Friday Favorite: Blooms in Winter
I often cut branches of various things to force indoors when the weather is still dreary outside. Forced branches, whether they have leaves or flowers, can really help during this season when the snow is mostly gone and the world outside is still brown and drab. A little color indoors reminds us that spring is not far away, soon enough our gardens will be riotous with color. Forcing branches couldn’t be easier either, simply cut, put in water, and wait.
The sunny yellow of forsythia is especially lovely to me right now, I cut these branches last week.
I’m thinking about cutting branches for flowering almond next, then perhaps I’ll try a few apple branches. If I had a star magnolia I’d cut a few of those as well. I would force lilac, but I’m not a fan of the smell at all, so those will stay outdoors. You can force branches from all sorts of trees like: quince, pussy willow, lilac, dogwood, cherry, apple, honeysuckle, spirea, hawthorn, viburnum, cherry, plum, and so many more!
Do you force blooms from branches or bulbs?
Filed under Around the House | Comments (3)
I have never tried forcing branches. My forsythia has not been stellar the past few years, but I gave it a serious haircut last spring, so I’m hoping it bounces back this year (the warmer winter will probably help too). Maybe forcing a few branches will give me a preview of what I’m in for this spring.
to Julia at Home on 129 Acres's comment
I had no idea you could do that! Our lilac could use a little trim, so I might go out tomorrow and but a branch or two!
to Natalie's comment
Sahhh, that should be “cut a branch or two.” :)
to Natalie's comment