Can't wait for spring to draw out the beautiful bursts of forsythia, crabapple, and ornamental cherries, plums and almonds? You can fool Mother Nature by forcing cuttings from these and other flowering trees and shrubs to bloom indoors. They make beautiful arrangements by themselves or as tall, vertical accents to mixed cut flower displays.

Take healthy cuttings from shrubs that have experienced at least 6 weeks of cold weather. Trees and shrubs that are popular sources for forcing include Bridal wreath spiraea, any of the ornamental fruit trees, flowering dogwood, flowering quince, forsythia, magnolia, mock orange, fruit trees (apple, peach, pear, plum, cherry), witch hazel, and others.

Ideally, cut branches that you might normally cut in pruning, such as any crossing over other branches or slightly damaged branches, or those that are rubbing a roof or wall. But make sure they are alive. They should be somewhat pliable, with signs of green when the bark is scratched slightly with your fingernail.

Choose long branches that have interesting bends or curves, but take care not to seriously disfigure the plant you're leaving behind.

Take the branches inside. Lightly tap the cut ends with a hammer to splinter them, and soak all branches overnight in water. This will soften the buds and encourage them to open sooner.

After soaking, put the cut ends of the branches in a container of water and place them in an out-of-the-way spot that is cool and receives some light, but not direct sunlight. When you begin to see color in the buds, arrange the branches in a vase with water and display. Choosing a location that is cool with indirect light will lengthen the blooming period. Enjoy!