Transform Your Space with Indoor Blossoms Natasha Breen – Getty Images”Note: We may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this article.” Yearning for a glimpse of spring? Embrace the beauty of the season by forcing blooming branches from your garden, a timeless practice that bridges the gap between winter and spring.“Numerous shrubs and trees can bloom indoors weeks ahead of their outdoor schedule,” shares Heather Sherwood, senior horticulturalist at the Chicago Botanic Garden. This method, cherished for centuries and popular in English country interiors, infuses your space with the warmth and vibrancy of springtime.Early outdoor bloomers are ideal candidates for indoor forcing. The secret is to wait for a few days of milder weather, above 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and then venture outside to survey your plants. “Experiment with early spring bloomers,” recommends Sherwood. “Look for plants with budding signs.”Identifying these buds, resembling small nubs, rounded peas, or swelling grains of rice on branches, is straightforward, notes Sherwood. On a mild day above freezing, when branches are supple, select your specimens with ease.Don’t fret about making mistakes—the worst outcome is simply a lack of blooms. It’s a brief, enjoyable activity (just 10 minutes!) that allows you to connect with nature and bring the outdoors inside, requiring only a pair of bypass pruners.Read on for a step-by-step guide on forcing spring branches indoors.
Top Choices for Blooming Shrubs and Trees to Forceolga_d – Getty ImagesThough many spring bloomers can be coaxed to flower indoors, these shrubs and trees are renowned for their reliable performance:Forsythia (Forsythia)Pussy willow (Salix discolor)Serviceberry (Amelanchier)Flowering quince (Chaenomeles)Crabapple (Malus)Redbud (Cercis)Witch hazel (Hamamelis)Cornelian cherry dogwood (Cornus mas)Flowering plum (Prunus)Korean spicebush (Viburnum carlesii ‘Korean Spice’)Steps to Encourage Indoor Blooms on Spring BranchesBogdan Sonjachnyj / 500px – Getty ImagesFollow these straightforward instructions from Sherwood for forcing spring branches:Select your branch. Opt for one that won’t affect the plant’s appearance, such as an overlapping or inconspicuous branch. Avoid cutting branches that are prominently visible.Trim the branch straight across using bypass pruners, not at an angle. “Circular wounds heal more efficiently than oblong ones,” Sherwood explains.Cut several branches measuring 18 to 36 inches in length. Upon bringing them indoors, make an angled cut on the stem to aid water absorption in the vase. Remove any buds below the water line to prevent bacterial growth.Place the branches in warm
Ensure your flowers bloom by placing them in a cool spot, similar to how you would care for cut flowers. Don’t forget to follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok for more inspiration. For more home-related content, check out these articles: “15 Home Bar Gifts Every Cocktail Enthusiast Will Appreciate” and “32 Low Light Indoor Plants That Can Survive in the Darkest Corners of Your Home.” Discover the top 50 paint colors for your living room, too.
