Episode 22 - Flower Rituals

Today I want to talk about Rituals… specifically Flower Rituals…Rituals are important as they provide a sense of stability, connection, and meaning in both personal and communal life by giving structure to daily routines, marking life's transitions, and reinforcing c...

Scientific research has proven over and over that Flowers can improve your life in both obvious and unexpected ways. Finding creative solutions, stress reduction, recovery from illness, fewer arguments in the home. Also: public radio host Shelley Irwin.

Flowers beautify spaces large and small in this episode, from a city flower installation, to porch pots and garden displays, to personal spaces. Also: poetry on a plate with Chef Trimmel Hawkins.

On location in Hawai’i, to learn about the Spirit of Aloha. Aloha is reflected in lei, music, food, fashion, and of course, flowers. A visit to a vintage Aloha store. A dish with an unusual and rare ingredient, from Chef Ed Kenney, host of PBS Hawaii’s Family Ingredients.

J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom reaches a milestone: one hundred episodes. J reviews some favorite moments, shares meaningful messages from viewers, and celebrates with guests of the show. Included: Ice cream made using dry ice, 100 Flower Crowns!

Episode 21- Companion Episode #113 - Demystifying Orchids (airs January 12, 2026)

This week’s Behind the Bloom Podcast is a Companion to Life in Bloom Episode #113- Demystifying Orchids… We’ll talk about one of my Favorite Projects… the composite-Orchid- a Giant Orchid made of many smaller ones-...

Kindness is the theme of this episode, reflected through flowers, and more. Easy flower arranging tips, pet photography, and how to embellish a wreath with Flowers. Included: a recipe for a Cherry Galette.

J takes viewers to the new, state-of-the-art location of the San Francisco Flower Market and shares the ties between flowers and the iconic city. J chats with Former President of the Board of Supervisors, Aaron Peskin, as they arrange flowers. Included: what it takes to be a flower buyer on a gra...

Flowers of Hawai’i are explored, including a visit to Green Point Nurseries, a flower farm on the big island of Hawai’i. Dr. Tessie Amore, at the University of Hawai’i, teaches J about their flower breeding program. Anthurium, arranging, and a flower cocktail hour with my author Jenny Fiedler.

The world of Topiary is the focus of this episode including a brief history of the origin of Topiary. Host J Schwanke takes viewers to visit to a garden with large scale Butterfly and Flower forms. Included: techniques to create personal topiaries to enjoy at home.

JTV Design Contest Winner Mandy Majerik AIFD from HotHouse Design Studio in Birmingham Alabama, joins J this week on JTV to recreate her Winning Contest Entry... The Square Hydrangea Wreath adorned with Cymbidium Orchids and Ruby Callas! Mandy is the original creator of this project- and it's al...

Today on Behind the Bloom – I’m excited to introduce you to my Great Friend- RJ Pole… he is an avid birdwatcher- and also the host of amazing podcast about birdwatching – “Birds of a Feather Talk Together”…
RJ and I met- when he contacted me- to share that he and his wife Amanda- are big fans of ...

Episode 20- Companion Episode #112 - Terrariums- Life Under Glass

This companion Episode to Life in Bloom #112 - Terrariums - Life under Glass… is all about Terrariums… RJ and I will talk about taking my Crew back to my Family Greenhouse in Nebraska- and filming my Sister- the Terrarium Master- ...

In this week’s At Home with Flowers Free Video on uBloom- I’m creating a Vase inside a Vase Citrus Sorbet Bouquet. I’ve shared you before on Fun with Flowers- how you can place a vase inside another vase- and then fill that space between the vases with other items of interest. It can be filled wi...

Episode 19- Companion Episode #111 - The Art of Flowers

This Behind the Bloom is a companion to Episode #111 The Art of Flowers- we’ll visit the Grand Rapids Art Museum for their Art in Bloom Flower event… I visited with Flower Artists that interpreted works of Art with Flowers- I visit PA Smith...

This week on At Home with Flowers- I’m “Behind the Bloom” – that’s my code phrase for behind the scenes… We filmed a NEW Christmas Special that will be released with Season 8- in April of 2026… that’s how public television works… we work a year ahead or even more sometimes. The Christmas Special ...

Episode 18- The Origins of Flower Cocktail Hour

Teaser: The New Year is the Perfect time- to Raise a Glass and Toast the Future- What better way to do so- than with a Flower Cocktail… and that’s what RJ and I are talking about today… the Origins of Flower Cocktail Hour- how it came about… and w...

This week on At Home with Flowers- I’m arranging in the garden and creating some bouquets that inspired by an Episode of “J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom” – Episode #711 Honeycomb Blooms- you can watch this Episode Here NOW!
With a dedication to Honeycomb- we feature many things- including Vintage Hon...

Episode 17- Companion Episode #110 - A Flowers Arrangers Best Friend

In this companion Episode to Life in Bloom Episode 110- A Flower Arrangers Best Friend- RJ and I will be talking about one of my Favorite Collectibles- the Flower Frog- I have hundreds of them. Flower Frogs were a perfect topic...

I often speak about “Getting your Memories off the Shelf – and Filling them with Flowers”… this idea was something that came to me… when I was giving presentations for my Mother-In-Law’s Beta Sigma Phi Sorority… these ladies were wonderful… and I would give a spring program for them every year- a...

It’s time to get into the Holiday Spirit- with Flowers of course… today on Behind the Bloom RJ and I are talking Christmas Flower Traditions- I’ve got some great Flower Ideas to share- and some great Stories that center around the Holidays… let’s jump in the sleigh and get ready to deck the halls...

Today on Behind the Bloom – I’m honored and pleased to introduce you to one of the Kindest and Wonderful Humans on the Planet… Tessie Amore Ph.D. – as I visit the Magoon Research Station- at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu.

When we were planning our filming visit- and production that would ...

Episode 15 - Companion Episode #109 - All Foliage- Living Green

Teaser: I’ve got a real affinity for Foliage and Plants… I learned to improve my Green Thumb when it comes to Plants… and I’ll share how to install a Green Wall Planter… With this Companion podcast to Episode #109 All Foliage - Livi...

Today on At Home with Flowers- I’m in garden creating a late Summer Ikebana Arrangement- featuring Flowers and Foliage from my Cutting Garden… and my Zinnia Grower – Craig. I’m making the arrangement in a Vintage Ikebana Container I found on ebay… it’s lovely- and typically you would create an ar...