Forcing Branches III

Three and a half weeks after the snowstorm and from when I brought some branches in and finally they opened late last week. It took a bit longer than I expected, but the display is quite nice.

Here are some blooms of tulip magnolia.
And ornamental cherry.
Both vases as seen on my messy dining room table.

Winter Blooms

Some of my houseplants are blooming right now. I bought this cyclamen more than a year ago to decorate my house for New Year's. Typically it is hard to get cyclamen to bloom again the following year, but this gal might have liked my cold and shady laundry room where I kept it from spring to late fall.This amaryllis--also from a grocery store--was supposed to be white and I was hoping it would bloom around Christmas. Oh well. I hope to add this one to my collection of amaryllis bulbs.
This is how my coffee table and mantel looks right now. The orchid on the coffee table was an unexpected gift from a neighbor recently.
Beautiful!
With all the blooming houseplants around, there's really no need for cut flowers. Besides, the branches that I'm forcing are about to come into bloom... I'd never guess I would have more blooms in my house in February than at any other time when it's warm outside.

First Snowdrops

This year's first snowdrops in a sunny spot in neighbor's front yard.

Forcing Branches II

After a recent winter storm, there are lots of broken down tree branches in my neighborhood. Otherwise I would not clip branches from a live tree in winter, but since these, unfortunately, will become waste, it's a great opportunity to bring some branches indoors for forcing. Just place branches in water and watch them being fooled that spring is here.These are from tulip magnolia. I took garden clippers and sniped some smaller branches for a vase in my home. The blooms should open after a few days I think.
I also have brought in a branch from my dogwood--it was also broken during the storm. Not sure if that will produce any blooms, but it's worth trying. Besides, it looks great as is.

There's a big cherry tree branch down behind the church, but I have not been back to get a cutting or two from it yet. I'm sure I can force some blooms out of that. My own lilac also got damaged, but I have never had any luck forcing lilac, although I know it's possible.

Another easy-to-force tree that comes in mind is hazel.