Last updated on January 23rd, 2022
For me, a vase of golden forsythia is the perfect antidote to the winter blues. Cut the stems in January or February, and they will bloom for you about two weeks later. Of course, the twigs will appear dead at first. But the flowers are there, just waiting for the warmth and light your windows can provide. Here’s my easy forcing-routine:
No matter how frigid the weather, go out with sharp pruners and gather some forsythia bouquets. I clip mine from the big shrub in my front yard (above), even when the branches are caked with ice. Choose branches of varying lengths and shapes for the best sculptural effect.
Fun Fact #1: Forsythia requires only 30 cumulative (not consecutive) hours of below 40-degree temperatures in order to bloom. That’s why the branches can be forced so early in the year.
Fun Fact #2: Forsythia is named for William Forsyth (1737-1804). He discovered the shrub while on a plant-hunting mission in China.
Fun Fact #3: It warms my heart to know that you appreciate fun facts.
And here are the branches I collected. As you can see, I’m not wearing gloves on this nippy day. So let’s head back to the house, okay?
Indoors, cut the stems to attractive bouquet lengths. Also, cut off any side-shoots that would otherwise be submerged in the vase. You can force these tiny trimmings, too. Just place them in tiny vases.
I put some of my trimmings into these nifty “hanging” vases in the music room window.
In any event, be sure to smash the base of each stem with a hammer. Smashed stems will quickly absorb water.
After you smash the stems, you’ll notice some green tissue beneath the bark. The green is the cambium layer, and it is responsible for producing new roots and new shoots, and for making new tissue to heal over wounds. To discover if a woody plant is alive or dead, just scrape off a bit of bark. If the cambium layer is green, you can be sure the plant is very much alive.
To keep the water sweet, add a drop of household bleach to the vase. Then insert the stems.
I set my vase on the plant stand in front of a tall, south-facing window in my parlor. The branches, even when dormant, make a fascinating silhouette.
I like to place ‘Blue Jacket’ hyacinths in the same window as the forsythia. Last October, I set these bulbs “on vase” and then chilled them for 12 weeks in a spare refrigerator. Hyacinths require this cold, dark treatment in order to bloom.
As you can see, the vases are small enough to fit on the latch ledge of a window.
Hyacinths, in bloom on the latch ledge.
And here are the forsythia branches, all covered with glowing, golden flowers. I placed pink wax begonias (these are great houseplants) around the forsythia vase. On the lower shelf are pots of purple and white Primula obconica (obtained from the florist).
Need a little color in your life? Tromp through the snow today, and collect an armful of “dead” forsythia twigs. These, in very short order, will produce an extraordinary spring portrait for your home.
And if you enjoyed this article, by all means drop me a line in the comments field below. As always, I love to hear from you.
Hungry for more? Get my email updates.
Related Posts:
Plant Propagation: Layering
African Violets: How I Achieve Constant Bloom
Forcing Hyacinths for Winter Bloom
Louise McPhillips says
Lovely! Here in Alabama, the forsythia is already sporting some sporadic bloom outside but I still bring it inside to force. In the garden, I have leftover paperwhites (from Christmases past) and hellebores blooming and the daphne odora is budded out!
Amy Halvorson Miller says
Your window photo appears as still-life medicine against the winter blues. I am sad now to think of the begonia I let freeze outside–next year I’ll do better.
I bought a amaryllis bulb on an after-Christmas clearance, seeing a lovely bud poking out of the box. Got it home to find it was so cramped in its packaging that it grew bent. Now it is blooming nicely but with its stem at a right angle to the bulb. Oh well, it’s my rescue plant brightening up the breakfast nook window.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Louise McPhillips – Oh, the scent of Daphne odora! Sounds like spring is just around the corner for you.
Amy Halvorson Miller – I always feel sorry for the department store amaryllis bulbs that are trapped in boxes. Kudos to you for rescuing one of them.
Donna Libbey says
Big Hello from N.H. What a great idea! I’ll have to try this…Thank you Kevin.
Julie B says
Kevin, I store the hyacinth bulbs in our rather chilly garage. when I’m ready to pot them up ( or rather glass them) I bring them in, place on the east facing kitche ledge and voila – two days later we have visible roots and daily growth. This is much easier for me than finding room for them in the ‘fridge.
