One of the lovely things about spring is the opportunity to use gorgeous, fragrant branches as decor in the home. Here are five tips to help keep yours fresh as long as possible, because spring is already too short as it is.
1 Make an inch long slit in the bottom of each branch and then tap the ends of the branches with a hammer. This allows water to be absorbed more easily and will extend the life of your branches.
2 Soak the ends of the branches in luke warm water to wash off excess bark and allow the plant to acclimate to its new environment.
3 Add a drop of bleach in the water to keep the water from clouding and from smelling.
4 Change water daily.
5 Enjoy!
(Image: Liana Walker)
Small Cool Lessons: Discovering Small Space Design Ideas That Really Work
Marisa and Peter's Playfully Eclectic Home
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Z2 iPod Dock and Wi...
How to Make Easy 3-Ingredient Energy Bars at Home
How to Make Fresh Pasta Dough in the Food Processor
great tip!
Oh, username26 is right, the blur is on purpose. Why?
I think the blur is very pretty!
Forget about the branches! That wall is beautiful!
Perhaps my sense of smell is less acute than average, but I don't get much fragrance from branches. What's wrong with artificial branches that require zero maintenance? (Save the eco-friendly arguments please)
another tip : submerge the bottom of each branch and cut the tip off while under water. This prevents air-pockets forming around the cut and allows water to be absorbed easily.
That TABLE. <3
1 T bleach, 1 T lemon juice, 1/2 cup corn syrup or sugar per quart of lukewarm water- replace weekly, trim branches periodically and split as directed above. My curly willow branches have been alive for 4 months and counting.