One‑Day Wonder: Forcing Flowering Branches into Early Bloom

Large vases filled with blooming branches announce spring like nothing else. Trim branches from deciduous flowering trees or shrubs, arrange them in a vase, and watch buds unfurl—pruning now also thins the canopy for healthier growth.

Best Trees and Shrubs for Cutting

• Fruit trees: apricot, cherry, crabapple, nectarine, peach, plum
• Quince
• Forsythia
• Mimosa (Acacia baileyana)
• Saucer magnolia
• Witch hazel

Quick Guide

• Time: 15–20 minutes
• Cost: ~$15–20 for a bunch from a florist
• Materials: Pruning shears or loppers, ladder, vase, floral preservative

Steps

1. When buds show color or a few flowers open, choose a crowding or expendable branch. Cut small branches with shears, larger ones (over 1 inch) with loppers. Use 1 branch for a small vase, 3–5 for a large vase or bucket.
2. Trim stem ends to fit vase; snip off dead or damaged twigs.
3. On small stems, cut a slit in the bottom to aid water uptake. On larger branches (¾–1 inch), lightly hammer the stem end.
4. Fill vase with water and floral preservative (or 1 Tbsp sugar + ¼ tsp bleach per gallon hot water). Arrange branches.