“Orange Crush” Season 8 Premiere Episode #811
Episode #811- Orange Crush- Watch it now on uBloom.com - or on PBS App or PBS Passport- It’s FREE everywhere!
I’m so excited that we have another Episode in Season 8 of J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom- dedicated to a color- and that color is ORANGE… it’s one of my favorites… people that love Orange are very Creative… and there are so many flowers that come in the color Orange (or Peach) - I make a huge arrangement- just to prove that point… more on that Later!
Like many other flower designers… I truly have a crush on the color Orange - a plentiful color as far as flowers are concerned. As stated- I’ll arrange with Orange flowers, in Orange containers, accompanied by Orange fruits and Vegetables. Orange you glad to be here?
“What is your least favorite color? Is it Orange? Some surveys tell us so. Why should this be? Maybe it’s Orange is perceived as a color of change - few people care for change. Many children of a certain age prefer Orange – attributed to times when they are going through changes - physically or emotionally. The Color Horoscope tells us that people who like the color Orange are Creative. It also mentions they may be fickle - attracted to change. Whatever the case, you might say I have a crush on Orange – because I love color, all colors really. So let’s enjoy the color Orange today on Life in Bloom.”
I Make this Colossal Arrangment of ALL Orange Colored Flowers- Can you identify all the flowers I used in this arrangement? Watch Now!
I make an arrangement our of many shades of Orange Flowers… and I ask you if you can identify all the flowers- I use in this arrangement… Now I’ve not included the Variety Names… but I have include all the Foliage and Flowers Types that used in this arrangement- (there are several colors of Roses, Gerbera Daisies and Carnations for example-) and the list is complete- and the flowers are presented in order of their first appearance… I hope you enjoy the list- and this arrangement… We’re YOU Right about all the different kinds of orange flowers?
FOILAGE: Hosta, Nine Bark, Diervilla, Blue Berry Viburnum (although the berries are still green in this arrangement)
FLOWERS: Eremerus, Asiatic Lilies, Snap Dragons, Hanging Amaranthus, Alstroemaria, Roses,(Several Colors) Spray Roses, Carnations (Several Colors) , Dahlias, (Several Colors) Pin Cushion Protea, Gerbera Daisies (Several Colors) , Hypericum, Ranunculus
My Flower Friend Jenn Pascua- visits me- and we have Flower Cocktails and Make Arrangements… Watch us create Carrot Arrangements in this episode about the color ORANGE now!
Next up my Wonderful Flower Friend (and good Luck Charm) Jennifer Pascua joins me as we creates arrangements with a Popular Orange Vegetable- The CARROT! I show a couple of different ways to create an arrangement incorporating Carrots- and Jenn give me another idea too… that is Creative… I just love having her on Life in Bloom!
What would a visit with Jenn be- with prepping ourselves for arranging flowers (and Carrots) with a Flower Cocktail… This cocktail is a perfect Morning or Brunch Cocktail… and contains the following: Cointreau, Blood Orange Ginger Beer, Orange Slice, Calendula garnish.
Here’s the Orange Crush Cocktail… it’s just as delicious as it looks… and that Calendula Garnish is Perfect - Recipe here~!
Every ONE of the Flower Cocktails I share on Life in Bloom- are on the website- You can get the recipe for Free- in my Blog- here’s a link to this week’s “Orange Crush Cocktail”… and remember- our Paid Subscribers can get a Beautiful PDF of Every Flower Cocktail and Every Recipe in Bloom- to start their own collection or recipe file… you can also purchase a download the Recipes from Season 1- in PDF on the website too… (More Seasons will be coming Soon). After we toast with our Cocktails - Jenn and create a couple of amazing Carrot inspired arrangements.
You’ve seen an arrangement with Carrots done many ways on Social Media- and this was the perfect project for this Episode! Watch NOW!
Up next- I create an Arrangement with the Featured Flower of the week- TRITOMA… here’s some trivia about this wonderful ORANGE Flower…
- Tritoma is a perennial plant with striking, fiery-colored flower spikes resembling a red-hot poker
- Tritoma, is also known as red hot poker, torch lily, rocket flower and poker plant.
- They make excellent cut flowers.
- Kniphofia - the scientific name - is a genus of perennial flowering plants first described in 1794.
- All species of Kniphofia are native to Africa
- There are many different cultivars of Kniphofia, with varying heights, bloom times, and flower colors.
- Tritoma plants have long, narrow, grass-like leaves and produce tall flower spikes with densely packed, tubular flowers.
