It takes just minutes to bring spring indoors a few weeks early.
“Forcing” is such an intimidating word for a process that’s so fun and easy. Basically, forcing flowers just means cutting some branches from spring-flowering shrubs and then bringing them inside where it’s nice and warm so that they go into bloom a few weeks early.
Good candidates for forcing include:
Apple
Pussy willow
Cherry
Forsythia
Quince
Plum
Redbud
Magnolias
Honeysuckle
Mock orange
Traditional wisdom on forcing suggests you soak all the branches in a tub (a bathtub, if they’re really long) of cold water overnight or for several hours. This is helpful, but I haven’t found mine always need it.
What time of year you choose to force branches depends on the type of branch. As a rule, I like to force branches 2 to 4 weeks or so before they’d normally bloom. Look for buds just starting to form on the shrub. In late February I can force very early bloomers such as forsythia and pussy willow and in March I can force cherry, plum, apple, and redbud.
In April, you can force later bloomers, like lilac, azaleas, rhododendrons, and spirea, but frankly, by that time, I already have so many garden flowers I’m just not interested!
Remember that any branches you cut are “pruning cuts” that affect the overall shape of the plant, so make the cuts with care. If you need a quick review on pruning, click here for the basics and here for pruning small trees.
Please do not use content from this site without express permission from The Iowa Gardener. Click here to request permission.