Forcing branches to bloom

A tall vase of blooming forsythia branches can chase away the winter blahs. Bring a bit of spring indoors by gathering branches of flowering deciduous shrubs and trees and forcing them to bloom or leaf out early in your home.

When temperatures rise above freezing in late January and February, select and cut branches that have many plump buds. Cut a few more branches than you expect to use because some may not absorb water satisfactorily. Use a sharp blade and take care not to disfigure the shrub or tree.

With pruning shears or a sharp knife, carefully split the cut end, one to four inches. Place cut branches in a container of warm water and recut one inch from the base of the stem. This will help prevent air from entering the stem through the cut end, blocking water uptake. Remove any buds and twigs that will be under water.

Place containers in a warm room (60 -70 degrees) and change the water every few days. You may add a floral preservative to the container water to help control bacteria. It may take one to eight weeks for the blossoms to open. The closer to their natural bloom time that you cut the branches, the sooner they will open.

Here is a list of local favorites from the garden:

• Cercis canadensis-Redbud
• Chaenomeles spp-Japanese or Flowering Quince
• Cornus florida-Flowering Dogwood
• Hamamelis vernalis-Vernal Witch Hazel
• Crataegus spp-Hawthorn
• Forsythis spp-Forsythia
• Lonicera spp-Honeysuckle
• Magnolia soulangiana-Saucer Magnolia
• Magnolia stellata-Star Magnolia
• Malus spp-Apple and Crabapple
• Prunus spp-Flowering Almond, Cherry & Plum
• Salix caprea-European Pussy Willow
• Spiraea spp-Spirea
• Syringa spp-Lilac
• Viburnum spp-Viburnum