Force Spring Flowering Shrubs Indoors
Think spring and fool Mother Nature by forcing some of your spring shrubs into flowering early--indoors! Wheneer there are several days of above normal temperature after the normal cold winter spell the stage is right for forcing branches of spring flowering shrubs indoors. Actually, there have been some springs in which forcing is the only way to enjoy those flowering branches because odd spring weather sometimes destroys the buds, resulting in no flowers on the forsythia.
Pussy Willows are the earliest and easiest to force, but Forsythia is a favorite, too. Choose branches that have the largest number of plump buds; these are usually located at the top of the shrub. Cut the branches the length you want using a slant cut, and then plunge them into cold water. Keep them in a cool place for a couple of days, and then place them in a sunny location and watch for the flowers to appear in 1-3 weeks. Remove the pussy willows from the water and let them dry as soon as the catkins develop--that is, unless you want them to develop leaves and roots as well, which would allow you to plant them outside.
Lily of the Valley normally blooms outside around May 1st. However, as soon as the ground has thawed enough, dig some pips, plant them in a pot, and set it in a sunny spot indoors. Water as needed. In about three weeks they, too, will start to bloom and send their wonderful fragrance throughout the room.