Shohin root-over-rock with a story

One can say that every bonsai tells a story, but some have multiple layers of narrative. Root-over-rock trees are usually highly contrived and often evoke the impression of a tree in an extreme environment such as a mountain or cliff... this tree is no different in intent, but the tale goes deeper and is more personal.

This composition, still developing, is a reminder of two friends. 

Let's start with the rock. This rock is a reminder of my time living in a special shared house with some very dynamic and interesting people, many of whom became great friends of mine. Andrés is a Chilean glaciologist who was completing his PhD when I lived with him, a big character, great story teller who has many adventures to relate, and an excellent scientist to boot. When he left Bristol a few rock samples from Antarctica remained in our garden, and this one I claimed as a memento. It's a very old, possibly precambrian, metamorphic rock and I knew straight away that I wanted to grow a tree over it... but what species?

A few years later I was helping my friends Monty and Rosemarie with some gardening and found a sapling growing into their wall, I removed it before it did any damage and asked if I could keep it. This little Rockspray Cotoneaster (C. horizontalis) was perfect for growing over a rock . Monty was an eminent Psychiatrist and an elder in our church family who was erudite, witty, and wise, and which challenged me to think deeply about my fledgling faith and my attitudes to life and relationships. Rosemarie is charming, kind, and generous. Monty died some years ago, and I haven't seen Rosemarie recently, but they left a mark on my life for which I will always be grateful.

Now 12 years as a bonsai, this tree is precious to me in a way that that belies its diminutive size.