Are
we the luckiest people in the World? While they are soggy in the northwest,
and parched in the southwest, the east coast shoveling endless snow,
the Front Range of Colorado is enjoying the mid winter break we always
get. Plenty of sunshine, warm and breezy days and the occasional bit
of moisture keep our spirits high, and our landscapes pretty happy!
If you
have been outdoors in the past weeks, you have noticed that some of
your shrubs and trees have buds that are getting ready for spring-sometimes
too ready. What a perfect opportunity to do some “creative landscaping”.
The buds on your small shrubs, trees, and bushes can be forced indoors,
creating the promise of the new season through the winter days that
we know are still to come in February and March.
Here is
how: If you can lightly scrape through the outer edges of a bud and
see any green, the bloom can probably be forced indoors. Take clean
pruning shears and cut the branch back. Put the branches in cool water,
put in a sunny window and watch the magic. The warmth of the sun on
the water will cause the buds to open. Be patient, Mother Nature will
take her time, but what an amazing sight to see the color form and blooms
take place. Do NOT change the water- It will stay clean on its own as
the PH balances-kind of like the pond that stays clear. Perfect candidates
for this are forsythia, spirea, fruits and woody stemmed growers, and
of course pussy willow.
But here
is the secret-cut some of those leaf bushes-willows, birches, red bud,
dogwood are a few of the really wonderful growers that leaf out in a
vase, and are stunning to watch. Tall and graceful, they become the
perfect companion to cut tulips, lilies and gerbera daisies.
We are already seeing quince, forsythia and pussy willow at the shop,
and it brightens any day to see them.
So enjoy!
The snowy days ahead will be brightened, and like I said-aren’t
we the Luckiest people in the world to live here?
Karen
Novotny owns the Garden Path Co. in Castle Pines. She specializes in
European style floral design for all occasions, including weddings,
parties and special event co-ordinating.
