"I can hardly believe it’s been six seasons, already," exclaims J Schwanke, the show’s host, and creator. ‘Life in Bloom,’ is seen in the U.S. on public television (PBS) stations nationwide. The show airs at times determined by local public television stations, so viewers should check with their local public television station or local listings for dates and times. To find the broadcaster in your area visit www.uBloom.com/find. The show is also available to stream via PBS Passport.
Flower Farm Tours Highlight Life in Bloom’s Newest Sixth Season
J Schwanke, the show’s host and creator loves to visit a flower farm, so he felt it was time to take ‘Life in Bloom’ back on the road in season six. Life in Bloom is a flower lifestyle television show seen in the U.S. on public television (PBS) stations nationwide, showing viewers ways to enjoy arranging flowers and reinforcing the health and wellness benefits flowers offer. The new season will premiere in April of 2024 on local public television stations.
The new season includes visits to flower farms and markets in the Portland, Oregon area. An episode titled 'A Touch of Dutch' includes a visit to second-generation (and possibly third) Oregon Flowers, and explores the undeniable connection between flowers and the Netherlands. J also visits Peterkort Roses.
He says:
"It was such a treat to chat with another flower-lifer, Sandra Laubenthal, whose family flower farm has been in operation for just over 100 years, now! I loved the literal and figurative patina of the farm - and the stories and history Sandra and her brother Norman Peterkort share are fascinating."
Showing the World the Benefit of Flowers
The Oregon Flower Growers Association and its member farmers are featured within the Portland Flower Market. For J, is it a treat to chat with these specialty growers – many of whom do so on a small scale with exquisite results. Just gorgeous treasures – the flowers as well as the farmers, too – all through the market. Schwanke is beyond excited to share them with their viewers!
Guest Nicolette Behrendsen arranges flowers alongside J as they discuss flowers, wellness, and self-care and says:
"It’s not just a buzzword, as flowers really can provide support for a better outlook on life. Visiting with a friend in the company of flowers is relaxing and rewarding. Research has shown the presence of flowers has an immediate impact on people’s health and happiness. It’s been my life-long mission to show people how easy it is to improve their daily lives, by including flowers."
Also included this season is a hand-painted tea set from J’s Great Aunt Lucy Jane, an entire episode around the importance of flowers for Día de los Muertos, an episode focused on the color Pink, plus a Robot? J Schwanke gushes:
“Wimee the Robot, of Wimee’s Words (also on public television), is just a magical being. Wimee joins me for a show about flowers and kids, in which I also have youngsters assist on three different flower projects.”
J Returns to Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park to Share Their 'Butterflies Are Blooming' Exhibit
The segment is part of the season’s premiere episode themed to butterflies. Garlic and neighbors are topics of other shows, all featured hand-in-hand with flowers, of course. Plenty of flower fun – with an emphasis on the health and wellness benefits of flowers – is served up for season five including shows themed to bouquets, French Inspiration, callas, the color blue, the language of flowers, and more! Season six has been scheduled by more public television stations, in more markets, than ever before, and viewers are excited for new episodes.
“Fans of the show have now become guests that share their own expertise. I discovered Sandy Villegas of Luna’s Paper Designs on Instagram a few years back, enchanted by her hand-crafted paper flowers. We struck up a friendship over time, and I was thrilled when she agreed to visit and share her skill, beauty, and precision with our audience.”
In this year's launch, they also welcome J's flower friend, Sue Muldoon, as she shares her expertise in weaving – and he gets to try his hand at a couple of projects with her kind instruction – to which he naturally adds flowers. Additionally, J expresses:
“We also remind viewers that flowers make a difference. It’s been my life-long mission to show people how easy it is to improve their daily lives, by including flowers. Research has shown the presence of flowers has an immediate impact on people’s health and happiness. Flowers continue to resonate with viewers, and the popular 'Flowers from YOU!' feature returns for the new season. I love to share pictures of bouquets that viewers create - they are sold on the positive impact flowers have in their lives.
Recipes and beverages including flower ingredients are also on board in the new season including a Butterfly Cocktail, Blueberry Scones, Poutine – plus Garlic Rolls and a Garlic Martini in an episode centered around, what else, garlic! Season six also includes a special winter-themed episode. Flowers can enhance not just the holidays but the whole winter season, and he shares some wonderful ways to do just that.
J Schwanke says he's so grateful to the show’s underwriters past and present, their belief in the power of flowers and their underwriting of the production is what makes this possible. This season, CalFlowers, Albertsons Companies, and closed-caption funder Holland America are joined by a new underwriter, Passion Roses, the official rose of the Miss America Competition and the Rose Bowl.
About J Schwanke
J is the host and creator of the TV show J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom, beginning its fourth season on public television. A fourth-generation florist, he is a flower expert and professional speaker, regarded as the most trusted voice in the flower industry. He was born at a flower convention and grew up in his family’s greenhouses. His website, uBloom.com, offers flower fans everywhere the opportunity to learn and experience the fun of flowers and flower arranging, 24/7! J has given flower demonstrations in all 50 states, Canada and England.
Highlights include the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, Art in Bloom, Bouquets to Art, San Francisco Flower & Garden Show, and Flowers at Kensington Palace. The J Schwanke YouTube Channel has over 90,000 subscribers and more than 11.5 million views. J is the author of Fun with Flowers, a Living Now Book Award winner, and Bloom 365 – The Essential Guide to Arranging Flowers Every Day, awarded the Gold IPPY (Home and Garden category) by the Independent Publisher Book Awards.
American Public Television
American Public Television (APT) is the leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation’s public television stations. Founded in 1961, APT distributes 250 new program titles per year and more than one-third of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles in the U.S. APT’s diverse catalog includes prominent documentaries, performances, dramas, how-to programs, classic movies, children’s series and news and current affairs programs. Doc Martin, Midsomer Murders, America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated, AfroPoP, Rick Steves’ Europe, Pacific Heartbeat, Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Television, Legacy List with Matt Paxton, Lidia’s Kitchen, Kevin Belton’s New Orleans Kitchen, Simply Ming, The Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross, Live From the Artists Den, James Patterson’s Kid Stew and NHK Newsline are a sampling of APT’s programs, considered some of the most popular on public television. APT also licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service and distributes Create®TV — featuring the best of public television's lifestyle programming — and WORLD™, public television’s premier news, science, and documentary channel. To find out more about APT’s programs and services, visit APTonline.org.
Photos by j_schwankes_life_in_bloom
