It
won’t be long before gardeners are getting back to their gardens. Early spring
is a favorite time to prune many trees and shrubs. If you are one of these
people take a few minutes to consider the following old but worthwhile practice
not often done any more.
Many
spring flowering trees and shrubs can be forced into bloom relatively easily
and will provide a splash of colour for inside your home. For those of you who
winter prune, bring some branches in where it is warm. This will trick the buds
into “thinking” it is spring, which will result in some attractive spring
colouring as flowers pop out. Check the flower buds to see if they have been
damaged by the cold before you force them (they may appear desiccated or
shriveled, they should be full and plump). This year has been very cold for an
extended period so some damage is to be expected. If you can’t tell which are
good and which are not, try it out, you have nothing but a bit of time to lose.
If all you get are leaves, when you force your branches, then the flower buds
were winter damaged.
Some
forced branches will produce roots if left long enough and this can be a way to
increase your plant supply (Pussy Willow and Forsythia come to mind).
If
you want to keep your pussy willow stems for longer don’t keep them in water,
let the catkins (the grey fuzzy buds) develop and then dry them before they go
to flower (when the catkins produce yellow pollen), they can last for years.
Many
spring flowering plants can be forced to bring a bit of spring into the house. Forcing
2 or 3 varieties or species with differing flower colours will provide an
attractive mixed display. Branches can be forced for catkins, leaves or
flowers. Instructions and some ideas for suitable plants can be found at the
following link
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