Photo: Mary Pratte
Now that the light has changed, the clocks will soon be put forward, the birds are trying out their spring songs, and the sun is giving off a bit more heat than even two weeks ago, well, pretty soon we will start to feel that spring is really not too far away,
But in the meantime, we still have many bare branches to look at outside, and inside our houses are devoid of much natural plant material, apart from a house plant or two (and maybe a Christmas Poinsettia???). Lots of people find February and the beginning of March very discouraging, but I find it uplifting and full of hope! I try to think of what a tree or a shrub is doing at this time of year. The roots are starting to grow, albeit slowly in the cold soil; the bud scales (coverings of modified leaves which protect the flower buds from the harsh winter weather) are swelling; and the sap (as we know if we stand under a maple with a damaged branch) is starting to flow. I can tell you that things are stirring out there, despite the frigid temperatures, and all is getting ready to burst forth!
And we are almost ready to bring some of that spring happiness into our homes so that the last bit of winter can be banished. It is easy to do, but not many people do it. I am talking about forcing branches for your home.
About this time of the year, once temperatures go a bit above freezing, and once you think that the plants have had a minimum of six weeks of cold so they are ready to break dormancy, you can cut branches from many trees and shrubs which set their buds the previous fall. I am talking about things like Lilacs, Magnolias, Quince, Flowering Almond, Cherry and Pear trees, Apples and Crab Apples, Forsythia, Eastern Redbud, Willow, Amelanchiers (Serviceberries). There are certainly others, but these are the main ones.
This process is a simple one - take out your secateurs, making sure they are clean so they do not damage branches which remain on the plant, and cut several stems, each about 12-18” long, but not too many or you will stress the plant. The branches should also be taken with the overall health and shape of the plant in mind, so, treat it as if it is just a slightly early spring pruning! Crossing branches often are chosen for taking indoors, as long as they have swelling, round buds which will turn into flowers, and not too many thinner pointy buds, which are often leaf buds.
A single Magnolia branch looks stunning in this unusual vase, even when still in bud. Photo: Linda Russell
Just one makes a statement in a beautiful vase if it is multi-branched and can stand on its own or with a frog (or a Japanese Kenzan - a device placed at the bottom of a container to hold stems in the desired position). Magnolia, with its knobby and structural branches are ideal in this type of vase, whereas Forsythia does well when displayed more loosely, just as it would be in your garden - 6-8 stems in a tall, wide-mouthed vase will be just beautiful! Apples and pears, as well as Flowering Cherries look very good in Asian flower arrangements, with their delicate light pink blossoms.
Lovely loose branches of Forsythia. This is the number one choice for early colour in our homes. Easy to force, of a wonderful cheery yellow like the bright sunshine of spring, and long-lasting indoors… if kept in a cool spot, out of the sun, it will last a good two weeks. Photo: Linda Russell
Cut the branches, ideally on a day where temperatures are just above zero, above a node (the place where a stem attaches to a larger stem or branch, and where a bud is located) then place the branches pretty well entirely into warm water for several hours. You then want to make a final cut diagonally underwater at the bottom of the branch so that oxygen does not get into the vascular system of the stems and block the flow of nutrients and water through them. The air acts like a plug. If your branch is thick and very woody - Lilac, Magnolia - you might need to either cut a 1”-2” cross through the bottom of the branches or pound the end of the stem with a hammer so that more of the vascular system is exposed to and is able to take up water.
It is a good idea to put some floral preservative into the vase as it can take a good couple of weeks to bring the branches into flower. You can also change the water several times a week to try to keep bacteria from blocking the flow of water into the stems. Or you might also consider a couple of drops of bleach in the water, although I always worry I will add too much and kill the branch! My friends tells me it's ok , and just to stir the water after putting those drops in.
Once your arrangement is completed, place the container in a cool spot with bright, indirect light. Before you know it, your home will be filled with beautiful, delicate arrangements, and perhaps even with the lovely smell of spring if you have cut some lilacs or fragrant magnolias.
Magnolia buds about to bloom. Photo: Linda Russell
Magnolia in all its glory in the house. Photo: KM
Magnolia x lobneri (Leonard Messell). Photo: Althea Barcubero
This is such an easy project, and a big plus is that it gets us outdoors when we would prefer hibernating.
Give it a try!!
Just a bit of a related item… if you have had dogwood and/or willow of various colours in your winter planters, they will root in the early spring in the container, and if you have cut branches of white birch still in the containers from winter, you can make a really beautiful early spring arrangement once you have removed the browned evergreen boughs.
Outdoor urns with yellow dogwood and white birch, ready for spring bulbs planted at their feet. Adding spring bulbs will give you a beautiful container. Photo: Mary Pratte
Last year, in about early April, I had left-over white Birch and yellow dogwood (with fresh, new leaves sprouting along the stems) and I underplanted with small narcissus from Loblaws, either flowers entirely yellow like tête à tête, or yellow and white, such as Minnow. Or hyacinths or tulips, or….etc. A simple addition of flowers to go with the branches makes for a beautiful combination! And I reuse the Birch every year, so a real bargain… I did take photos of this combination, but can't find them right now, so, in the meantime, here is the birch with the yellow dogwood branches in my containers…in your mind, fill in the blank spots with some of the miniature daffodils, or any spring-flowering bulbs, and, Voilà! A quick bit of decoration in the urns at my front door until the annuals are ready.