The Asian art of Bonsai offers an alternative to the scarcity of winter. Dwarf Yaupon Holly in the Chinese penjing style, which seeks to shape trees of unusual character to aesthetic principles.

H.B.O., Albuquerque A: Since the heavenly bamboo — Nandina domestica — is living in containers, you’ll want to think of them as large bonsai plants. So here’s what I’ll suggest.

These bonsai trees, crafted from golden bamboo, moss, grasses and unique stones, are frequently adorned with custom-made ceramic figurines portraying ancient Chinese poets, monks and musicians.