I’ve also found that using small pots filled with fairly fine gravel works just about as well as my hyacinth glasses. This is handy for those times when your bulb count outstrips your hyacinth face count. 🙂
Erin says
Beautiful, just beautiful.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Donna Libbey – I think you’ll enjoy the branches when they bloom in your home. I certainly do!
Julie B – I’m glad that method works for you. I’ve tried it, and although the bulbs bloomed, they did not bloom as well or as quickly as those which were allowed to make their roots while in cold storage.
Erin – So glad you like the arrangement. Thank you.
Donna B. says
Ahhh yes… now I have this to add to my list of “things to do this weekend!” Yay!
I definitely love forcing branches and bulbs [my hyacinth’s are doing great!] I want to find more sources for blooming branches other than a border of forsythia [that lines mine and my neighbors properties]… There’s a beach near me that has those really nice white/pink ‘bradford pear’ tree’s… maybe I need to take my pruners out there.. hmmm.
Maybe while the dogs get their walk on Saturday I’ll take trimmings!
[devious plotting from a gardener… how silly! >D]
badger gardener says
I like the branches before they bloom too, even though they are more spectacular when they burst open. My kids love to check on the buds daily to see what stage they are in. This is the season where I pull out my Asian-inspired dining table runner and place one of my forsythia arrangements there. I didn’t realize they were native to China. Now I can consider it my Chinese New Year decorating as they will likely be blooming about that time.
Speaking of Spring, it feels like it outside today. I miss Wisconsin winters where I can just dream about my garden instead of feeling like I should be out working in it.
Jesica says
Hi Kevin,
Can you tell me where I can buy some forcing jars? I have looked and looked online, but only found one place selling them… and they wanted more for shipping to AK than the jars cost (people don’t seem to understand that we do have USPS here…).
Jesica
Casey Cavasher says
Kevin — delighted to have discovered your blog via referral from your cousin, Julie Blackman, also here in Portland OR. Can’t wait to try forcing some forsythia and hyacinths to chase away the January gloom!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Donna B. – You can cut crab apple and witch hazel branches now, too. Give ’em the same hammering as forsythia.
badger gardener – Wacky weather here, too. Nearly 50 degrees today, and rain. Buh-bye, gorgeous snow.
Jesica – I ordered my amethyst-colored hyacinths jars from a local home-decorating shop, and obtained the clear-glass ones from a local florist. But you can find all kinds of jars (at all kinds of prices) at Amazon.com. Probably you can find them at Ebay.com, too.
Casey Cavasher – Nice to meet you. Forsythia is a cinch. Have fun!
Sarah says
Has anyone had success with flowering quince? I have a large bush, and I love the color…a exotic tropical coral. I’m going to give it a try.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Sarah – I’ve successfully forced flowering quince. You can see the shrubs here and here.
Kate says
Awesome, Kevin. I love the fireworks and waterfall effect of forsythia in the springtime! I have the perfect South facing window for this… and don’t forget pussy willow… in water, it not only blooms but also helps other plant stems form roots!
Peace,
Kate
Carole says
What a great idea, Kevin! I can always count on you to have some idea I’ve never heard of before to add to my modest gardening/cooking/decorating storehouse of knowledge.
Pamela Terry says
Loved reading this! Can’t wait to try it. Forsythia is a fav. Don’t don’t know if it is the color ,shape or just the timing of blooming….probably all makes it wonderful!
blake says
HelloKevin,
I have always wanted to do this. So as soon as I read your directions, I left the computer, and went outside. Now I have a big beautiful vase filled with the branches, and a smaller one with the cuttings off the larger branches. I have a tea coming up in a couple of weeks, and it will be great if they have bloomed by then. Thanks for sharing this timely winter tip.
Joyce says
Yes, I like to pot my hyacinths up in gravel as well. Even though it’s frosty here in Washington state, the crocuses and snowdrops are pipping. Spring can’t be far away!
Lola says
Fantastic.
Kim R says
Lovely, simply lovely. I can almost smell the hyacinths. Would this method work for lilacs or should I just wait on them? I really enjoy your blog. Loved the afternoon tea piece.
Wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year!
BjTreants says
Kevin Lee, before all the day light is gone for today, I will cut some branches to bring into the house. You just know the neatest ideas for adding color to our homes. Thank you, BjT
KimH says
Just beautiful on this chilly winter day! Enjoyed this very much!
Jude says
A collection of forsythia, quince, and dogwood all placed in a tall vase bloom and look beautiful together. I also like to put hyacinth bulb in assorted stem wine glasses. Put about an inch of water in first and place bulbs carefully in glazes. Keep eye on water level.
