This site is an archive of ChiotsRun.com. For the latest information about Susy and her adventrures, visit the Cultivate Simple site.
Thank you for all your support over the years!

Friday Favorite: Blooms in Winter

March 4th, 2016

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.
forced forsythia branches 3
The sunny yellow of forsythia is especially lovely to me right now, I cut these branches last week.
forced forsythia branches 1
forced forsythia branches 2
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?

3 Comments to “Friday Favorite: Blooms in Winter”
  1. Julia at Home on 129 Acres on March 4, 2016 at 4:00 pm

    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.

    Reply to Julia at Home on 129 Acres's comment

  2. Natalie on March 5, 2016 at 9:38 pm

    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!

    Reply to Natalie's comment

  3. Natalie on March 5, 2016 at 9:38 pm

    Sahhh, that should be “cut a branch or two.” :)

    Reply to Natalie's comment

About

This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

Admin
Read previous post:
Planting in the Low Tunnel

This past Sunday we had a beautiful day, highs near fifty and sunny. Perfect for working in the garden, only...

Close