- The flowers typically come in shades of red, orange, yellow, and green, often with a two-tone effect as the lower florets fade to yellow while the upper ones are still in bloom.
- Tritoma prefers full sun and well-drained soil. They are relatively drought-tolerant once established but appreciate consistent moisture.
-Tritoma can be planted in the spring or early fall, and seeds can be started indoors or directly sown outdoors.
Just one of the Many Amazing Vases- my Friend Lottie Nys, AIFD sent me- I had to share them on this show… Watch NOW!
I’m so excited about this NEXT Segment- as I share an amazing Gift- I received from my Friend and Fellow AIFD member- Lottie Nys… she wrote me and asked if I would be interested in her Uncle’s Collection of Czech Glass vases - Oh MY GOODNESS… well of course I would Lottie. I’ll share a bit of the history of Czech Glass- and create a few simple arrangements in these cherished keepsake vases!
In the 1920s and 1930s, most decorative glass came to America from Czechoslovakia. Small Czech flower vases in intense reds, yellows or oranges were popular with Americans after World War One. Before World War I, there was no Czechoslovakia as a country. Border areas with the right sands and ores had produced rough glass items for hundreds of years, and then some Venetian glass blowers emigrated there, and Bohemian glass became known all over Europe for its fine etching and elaborate painting. J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom Season 8 August 22, 2025. After WWI, Czechoslovakia was formed. Their decorative glass was soon recognized for its extraordinary innovation. The classic Czech style can be described as modest-sized vases (holding just a few flowers) produced in molded glass of an intense red or yellow or orange, with an applied glass “snake” and often a ruffled edge.
I share these Beautiful Vases- Tell you how to authenticate them- and make simple arrangements in them… Watch NOW!
Even today, the color palette of these older vases often remains bright and strong. Decorations are applied to some vases in styles ranging from vaguely Asian, to Art Nouveau, to Art Deco. Czech artists have since captured world attention with dramatic glass installations and constructions, gaining many top art awards around the world, in the modern era.
How can collectors tell if a Czech-looking vase is vintage or modern? First, look on the bottom. There may be a stamp, saying CZECHSLOVAKIA. It can be difficult to read, but if it’s present, the vase is a real period piece. Modern pieces may say Made in the Czech Republic. Look inside - vintage vases are likely dirty at the bottom in a way that is almost impossible to clean. Old vases sat around for most of a century, accumulating “cooked in” dust. Also consider the surface: Modern glass is perfect with no flaws. Old glass has bubbles and small flecks from firing in more primitive ovens. Small flaws are good evidence.
If you are looking for old Czech vases, try exploring garage sales, flea markets, antique stores, and museums. I have also heard that church sales are great places to find old vases.”
A Family Favorite Recipe… My Mother-in-Laws- Outstanding Cauliflower Grantin… here’s the recipe for this easy and delish dish!
Next up- I make a favorite family recipe that also happens to be ORANGE… I learned this recipe from my Mother in Law- Mary Lou! it’s called- Cauliflower with Cheese Sauce. You can get the recipe at this link! Again- all recipes are in my blog- just search in the WHITE SEARCH BOX on my BLOG for the recipe- and if you put in #RECIPEINBLOOM they all show up
Annd now, it’s time for my favorite part of the show - Flowers from you - the viewers! I have a few creations by Mary Gilbert of Oswego New York. Mary has several flower projects for us to enjoy!” She writes: “My granddaughter models flower crowns and bracelet. Bridge party flower rings as favors and assorted floral arrangements. I love your show so much. You make Tuesday one of my favorite days. Thank you for all the great information and inspiration!!”
Thank you Mary- You are so Kind… and I love all the Creative ways you are Enriching- EVERYONE’s Lives- with Flowers… Keep up the Good Work my friend!
“Please send me YOUR pictures of flower arrangements inspired by Life in Bloom - we call them “Schwankies” after a viewer’s nickname. Send them to j@ubloom.com - and watch for more Schwankies on upcoming shows BE Sure to
include all your information - Name, Physical Address,(NO PO BOX) Phone Number- and Permission to use your Photo…
Orange is so plentiful in the World of Flowers- I hope you have a crush on Orange Flowers after watching this show… Enjoy!
I hope you’ve enjoyed our trip into the Orange today, and maybe find your mood a bit brighter - flowers will do that you know. Have a Great Week… Enjoy! Watch This Show here NOW!