Cathy Fruhauf says
Every year I force forsythia branches and take them to the income tax office where I work….cheers up the place and is a pleasant surprise for the waiting clients so early in the season…also take some to the senior center..
Mary Anderson says
I am certainly going to try this tip. I can’t wait each year for my forsythia to bloom.
dori says
I like the hyacinth job. Will it work for giant alliums? These are showing green in my Seattle garden right now.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Dori – Yes, alliums can be forced indoors. The smaller types would look gorgeous in a window garden.
badger gardener says
I went and checked on my garden during that Jan. thaw. I noticed that the carrots I left in the ground have been chomped upon. I was looking forward to them after you told us how they sweeten up over Winter. I’ll assume our resident bunny needed some fresh food more than we did, and she did leave one untouched, so I’ll forgive her.
Also, during the thaw I heard that bold raccoon scratching at the outside of our roof gable. Luckily my husband’s wire-mesh reinforcements seem to have held up and I scared it off from my bedroom window just below. Haven’t heard it since but am guessing we will again. Here’s hoping we only hear it on the outside in all future encounters.
caryn says
Hi Kevin, I love your website. I love forsythias too, but no southern exposure. Will any window work?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
badger – Better pull (and enjoy) that remaining carrot! I’ll keep my fingers crossed that your racoon remains outdoors. Squirrels have been entering the fireplace wall of my music room. The climb one of the shutters and then enter through an opening in the old “yankee” gutter. Lily the Beagle can hear them in the wall, and it is driving her crazy.
caryn – You can force forsythia (and witch hazel and crabapple) branches in any exposure that is fully light. They have bloomed for me not only in southern exposures, but in east- and west-facing windows, too.
badger gardener says
Good luck w/ those squirrels. Poor Lily. Penny, our terrier mix was not the least bit concerned w/ our raccoon when it was upstairs.
I think I missed my opportunity to get that carrot pulled up as the recent cold front brought a bizarre form of precipitation with it. It reminded me that the Inuit people in the far North have over a hundred words for snow. It wasn’t quite sleet, freezing rain, or snow, but a weird hybrid. It left behind this layer of ice unlike any I can remember seeing. When you look outside it looks like a dusting of snow, but when you walk on it you don’t leave any footprints ,as if walking on reinforced glass. Even my neighbors who usually keep their driveways and sidewalks meticulously clear in Winter, have not even made an attempt at it clean-up. It came rolling in during the final quarter of the Packers losing playoff effort ( not a great combination of factors for highway safety here in WI). 2 days later it is still solid, so I don’t think the bunny is getting that carrot either. Maybe I’ll have another chance.
Lisa Kadison says
What synchronicity! Just yesterday I was inspired to clip some branches from my quince bush for forcing. With this mild weather, the buds on the branches look like they’re ready to burst, so I sense the blooms will take days, not weeks, to appear. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos and tips!
Amanda W says
Awesome!! Didn’t know this could be done at all! I came on for a French bread recipe, and have been sidetracked for the last 30 minutes :). Such a great site! Thanks for sharing!
Christina Giordano says
Thanks for reminding me about bringing forsythia branches in to force. I clipped some branches yesterday and am looking forward to the blooms to come in February.
garden ninja says
I think I love you! Have been here 3 nights in a row. Love everything here! Thank you
Kathy Fober says
I rescued some magnolia branches from a friend once and they forced beautifully! I’m going to try witch hazel per your suggestion. I also have a crab tree that I will try forcing. Thanks for the suggestions. I have had amaryliss for many years and had about 50 at one time. When I was about to pot them up they had a white mold or mealy bugs all over them and i threw them all out and now I’m starting my collection over. New varieties are always fun. These flowers get me through the winter!
Judy Brown says
My hyacinths bloomed beautifully under your direction. The whole room is fragrant with their scent.
Next, off to clip some crab apple branches.
Kelly Brown says
Kevin–Great post, as always. We force magnolias and crabapples. Your post inspired me to try the hyacinths.
Jessica says
Hi! Can you please point me in the direction to your blog on, “forcing tulips to grow inside.” If one exists of course. 🙂
If not, would you mind walking me through the process of doing so?
