I adore flowers of all kinds, but it’s the flowering branches that always make my heart sing. Quince branches kick off the spring season here at Connecticut Country House.

I buy a few bare branches at a local flower shop, and force them by simply placing them in a large container with water. It really is a leap of faith. Within a week or so, those tiny buds that were mostly undetectable when I purchased them, have now burst into gorgeous pink blooms, and stay in bloom for 2-3 weeks!