Bountiful Buds

You have lots of choices for buds; any deciduous shrub or tree that flowers in early spring is a good candidate for forcing. Branches from quinces, forsythias, cherries, deciduous magnolias, redbuds, and pears can be coaxed into bloom. The process is simple and the cost is―well, if you have the plants in your garden, the cost is nothing.

Cut branches can also be ordered from most florists, but you should plant one or more of these exceptional trees and shrubs now. Think of them as a flower shop in your yard.

For a big show of color, place a variety of branches in different jars and on a long table, as pictured.

Glass vases: Anthropologie, anthropologie.com; Leaf & Petal, leafnpetal.com; Peddler’s Home Design, peddlersdesign.com.