As spring rounds the corner, everything begins to bloom.  Take advantage of the season and fill your home with newly budding branches in place of flowers.

Find the perfect magnolia, cherry or apple tree and choose a branch.  Ideally, the buds should look close to blooming.  Cut two notches low on the branch and use pruning shears to cut down the branch or branches.  Place immediately in a bucket of warm water with a tablespoon of bleach and a touch of flower food – if you have any left over from Valentine’s Day.

Keep the branches in your garage or another cool location out of the sun and, if possible, mist with water periodically.  When the flowers appear ready to open move the branches to a vase and arrange.  If necessary use stones to stabilize larger branches.