The name J Schwanke is synonymous with flowers and real-life floral joy. With a lot of positive energy, he creates smart and approachable designs. Moreover, J is a long-time host of 'Life in Bloom', a lifestyle television show centered around flowers that is broadcast on Public Television and Create TV stations all over the United States.
So, let's explore this interesting man, who is a fourth-generation florist, to some, 'the flower expert', to others simply but strikingly nicknamed 'flower guy'. No wonder J is considered the most trusted voice in the flower industry. If you have credentials like that, you truly are an industry personality, right?
But Who Is He? Who Is J Schwanke?
J Schwanke’s love of flowers began early. When you were born during a snowstorm at a state flower convention in Nebraska, you were probably destined to become one of the world's most famous flower personalities. His floral journey began at home and bloomed from there, because he's already traveled all fifty U.S. states, plus Canada, Mexico, several European countries, and beyond, sharing flower demos and stories that feel more like catching up with a good friend.
He joined his family’s Flower business, Green’s Greenhouses Inc., in 1976 and directed the flower shop and garden center operations starting in 1981. His career in the flower industry took off because J’s passion for flowers is far-reaching and infectious. J has given thousands of live flower demonstrations. In every State of the US, in Canada, Mexico, and throughout Europe.
He’s earned serious respect as a Certified Flower Designer (CFD) and a member of AAF, AIFD, and PFCI. And he’s won awards like the Tommy Bright Lifetime Achievement and Crystal Rose 'Living Legend' honors. At the AIFD National Symposium in July 2024, J was honored with the AIFD Award of Distinguished Service to the Floral Industry—a huge nod to his role in floral education and outreach via Life in Bloom and beyond.
Online & On-Air: J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom
J created and still hosts J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom—a flower lifestyle TV show that airs on PBS, Create TV, and is streamable on PBS.org, the PBS App, and locally via PBS Passport. It’s distributed by American Public Television (APT) and reaches a weekly audience of about 116 million U.S. households.
Despite public television funding worries, the show is still thriving thanks to its underwriters (CalFlowers, Albertsons Companies, Passion Roses, Suntory Flowers, FabulousFlorals.com), plus support through his Life in Bloom Foundation, a 501(c)(3) launched in 2023 to help fund production and make it easier for viewers to chip in.
Season 7 dropped in April 2025 and keeps the flower fun alive with segments on crafting, cooking, DIY flower cocktails, and even two on-location episodes in Hawaii, diving deep into lei culture. Season 8 is already in production, aiming to premiere in April 2026.
uBloom.com
J is the owner and CEO of uBloom.com, a website devoted to everything flowers. Here, flower fans everywhere have the opportunity to learn from J and experience the fun of flowers and flower arranging, 24/7! J Schwanke 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's Life in Bloom YouTube channel continues to draw interest with over 200 videos posted, and sits at over 96,000 subscribers and more than 11 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. on-stop.
Feature image by uBloom. All images from @j_schwankes_life_in_bloom, unless otherwise noted.