Thanks!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Jessica – Here ’tis: How I Force Tulips for Winter Bloom
Jude says
Just a note on a typo: I know you meant “cambium layer” instead of “cambian layer” in your discussion of green tissue beneath the bark. I do enjoy reading those teachable moments and appreciate your website for its many hints and suggestions.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Jude – Thanks for alerting me to the incorrect spelling. Fixed now!
Helene says
As a North Easterner, i thank you for your hint about “forcing” blooms early with tree and shrub twigs. When they bloom, it will bring Spring into being much earlier. BY the way, my indoor hibiscus is still blooming. It’s so great to see so many blooms during the winter months.
Sandra says
Hi Kevin,
One year I cut some branches from a tree for a sweet little ceramic bird to rest on. I brought them in before Christmas and added Christmas decorations and then some spring ribbons. One day I looked at the bird and the branches were leafing out!!! This was amazing since they had not been in water since I cut them. Sorry, I don’t remember what type of brances they were, but what a lovely spring surprise!
Leslie D says
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for the reminder for forcing shrubs – I had not considered the quince, but it would be lovely. I love reading the comments from all your fans. Your egg-bread recipe sounds great – too good to resist. I’m looking at heavy snow resting on all the trees and shrubs here – very pretty, but not if you have to shovel it off the driveway.
Your blog is so cheering and informative. Thanks for all you share with us. I’m going to wade out to get some Forsythia when I am able to get through the snow. Like everyone else I’m looking forward to Spring and more of your ideas.
Patsy Price says
I didn’t know this. I also left my begonias out to freeze. I have too many plants to bring in and not enough space for them all. Next year I hope to have a green house to store some of my plants and maybe swap them out during the winter. Thanks for this idea.
Claudia says
Amazing!
Susi says
Levon, I’m a potter. Do the hyacinths need clear glass to be forced, or will they fare well in an opaque vase?
Susi says
Ah, the auto-correct. I meant Kevin!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Susi – Hyacinths are not fussy. They will grow their roots in either clear or opaque vases.
Jean says
I’m going out now! I just wish I had thought of the bulbs too!
vgnancy says
Thanks Kevin for another cheer-producing idea! I’m on my way outside with clippers right now.
bev says
Thanks for your tips and beautiful pictures……. I have several redbud trees,,,,, Can I try the forcing method you described on them as well? Also, I have some begonias in a pot that I have overwintered in the garage in front of a window. The plant still looks good but has not had flowers for a couple of months. When I bring it outside in the spring, What should I do to encourage blooming…… A big thank you to you in advance!!!
Larry Christenson says
Kevin, I have about 200 Lynwood Gold Forsythia hardwood cuttings in a plastic tub outside. They’ve been there since Jan. 4th and I’m waiting for them to root this spring. Is it too late to force a few to bloom inside or can I give it a try?
Mary Alice says
I have forsythia blooming in the kitchen and absolutely love it. I’d like to try the witch hazel but I’d have to swim through 3 feet of snow to reach it. Next year I’ll get some before it snows. 🙂
Carol Dewald says
Hi!
Thanks, Kevin, for your wonderful newsletter–it’s such a treat to see what new ideas you have each week! I made your chive blossom vineger & am going to try your milk bottle greenhouses! I save your newsletters on my computer for future reference!
Thanks again!
Carol
kribbons says
Thanks for such a breath of spring! It is another snowy day here with at least another one tomorrow so the spring flowers were wonderful! I always feel like I am right there with you on your outings. Have a wonderful week!
Samantha says
Hi Kevin! We have forsythia blooming in our kitchen window that was cut several weeks ago. My forsythia bush is a cutting from the big one at the corner of my Grandma deLacy’s yard. She had two, and we used the cascading branches as forts and hide-outs when we were kids. The bushes were huge and ancient, and we could fit our whole gang underneath either one. I rooted some of those branches when we bought our home, and I am glad I did. My grandmother died in 1993, and her home was sold, but I have many of the plants she grew and loved, including her forsythia. I am so pleased to have “her” forsythia growing in my yard, and I am rooting branches to plant in yet another spot. Just love those airy, sunny flowers!
Susi says
Kevin, will the forced hyacinth bulbs bloom next year, or are they best just composted after they bloom?
Holly K says
That is just the most beautiful window of blooming spring happiness you have Kevin. You always have such wonderful ideas. This may be just a bit off topic but on your advice last fall I took a bunch of petunia cuttings before they all perished and I planted them up. Now I have a window full of three different colours of petunias just a blooming away. I can’t walk past that window and not smile. Thank you for providing us with deep winter blooms and smiles.
