Don't limit yourself to bulbs for indoor winter color -- you can also "force" branches of flowering trees to bloom. Pussy willows are one good choice. Cut yard-long branches, and then crush the lowest couple of inches of each branch a bit with a hammer to reveal some of the green wood (figure A). That way they can absorb water more readily when you place them in a container of warm water in a well-lighted area. Cherry branches can also come in the house to bloom early, but hasten the process by using clippers to cut a small slice of the bottom stem (figure B). For Flowering Quince branches, combine the two techniques. Also consider adding a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to the water to hurry blooming.
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