460 A BICENTENNIAL HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI BRUSSEL ’S BONSAI NURSERY Brussel’s Bonsai Nursery, the largest importer and grower of fine bonsai in the United States, was founded by lifelong bonsai enthusiast Brussel Martin. Housed on eighteen acres in Olive Branch, Brussel’s Bonsai has been a destination for bonsai enthusiasts for more than thirty years but opened its present location in 2005. In order to maintain a world-renowned bonsai nursery—containing a wide variety of trees that range in cost anywhere from $20 to $20,000—Martin and his staff travel to Asia at least once every year to hand-select trees for import. Martin, known for his passion for and knowledge of bonsai trees, frequently teaches classes and workshops throughout the United States. Martin is also on the Board of the National Bonsai Foundation, and several of his groves are on display at the National Bonsai Arboretum. The nursery hosts an annual spring convention called Rendevous that draws bonsai enthusiasts and masters to Mississippi from around the world. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRUSSEL’S BONSAI NURSERY