How to Force Branches of Spring Blooming Shrubs

It's winter and it's been dreary long enough already. Maybe it's time for some reminders that spring is just around the corner. An easy way to bring some spring color indoors is to force some branches of a spring blooming shrub. It's really simple, just cut a few branches from your favorite spring blooming shrubs on a day when the temperature is preferably above freezing.

Almost any shrub that blooms in the spring is a candidate to force into a blooming centerpiece for the home. Try experimenting with the types of shrubs planted in your yard. After a couple of weeks, the branches will burst into bloom and this is a sure way to get your spring fever in full swing.

One of the first blooming shrubs in my area that shouts spring is the beautiful bright yellow Forsythia shrub and they are good candidates to force into blooming early. Forsythia's are rather plain the rest of the year, but they bloom in the perfect shade of yellow. They look best if the branches have not been cut back severely and left to drape in a natural arch.

Another shrub that is a good candidate to force into early blooming is the Flowering Quince. These shrubs bloom about the same time in nature as the Forsythia but offer white, pink, orange and salmon blooms. Both of these plants are bare in the winter and this will be a good time to cut off any branches that might be crowding each other. Just be careful to not take away from the shrub's symmetry. Prune some branches from all sides of the shrub. This will not hurt the shrub and more branches will sprout in spring wherever the shrub was pruned. This will just give more blooming branches to force next winter.

Whichever shrub you choose to force into blooming indoors, make sure you cut each branch all the way to the main stem. You can always shorten the branches later if they are too long for the vase. Bring the freshly cut branches inside and immediately put them in water. Have the decorative vase or container ready for the branches. You will need the pruners, a hammer and cutting board or an appropriate surface to mash the branch ends. You will also need plastic wrap or paper towels and a mister.

Take each branch out of the water and cut the end off again. The branch will not take up enough water if not given a fresh cut. As soon as the branch is cut again, pound the end of the branch with the hammer to split it. This gives the branch a larger surface to drink in the water. Immediately place the fresh cut with the end split in a vase with water before a scab can start forming. Do this with each branch individually.

The vase of branches will need extra humidity for several days depending on how dry your indoor air is in the winter. You can wrap damp paper towels around the branches or plastic wrap to raise the humidity level. Mist the branches and keep them in a cool place for a few days. Then it will be time to unwrap them and wait for them to begin blooming.

It should take about two weeks to see the buds beginning to swell on the branches. Before long the shrubs branches will be blooming and there will be beautiful spring color in your home. Don't forget to keep fresh water in the vase every few days. The forced branches should last several weeks inside for your enjoyment. They can then be recycled to the compost pile after they have finished blooming. It's a great way to add some much needed springtime to the winter home.