Behind the Bloom with J Schwanke and RJ Pole

Today on Behind the Bloom- RJ and I will talking about the Color Purple- and the Passion I have for this color… we’ll Talk to an Italian Violet Grower- Make a Violet Martini- Visit a Clematis Grower in Florida… and arrange Climatis as a cut flower… and even talk about Passion Flowers… Let’s develop a Passion for Purple- today on Behind the Bloom with this companion to Episode #306 - Purple Passion...

This Behind the Bloom Episode- is all about Lilies… and is a companion to Episode #305 of Life in Bloom- RJ and I talk about my Grandma Lil… and you’ll learn how to spread an entire bunch of Lilies- all over the house… we’ll talk to my Friend Benno about Growing Lilies… Plant Lily bulbs in the Garden, Make a Lily Topiary- and create an Edible treat- with Day Lilies from the garden… it’s all up tod...

Today on Behind the Bloom Podcast- we’re taking a look at Plants and Flowers for a Happy Home- with this companion to Episode #304 of Life in Bloom. We’ll talk about the best Plants for making your home happy and healthier… plus tips and tricks for caring for your house plants… we’ll make a tillandsia terrarium… and create a glass table top garden… and I’ll show you how to weave a palm leaf into a...

Teaser: Today on Behind the Bloom Podcast- we’re all ABUZZ about Pollinators with our Companion to Episode #303 - Pollinators in Bloom… We go Inside the Flowers to see how they work- and why pollinators benefit them… We Visit a Professional Beekeeper (and try not to act like bears)... and I share three fun projects that help support Pollinators in the garden… Let’s get buzzing- with Pollinators an...

Today’s Behind the Bloom Podcast is a companion to Episode #302 - Hearts and Flowers- I’ll talk about Making a Heart out of Flowers-both Big and Small- I’ll  Decorate Heart Shaped Ivy Topiaries - Mix up  a Wild Heart Cocktail- and share some fun decorating ideas that includes hearts and flowers… and Ms Margo is on hand- sharing her Hand-made Soaps that provide the health and wellness benefits of F...

Today on Behind the Bloom Podcast we’re getting started with Season 3 with this companion to Episode #301 - Fields of Flowers. We’ll tour the Famous Carlsbad Flower Fields with my Friend Michelle Castellano Keeler. We’ll make a Flower Cocktail and Flatbread that embodies Fields of Flowers… I make a Flower Bouquet out of Vintage Flower Jewelry, upcycle a vintage Silver Basket from my Friend Jan, an...

Today on Behind the Bloom Podcast- RJ and I have a Very Special Guest- Ms Margo- the Bonereader.  Ms Margo is one of our most popular Life in Bloom Guests- and she’s guested on my series many times… sharing her bonereader talents- with me… our crew- and especially our pets… RJ’s wife Amanda is a huge fan of Ms Margo too… So as an extra added treat… Amanda will be joining us as well… I Love Ms Marg...

Today on Behind the Bloom Podcast- RJ and I will be talking about ways you incorporate Vegetables into your Flower Arrangements… We’ll visit my friends at Full Hollow Farm- and learn more about Community Supported Agriculture. I’ll make an arrangement down on their fam- with Vegetables and Flowers together… We’ll make Cauliflower Popcorn, and Create a Capresé Martini- and use Bell Peppers as Flowe...

Do you love wearing flowers as much as I do… Wearing Flowers makes us feel special- and it can tell others that we are celebrating - and enjoying a life in bloom. Today on Behind the Bloom RJ and I will be talking about Boutonnieres, Miniature Flower Vessels you can wear, I’ll show you how to make a Foliage Crown too. I’ll share recipes for Edible Pansy Hors de ouvres and a Violette Aviation Cockt...

I’m literally crazy about Color- and Flowers are truly Nature’s Rainbow… so today on Behind the Bloom Podcast with RJ and myself- it’s the Companion Podcast to Episode 211 of Life in Bloom. I’ll explain how our favorite colors tell us more about ourselves… I share how you can influence  emotions with different color combinations… We’ll make Colorful Hummus in different flavors, I’ll make some Rain...

Today on Behind the Bloom Podcast- Everything is Truly Coming up Roses… with our Companion Podcast to Life in Bloom Episode 210. Today RJ and I will discuss all the goings on-from this Episode all about Roses… Including a Visit to the World’s Largest Garden Rose Farm in Bogota Colombia… We’ll talk about creating rose arrangements for everyday- Visit the Tournament of Roses Parade, Create a Rose In...

Today’s Podcast is a companion to Episode #209 - Pets and Flowers - It features the First Appearance of my Friend Ms Margo- the Native American Bonereader- Ms Margo gives a bonereading to Ellie and Ladybird… I show how to make a Puppy out of Flowers, I whip up Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats and a Classic Greyhound Cocktail! My Niece Grace and I talk about Plants that are suitable Cats- You’ll m...

