"I love to visit a flower farm, so we felt it was time to take 'Life in Bloom' back on the road in season six," enthuses J Schwanke, the show's host and creator. J Schwanke's 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 (check local listings for dates and times).
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. "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," said J.
The Oregon Flower Growers Association and their member farmers are featured within the Portland Flower Market. "What 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. I'm so excited to share them with our viewers!" noted J.
Guest Nicolette Behrendsen arranges flowers alongside J as they discuss flowers, wellness, and self-care, "It's not just a buzzword, as flowers really can provide support for a better outlook on life," says J. "Visiting with a friend in the company of flowers is relaxing and rewarding."
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?
"Wimee the Robot, of Wimee's Words (also on public television), is just a magical being," gushes J. "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 & Sculpture Park to share their "Butterflies are Blooming" exhibit, an annual tradition at the gardens. The segment is part of the season's premiere episode and is 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 five 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," notes J. "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."
"We also welcome my flower friend, Sue Muldoon, as she shares her expertise in weaving – and I get to try my hand at a couple of projects with her kind instruction – to which I naturally add flowers," confides J.
"We also remind viewers that flowers make a difference," says. "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," exclaimed J.
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 I share some wonderful ways to do just that," says J.
"I'm 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, concluded J. 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.