Late February, early March is an interesting time of year in Vancouver, it's starting to feel a lot like Spring, yet it's really still winter. Snowdrop petals, crocuses and tulip stems are popping up everywhere, and then suddenly there's a flash snow storm - it's a seasonal yo-yo, back and forth. So while my natural instinct on the warmer days is to head to a plant nursery and purchase annuals, I now know better, the weather is still too unpredictable for planting.
What I have done the past few years to bring that sense of spring and hopefulness into my home is to force blooms indoors in late February. It's amazing the difference a few pops of colour from a branch, a natural outdoor element, can make to a space, as well as a mindset.
Last year, I first tried to force bloom flowering quince branches. The result was beautiful salmon coloured blooms that lasted for 3 weeks. This year, I wanted to try different branches, so I headed to see my dear friend's Mom, Gena. She has a beautiful yard with many varieties of blooming trees, shrubs and plants. Not only is she knowledgeable about gardening, but she was kind enough to allow me to cut a few different branches from a number of different trees and shrubs
Within a week of cutting the branches from her trees and shrubs, I had stunning bright yellow and purple blooms in my living room. Seeing those blooms makes me happy!
Blooming branches, when the water is changed regularly can last for 2-3 weeks, much longer than fresh cut flowers, so it's also an economical way to bring fresh blooms indoors.
Late Winter/Early Spring Blooming Branches
Vancouver, in the southwest coast of Canada, has a pretty temperate climate with mild winters. While, I have experimented force blooming a number of tree and shrub branches, I recommend sticking with these four varieties for best bloom results.:
1. Flowering Quince - A small salmon flower with blooms along the length of the branch (bloom colours may vary to more pink than salmon and even yellow on some species). The branches are quite spiky, so wear gloves when cutting these shrubs!
2. Magnolia Tree - One large flower bloom per branch, colours can vary between white and all shades of pink (image below right).
3. Cherry Blossom Tree - A gathering or bunch of small pale pink flower blooms sprouting from the branch tip, colours vary between shades of pink.
4. Forsythia Shrub - A small bright yellow flower with multiple blooms along the length of the branch (image below left).
How-To Force Bloom Late Winter Branches
The process to force blooms should take 7-10 days. The time will vary depending on both your climate and the type of branch you force bloom. Blooms will develop at their optimal between late February to late March.
1. Find a late winter blooming tree/shrub (see list of options for temperate climates above)
2. During the warmest time of day, on a day the temperature is mild (above freezing), cut a branch with visible buds on an angle.
3. Cut a 1-2" slice parallel with the branch from the cut end.
4. Place branch indoors in a vase with warm water in indirect sunlight.
5. Change water every 1-2 days, replacing old water with fresh luke to warm water.
6. Buds and leaves will continue to develop and bloom anywhere from 5-10 days depending on tree/shrub variety.
Image above: Magnolia Tree Forced Blooms
(bottom right image - Day 1, top right image - Day 7, left image - Day 8)
Image Above: Forsythia Shrub Forced Blooms
(bottom right image - Day 1, top right image - Day 5, left image - Day 7)
If you are in need of a late winter pick-me-up, try your hand at forced branch blooms!
Take care,
Krista
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