Today’s Podcast is a companion to Episode #208  of Life in Bloom - All about Lavender… and it includes baby Goats! I’ll introduce you to my Friend Kathy Kuipers from Leche’ and Lavender- we’ll learn to milk a goat- and make goat’s milk soap with Lavender… a Lavender Cheesecake, and Lavender Lemon Collins are on the menu… and I’ll share a Traditional French craft- making a Lavender Bottle Sachet… I...

Today’s Behind the Bloom Podcast is a companion to Episode 207 - Thinking Outside the Vase. I share many ideas on where to find unique containers for your Cut Flower Arrangement Creations. We’ll make Dirt Cake, create a Stencil Flower Craft, and you’ll meet my Good Luck Charm- Jenn Pascua! Let’s Think outside the Vase today on Behind the Bloom with J and RJ Pole! Episode #207 - Thinking outside th...

Today on Behind the Bloom , we’re diving into the beautiful world of orchids ! 🌿 RJ shares highlights from his recent visit to the Chicago Botanic Garden Orchid Show , one of the most stunning floral events of the year. Then, J takes us into the rich history of Cattleya orchids and their special place in his family’s floral legacy. Orchid Arrangement - with Orchids Stems and rocks https://watch.u...

Today’s Behind the Bloom Podcast is a companion to Episode #206 – The Garden Contained ! 🌿🌸 We visit Jonker’s Garden in Holland, Michigan , where we chat with Dirk Jonker about plants, gardening tips, and creating beautiful container gardens . This episode features flower arranging with fresh garden blooms , a fun visit with Dr. Adam , and a refreshing pineapple basil cocktail . Plus, we share D...

This week’s Behind the Bloom Podcast- is a companion to Episode #205 Traditional Japanese Flower Arts… we’ll talk about Bonsai Trees, I’ll make a Rose out of Sashimi Tuna, I’ve got a Flower cocktail that includes Sake’ and I’ll introduce you to my Life Long Flower Friends- The Kitayama Brothers… and I even make a Table Top Zen Garden… today on Behind the Bloom with Me and RJ!  Episode #205 - Tradi...

Today’s Podcast is a companion to Life in Bloom Episode 204: The Gift of the Forest… RJ and I will talk about Forest Bathing. I’ll make an Arrangement foraged from the forest- that includes a Wasp Nest- I share how to create a faux Moss look on any container- and we’ll make a Moss Cookie Cake… it’s about the health and wellness gifts we can get from just spending a few moments in the Forest!  Epis...

Well it’s been almost 66 years since my Mom and Dad attended a Flower Convention in the Middle of a Snowstorm in Nebraska… where I was Born… right in the hotel that was hosting a Growers School… So Today I’ll be sharing more stories- about my birth at Flower Convention- and on my Grandma Lil’s birthday too boot… Let’s get started with this special Birthday Episode of Behind the Bloom with Me and R...

This week’s Episode is a Companion Podcast to Episode #230 Beauty from the Flower Farm where we visit an Amazing Local Flower Farmer- Hope Dahlias! I’ll use their flowers in some arrangements created right on the farm. We talk 3 uses for Sage - and learn how to Paint recycled bottles for Flower Vases- there’s lots of Stories- about this Dahlia Filled Episode - this week on Behind the Bloom! Episod...

We’re welcoming our first guest - a long time Flower Friend… an Expert on Growing Tulips, Iris, and Ilex…who has been featured on “Life in Bloom” Episode #106 - Tulips Year Round Spring… a long time Supporter of uBloom, Life in Bloom and this Podcast… Lane DeVries! There’s a lot to learn about my friend Lane, and even more you can learn from this Flower Expert… and AUTHOR- of the NEW Book- The Pur...

Today on Behind the Bloom we're following flowers from the farm to the plate and to the vase - in our Companion Podcast for Life in Bloom Episode #202 . We’ll visit a Rose Seller at the Farmers Market, Make some Dahlia and Zinnia Bouquets, You’ll meet my Farmer Friends Jill and Mary at Crane Dance Farms, Recipes for A Pork Loin with Lavender Rub- and Cucumber Gimlet… and I arrange flowers in...

Flowers for Valentines Day- Hints, Tips and Advice for this Big Flower Day! Valentines is right around the corner… and today I want to offer some expert advice for flower purchases, giving and gifting, and even FLOWER and COLOR Suggestions - guaranteed to impress your Valentine… and even some great ways to save some money- and get the longest lasting flowers… I’m here to help- YOU- become a Valent...

This week on Behind the Bloom- we’ve got our First Companion Podcast to Season 2 of Life in Bloom- Episode #201 Arrangements from the Garden… We’ll talk about creating a flower arrangement from your own cutting garden… Talk about ONE of my Favorite Projects- the Perimeter Urn, learn about Large Scale arrangements from the Garden, Make a Dianthus Cake- a Garden Gimlet- and one of the most popular L...

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 cultural and spiritual values. Rituals can even  help individuals cope with anxiety, build community, and connect with a sense o...