J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom

>> "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is brought to you by the following... >> That flower feeling.

At home.

At work.

Or anytime.

CalFlowers is a proud sponsor of "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom," where flowers and wellness go hand in hand.

>> We have fresh in all our stores, from soups and steaks and all things flour to all things flowering.

Custom fresh arrangements designed by our in-store florists at Albertsons Companies.

>> With additional support from the following... PassionRoses.

>> In this show, butterflies are on the brain.

I'll take you to a garden blooming with butterflies, find inspiration for flower arrangements, and I'm joined by my flower friend Cecilia for a Butterfly Branch and butterfly cocktail.

I'm J Schwanke.

Welcome to "Life in Bloom."

"Butterflies are self propelled flowers."

There are few better combinations in nature than butterflies and flowers.

Butterflies are attracted to flowers for their nectar, and the resulting mix of colors is a visual treat.

Butterflies captivate the imagination as they flutter in the air.

They're also symbols of transformation.

Starting out in a very different form as caterpillars, much like a seed or a bulb that transforms into flowers.

Much like flowers, the presence of butterflies can be exhilarating and relaxing all at once.

Today on "Life in Bloom," we'll learn more about these winged wonders at a butterfly exhibit, create arrangements that echo our fascination with them, and even indulge in a beverage named after them.

Today, I'm delighted to be at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park for their annual spring event, the Fred and Dorothy Fichter "Butterflies are Blooming" exhibit.

I'm here in the Lina Meijer Tropical Conservatory, enjoying the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibit in the nation.

Joining me is Steve LaWarre, who, as vice president of horticulture, has seen thousands and thousands of butterflies in this exhibit over the years.

So, Steve, do you really think thousands or maybe millions of butterflies you've seen?

>> I think probably hundreds of thousands.

>> Wow.

>> When you look at the fact that every year, we have seven-plus-thousand butterflies.

This is our 28th year doing it.

You know, that's several hundred thousand butterflies that have cycled through this beautiful space.

So, you know, it's an incredible exhibition.

>> Oh, it is.

>> Yeah.

>> Tell us about the space that we're in.

>> So this is a beautiful, five-story tropical environment that's called the Lina Meijer Tropical Conservatory.

It's 15,000 square feet.

And right now, we're standing in 70% humidity and about 85 degrees, you know.

So that heat kind of just soaks in, and -- >> And it's cold outside.

>> And it's cold outside, yeah.

It's still Michigan.

>> Yeah, which is an amazing contrast to come in here and feel this.

>> Yeah.

>> So butterflies love flowers.

>> They do.

>> And there's a symbiotic relationship there because they're drinking the nectar and things like that.

So tell us more about that.

>> Yeah.

So you know, the way that I love to think about it is that butterflies and plants are intimately related.

You know, butterflies need plants that flower and produce a nectar source for them when they're in their adult stage, but then they also need very specific plants that are called host plants that they lay their eggs on in order to have the right food for caterpillars.

And so all of the food for caterpillars comes from plants, as well.

And so that relationship between butterflies and flowers is really important.

And butterflies are sometimes pollinators, so they help plants out in that way as well.

And it's just that, you know, interwoven relationship.

>> How many butterflies are in here right now?

>> So there are thousands of butterflies in here right now.

We get new pupa or chrysalids in every week.

When those new butterflies arrive in their -- you know, in their pupal stage... >> Uh-huh.

>> ...those new butterflies have to be sorted.

They have to be pinned very carefully so that they hang much like they would in nature.

>> OK. >> And then as those adult butterflies finish metamorphosis and as they emerge as an adult, then their wings have to dry.

They have to be carefully then collected by staff, and then they are released into this space.

>> So I see verbena, I see marigolds, I see orchids, I see lantana.

>> Yeah.

>> Are you always -- Are you planting those throughout this exhibit?

>> We are.

Yeah.

>> OK. >> We're continuously refreshing those.

There's things -- just like you mentioned, there's the pentas.

The butterflies love a smaller flower that's got a little bit of a tubular shape to it.

>> OK. >> Because of that straw-like mouth part.

