was advertising this place as being for sale," he said. "We began pondering the idea and finally decided to do it. We started the business with our summer vacation money. One thing led to another and everything fell into place."

Hernandez said he focuses most on providing customers with great service. He said he tries hard to ensure each customer is getting what they ask for by letting them choose whatever arrangement they would like. Along with having a wide assortment of plants and pots to choose from, Hernandez offers his customers Bonsai lessons. Like any plant, Bonsai trees require a certain amount of care. Too much or too little care could be damaging to the plants. Hernandez gives customers instruction on how to raise these plants successfully in their homes.

"Customers come in and select material from what I have - the tree, the pot and the soil. I teach them how to raise the plants. Most of them are tropical plants. The root systems of the plants are so fine [so] I help people to understand what the plants need," Hernandez said.

Freshman music education major Christopher Punigan said he enjoyed his trip to Twin City Bonsai.

"It was nice inside. I don't know a whole lot about Bonsai trees other than the fact that they require a lot of care and attention. The owner was very helpful," he said.

As for the future, Hernandez plans to continue selling his cuttings at Farmers Market. The sale begins in May and lasts through October. Hernandez said he also has hopes of increasing the size of the business.

"We are getting to the point where we will have to expand-where and when I don't know, but we are getting there," he said.

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