How to Force Branches

Tricking the branches of flowering trees and shrubs into blooming early, a practice known as “forcing branches,” is a beautiful and colorful way to showcase the budding promise of warmer days.

Almost any bloomer can be forced at anytime, says Phil Mueller, of Star Valley Flowers in Wisconsin, which ships woody ornamentals to florists and major retailers. But to increase your chances for success, stick with forsythia, cherry, or crabapple, which generally respond well, and get started late in winter. Mueller gives his tips on forcing.

1. Cut twice It's easiest to force branches when their buds begin to plump, about three to six weeks before normal blooming season. Cut with care, considering the shape of your tree or shrub. Once inside, re-cut the bottoms of the branches on an angle with a sharp pruner.

2. Keep Wet Within 20 minutes of cutting, place the branches in a container of warm water, adding a teaspoon of bleach to kill bacteria that may rot the branches. The upper parts of the branches need to be kept moist as well; spray them frequently with a misting bottle.

3. Replicate Spring Cover the branches and keep them cool, about 50 degrees at night and 60 degrees in daytime. A garage is an ideal place for incubation, as light is not needed at this stage.

4. Bathe in Light When the blossoms begin to appear, arrange the branches in a tall vase and put them in a sunny spot. Once blooms open, change the water weekly and remove from direct sun.

Continue on to see examples of forced branches.

Video: Bring Spring Inside - Force Branches Into Bloom

A close look at a bloom of saucer magnolia reveals its creamy white interior and center button of purplish-pink stamens.

The flowers of a forced branch of dogwood have a papery look and feel.

A closeup of pear flowers show off the pure white petals and green stamens.

Kwanzan cherry blossoms are pom-poms of pink petals.

While most spring flowering trees and shrubs come in shades of pink and white, forsythia is a bright, cheery yellow.

The whiteness of spirea blooms is highlighted against the coppery bark.

Saucer magnolia blossoms open one by one over the course of several days, so a forced branch will showcase every stage from fuzzy gray buds to fully open flowers.

Forsythia is one of the easiest shrubs to force into bloom indoors.

Flowering quince in another easy plant for forcing.

Ornamental pear blooms don't last long indoors, but they're one of the whitest.

Trees and shrubs in the rose family, like flowering cherries, apples, pears (shown here), quince, flowering almond and crabapples, are reliable for forcing into bloom indoors.

Spirea's dainty white blossoms are like a dusting of snow.

Flowering dogwood is more challenging to force, but worth the effort to get a sneak peek at spring.

Kwanzan cherry's long branches work best in a tall vase.

Flowering plum has pale pink petals and burgundy stamens.

Forced branches can be arranged in unconventional arrangements, like this saucer magnolia.

The form of flowering quince is so architectural, sometimes all it takes is a single branch.