Clare H. says
Hi Kev, i have two questions and a comment.When you say you put your bulbs “on vase” and then in your spare frig., do you mean you fill the vases with water during the weeks of chillin in the frig?or do you put them in the frig without water and when you take them out thats when they get water and grow roots?My other question/comment is about Forsythia. Ive lived in downtown Milwaukee Wisconsin over 30 years, for many years we had a shopping area that had beautiful 6 to 8 foot bushes of Forsythia but the moment they would bloom and were most beautiful the owners of the area would have them all cut down. Do you have any idea why this was done each year? How i wish the stores would sell branches to force, ive only been able to buy pussy willow in the grocery, alas its container gardening only in the summer and no branches for me unless i risked being arrested for pruning in the public parks :/
Samantha Gray says
It’s 45 degrees, I walked the collies without a jacket and now I’m off to gather forsythia from the bush that began as cuttings from my Grandma deLacy’s yard 35 years ago when we first moved into this home! Reading this has inspired me. My amaryllis are in bloom – white, red and white, and white. I’m awaiting the peach, which is in bud, and always slower than the others. I still have flowering cactus blooming, African violets,and the ornamental peppers are beginning to flower on the south windows sills. Forsythia in bloom will be just the thing!
Diana@ gardenthymewithdiana.com says
Hi Kevin,
I always learn garden lessons from you. Thanks so much for your time and talent. I too bought an Amaryllis bulb. Now what to do. There were no instructions. Do you have a post for this? Help .
Can I use water or dirt n pot it up.
Thanks
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Diana – Click here for my Amaryllis How-To.
Paulette says
So pretty. Encouraging too, I have so plants that look dead to me but I kept them in hopes they begin blooming this spring.
Connie says
I love forsythia too. They are in full bloom here in Arkansas! The question I have, is do they need to be trimmed after blooming?
PT says
Hi Kevin,
Do you know if the flowering quince will do well in Jacksonville, FL? I’m putting in new landscaping and looking for things that will bring color and fragrance and be easy to care for. The quince seems perfect and I’m thinking of a Red Maple and maybe a white dogwood!
Always so much to learn!
Thanks. I enjoy your newsletters even if I am late reading them!
PT
Melissa Horton says
I need to purchase some flowering shrubs! My Camelia is in full bloom.
Thank you for all your tips!
Samantha Gray says
I forced some of the forsythia given to me many years ago by my Grandmother deLacy. She had two huge bushes in her yard, which we used to use as “forts” when we were kids. They were great hideaways, and when we bought our home, she remembered how much I used to love them and gave me cuttings. These have thrived, and with all our snow and late cold storms (it’s flurrying today!), I wanted some colour in the house. Now the flowers are a sunburst of yellow on the table, and so welcome.
Josie Hackett says
Josie Hackett
Thank you Kevin for all your emails and wonderful recipes and flower arrangements – I have learned so much since watching all your videos
And I try to make them all – my husband just loves your birthday lemon meringue pie
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Josie – I’m so glad!!!
M says
ABF anything but forsythia as I grew up with a wonderful father who butchered with regularity the dozens we had on our small property. And my mildly-interested-in-gardening mother was always forcing forsythia every January-March. ABF. Despite that upbringing, I have hundreds of plants indoors and thousands outdoors. And a 48 year career in horticulture
Janis says
Thank you, Kevin. In addition to the shrubs already mentioned, I also gad success forcing lilac branches. Thanks again for your blog. Love it.
Carol Tracy says
Hi Kevin…do you think I could do this with burning bush also?
RobbieAnn says
Good morning Kevin,
I turn green with envy every picture I see of y’all’s house. Green, I promise.
All “the girls” in my mama’s people who range from 81 to 2 years old love flowers and especially the prospect every spring of forcing bulbs and Forsythia and Spirea. Keep up the recipes and enlarging our flower knowledge.
Thank you
RobbieAnn
aka The Dragonlady
Honeybee says
Thank you for the reminder to bring in some Forsythia and the bit about pounding the bark on the cut ends. I have never done that and will this year.
You’re the best Kevin.
Michelle Collins says
I cut a huge bouquet a few days ago. I’m going to smash the stems as I didn’t know to do that step. Thank you for the tip, the branches are already starting to leaf out – so wonderful to see in SE PA zone 6b.
Thanks Kevin.
Michelle