There's nothing like a few sprigs of apple blossoms or forsythia flowers to chase away the last of the winter blues. It's easy to do and does wonders for your spirits. I had been eying the crabapple in our cul-de-sac. I just hadn't figured out how to scale the ice-crusted snow wall coming between us without breaking something. Like me.
I'll confess I purchased these pre-forced peach branches at the grocery store. I went in for a jar of mayo and they called out to me from clear across the deli. That's often how nice things happen, when you aren't seeking them out.
I think they make an interesting counterpoint to the icicles outside, don't you?
Although it does require sharp tools, forcing sounds violent, I prefer to think of it as persuading. Here are a few other candidates for this treatment.
- Honeysuckle
- Vernal Witch Hazel
- Dogwood
- Quince
- Almond
- Cherry
- Spirea
Prune budded branches carefully. Bring inside and trim to fit your container. Split the end about 4 inches, and then place under water to trim another inch. This keeps the branch from sealing, which reduces water uptake.
Place branches in warm water and indirect light, hopefully away from heat vents. It can take one to eight weeks to see flowers. Occasionally it fails, but you'll still get leaves at least. But at this point we can't be too picky.
"Only" 22 days until spring, hang in there!
