All episodes of WFIU: Focus on Flowers

I recently saw a lovely bed in my neighborhood devoted entirely to annuals. It was full sun and composed predominantly of pink and blue flowers. At the back were tall cleome, commonly called spider plant.

Published 05/09/19

Moisture-Loving Natives

Filipendula rubra produces airy rose-pink flower clusters that can be between 4-10 inches wide and rise above the plant’s deeply divided leaves presenting a regal appearance befitting its common name, Queen of the Prairie.

Published 05/02/19

Planting And Division

Digging up the root ball of an established plant completely and cutting it into sections actually benefits the plant.

Published 04/25/19

Stem Cuttings

Starting plants from existing ones is fun as well as economical.

Published 04/18/19

Perennial Gardens

A perennial is a flowering plant that lives for three or more years.

Published 04/11/19

Long-Term Residents

Perennial beds need to be well dug initially to loosen the soil and then amended with compost or other organic material.

Published 04/04/19

True Love, Forget Me Not

There is a legend about a knight in armor who is walking along the bank of a river...

Published 03/28/19

Wordsworth’s Garden

“True taste has an eye for both weeds and garden flowers.”

Published 03/21/19

Not By Design

Sometimes plants have minds of their own.

Published 03/14/19

A Granddaughter’s Memories

Vita Sackville-West's granddaughter Juliet Nicolson says that her grandmother's "presence still fills the garden."

Published 03/07/19

Vita And Harold’s Garden

Vita Sackville-West's planting philosophy : "Cram, cram, cram, every chink and cranny.”

Published 02/28/19

Beguiling Begonias

Begonias are beloved because of their textured, colorful foliage, as well as their pretty flowers.

Published 02/21/19

In My Dreams

During the winter when I can’t actually garden outdoors, I plan many garden improvements and most of them include buying new plants.

Published 02/14/19

Georgia O’Keeffe

O’Keeffe is an art world star and her paintings of larger-than life-flowers are unique.

Published 02/07/19

Azalias & Mums Indoors

Azalea mollis is sometimes successful as a houseplant.

Published 01/31/19

Bulb Glasses

Hyacinth are some of the most popular bulbs to force in bulb glasses.

Published 01/24/19

Lady Clive

Clivias have attractive thick, strap-like dark green leaves.

Published 01/17/19

Streptocarpus’ Blooms Are Cheerful

Cape primrose is a wonderful houseplant because it blooms for a long period of time.

Published 01/10/19