Botanical Inspiration: Blooming Branches

California's mild climate landscape is overflowing with blooming trees and shrubbery.  As you may have predicted, I've been filling our home with different branches in full bloom.  It may seem overboard to some,  but I just can't resist these beauties.  Cherry, Quince and Acacia are perfect targets for my nature scavenging tendencies which clearly can't be tamed.  Take a look and learn how and where I found this botanical bounty.

I came across the cherry branches while walking Loki in our neighborhood.   A tree was being pruned and I couldn't resist asking for a few of them.  Now they sit beautifully on our hearth.

This quince acquisition wasn't so happenstance;  I cut them from [what could have been] somebody's driveway.  Shhh, please don't tell.

Mimosa happens to be my mother-in-law's favorite blossoming tree.   While driving back from Berkeley through Tilden Park with her,  we spotted a huge tree in full bloom.  I immediately stopped the car and broke off a few branches.  No harm done, I call it accidental pruning.

In colder climates, this is the time that most flowering branches can be forced to bloom indoors.   Bring a touch of Spring into your home, it will lift your spirits.  I guarantee it.

Botanical Inspiration: Weeping Willow Branches

Since the last post was all about branches, I thought it appropriate to share my find with you:  fallen willow branches outside our Cambridge Public Library. In spite of my children's protests, I dragged them across the lawn to our van.  Presently, these long golden branches are elegantly draping over one of my favorite vases.  Coupled with of a strand of starry lights, my impromptu botanical arrangement doubles as very effective mood lighting.   Take a look:

So Pinteresting: Branches In Interior Spaces

Using branches to decorate your home is suitable at any time of year, but springtime is by far the best season for it.  Dogwood, cherry, quince and forsythia branches can be found at your local florist,  in flower markets or in your own backyard.  Their dramatic silhouettes and delicate sprouting buds make them a visual delight indoors.  Be sure to cut and pound the bottoms of the stems before placing them in your containers, so that the woody stems absorb water better.   If you opt for dry branches, such as manzanita or driftwood, simply put them in a favorite vase or hang them on a wall or from the ceiling.   Take a look at some of my favorite 'branching' images:

My favorite image is the last one.  I love how dramatic the red maple tree looks in the entryway.

Which is your favorite?

images:

1./2./3./4./5./6./7.