>> OK. >> And then they also experience things -- what we would refer to as taste.

I don't know if it's exactly taste, but they -- but they experience taste with their feet.

So they need to be able to land on something, confirm that it, you know, "tastes right."

>> Sure.

>> And then they use their straw-like mouth part, called a proboscis, to drink that nectar like a straw.

>> Wow.

How many people come see this?

>> So, on average, we'll have over 160,000 people that will come in the months of March and April.

>> That's amazing.

>> And visiting just for the butterfly exhibition.

>> How many people a day does that work out to?

>> That averages about 3,500+ a day, and that can be up to 6,000 on a day as well.

So on average, 3,500, give or take.

>> So Steve, what do you think the benefit is for people who come here to see this exhibit?

Do you think it inspires them to protect pollinators or to learn more about our environment?

Or how do you think -- how do you think that helps?

>> Yeah, you know, that's a great question.

I think that it really whenever we can increase awareness about, you know, these intricate parts of nature, I think it just provides an opportunity for people to appreciate things and to have a curiosity that might be lit to learn more about what they're seeing.

And so just to have something that initiates questions and initiates, you know, "Hey, I would like to know a little bit more about butterflies.

And then because of that, I want to know more about that flower, or I want to know more about that tree or where these come from, or how do they impact the people in these countries that are helping, you know, farm them, you know, and those types of things?"

So it's just that asking those questions that will lead to more thought, you know, after they leave.

>> That's wonderful.

Well, Steve, thank you so much.

It's always a treat to see you and just this wonderful exhibit and allowing us to be part of it.

So thanks so much.

>> Thank you.

Thank you.

It's always a pleasure spending time with you, J.

>> I appreciate it.

>> Yeah.

>> So Cecilia Sharpe -- C Sharpe.

>> Yeah, that's me.

>> I know.

I love that.

>> Thank you.

>> So you have a public radio show.

>> I do.

It's called "Live with C#," and it airs on 90.9 WRCJ FM in Detroit.

We are a classical and jazz station, and on "Live with C#," you can be sure to have a huge variety of music, from classical to jazz to a little bit of world music, and maybe some great conversations with artists that are coming to town.

>> That's awesome.

That's awesome.

We share that love of jazz.

>> Absolutely.

>> Which is really important.

In fact, your sweet mother... >> Yes.

>> ...is a fan of the show.

>> She is.

>> And she said, "C Sharpe, you need to go interview him."

>> She did.

>> And so you came here and we did an interview for your show as well.

You are kind of that person that flits around from artist to artist or introduces us to music and a different type of music.

You're like a little butterfly.

>> Yes.

Just... >> And so that's why I wanted to have you on the butterfly show.

>> Well, thank you so much for having me on the show.

>> I think it's great.

So we are going to make a Butterfly Branch.

How about that?

>> That sounds like a good plan.

>> OK, so I have a branch I cut this morning from my crabapple tree.

>> Fresh.

>> OK.

Yes, exactly.

This is one of my favorites, too.

It's called a Prairie Fire Crabapple.

And so in the springtime it's covered with all blooms, and it's very pretty.

But I would like it to look like there are little butterflies all landing on it.

>> Oh, you have a vision for this?

>> I do, and it involves flowers, of course.

>> Alright.

Of course, on the flower show.

>> So we have little Dendrobium orchids.

Right?

And some people feel like a Dendrobium orchid like that... looks like a butterfly.

Do you think?

Sorta, kinda?

>> I see some butterfly qualities about it.

>> Exactly.

So what I'm doing is I'm going to cut off -- so I have one, too.

OK. >> OK. >> So we've cut off the stem on the back side.

It's gone.

>> OK, got it.

>> Now there's a product called floral adhesive, which is like a craft glue, like you would put models together with maybe?

>> Right.

>> You could use rubber cement as well, OK?

>> So if you don't have this floral glue, you can get some rubber cement.

>> Exactly.

So then you just put a little bit on the back I want to have plenty of glue on the back, because if you don't have plenty of glue, it might not stick.

OK?

>> So make sure it doesn't fly away.

>> Right.

So then, I'm going to put a little bit here.

