“You can cut all flowers, but you can’t keep spring from coming.” – Pablo Neruda
As I write this article, I look out my window into my side courtyard and I still see snow. I long for spring blossoms. My tulips and daffodils have started peeking out and are about 1 to 2 inches tall. My hellebore, also known as the fasting rose, is still under a little snow in the next yard, but what shows up is very green. I expect to see flowers on them soon as they bloom very early. I don’t have a crocus for some reason, but my sister who lives in Rock Springs says hers are in bloom. Spring has sprung and can’t come fast enough for this gardener. If you’re like me and you’re still waiting for spring blooms to arrive, you can bring in a few twigs from your spring flowering trees and shrubs to force them to bloom. Some great ones are forsythia, witch hazel, eastern red bud, cherry, pussy willow, and even lilac. We have pussy willows that are growing nearby and are already beginning to “bloom” so they don’t even need to be forced. Once you’ve made a decision to prune some branches, choose a day with temperatures above freezing and pick branches 1 to 2 feet long that are not to be missed – especially if you have a branch or two out of the Prune your neighbour’s shrub – using suitable pruning techniques. When you have brought the twigs indoors, cut a cross in the bottom of the twig and place them in a container or vase filled with room temperature water. Place your bouquet in bright indirect light, away from drafts. Re-cut the ends every day and change the water every few days. I have four planted containers in my garage that I planted last fall with daffodils, tulips and hyacinths that I will be bringing out this week. Two have sprouted so it’s definitely time. Between the forced branches and these potted plants, I should have some spring blooms.
