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One of my favorite things to do in late winter is to enjoy spring blossoms inside. The white Japanese quince I have photographed in my dining room is from my backyard. It will bloom outside naturally in late March in my climate, but I force the blooms inside for an early and encouraging display of flowers while the winter still presides outside.

I cut long, lovely branches anytime in January or February and bring them in the warmth of my house. After I crush the cut stems with a hammer, I put them in a deep container of water and check every couple days to add more water. In two to four weeks I have a spring time of stunning white blossoms to decorate my house.

While I am waiting for the buds to blossom, the elegant branches are full of expanding buds, maturing into perfect little spheres of tender white. I believe I like these pregnant buds equally as well as the fully realized blossoms. This indoor preview of spring feeds my soul with hope and beauty for the future.

Trees and shrubs to choose for forcing:

• Japanese quinces of all colors
• Forsythia
• Ornamental flowering trees
• Fruit trees