I'm going to put a little bit here.

>> OK. >> We're going to wait a second.

You know what we should do?

Let's make a few more.

Here, set it down, face down.

>> No problem.

>> Perfect.

And we will get some more.

Now you're going to notice that there's little buds on these, too.

So if you save those, we can use those in a different arrangement, too.

OK.

So let's see.

Here's my little spot again.

>> Alright.

>> Oh, see, now look.

Now, when you go to put that on there, you're going to feel that just attach to that little piece.

Come on.

Let's go, girl.

>> Work with me.

Work with me.

There -- Oh, there we go.

Oh, that looks nice.

>> Right?

>> So, also, if you have them like this, you can look for a little spot like this.

I'm just going to throw a little glue in there.

And then if I have the leaf supported, it will just kind of sit there.

So I'm putting the glue over where the stem was that we cut.

Because what's going to happen is there's a little bit of alcohol in the glue.

There is -- We're covering up where we cut it away, so it's not going to be able to draw air through that spot.

>> Does that help preserve the flower?

>> It does.

It helps it last longer.

So it's perfect.

Now, see, we're going to have a whole flock of these on here.

So, now these are probably going to last about 3 or 4 days.

If you misted them with water, they would last longer.

>> So just mist with a little bit of water, and you can extend the life of your Butterfly Branch.

>> Correct.

Now, I think that's pretty, right?

>> It definitely is.

>> We need to put it in an arrangement.

>> OK. >> Alright.

So I'm going to -- >> Do you have something up your sleeve?

>> I have something up my sleeve.

>> Of course you do.

Ooh.

>> So we have this.

Now, this is a very heavy vase.

The reason that I did this, number one, it's heavy, but it's a chemistry vase.

And whenever I think about when I met you, I think about that we had really good chemistry to start with.

>> Aww.

It was, like instantaneous.

>> It was.

We were friends right away.

>> We just clicked.

>> I know.

It was awesome.

>> On the phone, like you said, an hour and 40 minutes.

>> Of course.

I love people who will talk on the phone with me.

OK. >> I was that girl.

>> You were that girl.

OK, so, here we go.

We're going to go into our arrangement with our Butterfly Branch.

I love it.

Thank you for your help.

>> Well, thank you for allowing me to help you make this beautiful Butterfly Branch and add it to this gorgeous arrangement.

It looks lovely.

>> So let me ask you a question.

>> Yes.

>> There's a cocktail called The Butterfly.

Would you like to come back and make a cocktail with me?

>> Absolutely.

>> We'll have "Flower Cocktail Hour."

>> Mix and sip.

>> OK, good.

>> Asclepias tuberosa, commonly known as butterfly weed, is a species of milkweed native to eastern and southwestern North America.

It is commonly known as butterfly weed because of the butterflies that are attracted to the plant by its color and its copious production of nectar.

It is a perennial plant with orange, yellow, or red flowers 1.5 centimeters wide.

The plant looks similar to the lanceolate milkweed, but is uniquely identified by the larger number of flowers and the hairy stems that are not milky when broken.

It is most commonly found in fields with dry soil.

Native Americans and European pioneers used the boiled roots to treat respiratory illnesses.

Common names include butterfly weed, butterfly love, and butterfly milkweed.

So this is a fun butterfly project.

However, it uses a lot of flowers and it's quite elaborate, so I wanted to show you how I was able to accomplish it.

I was looking online and I found these full-flower butterflies.

And there are forms that are made out of flower foam that you soak, that then you fill in with flowers.

So what I did was I did an outline of the butterfly shape.

I put it on a piece of craft paper.

Sometimes we'll have foam shapes that have a mache back, or they'll also have styrofoam on the back for stability.

And so I knew once I filled this with water, that I wasn't going to be able to have it be stable.

So while it was still dry, I flipped it upside down, and I cut wood picks and I pushed them directly into the back of the foam.

Then I took hot pan melt glue -- and so that's little pieces of hot pan melt glue that you can melt in a little frying pan -- and I brushed it on with a natural fiber brush.

And it soaks into the foam, and it holds this all in place, and it gives it stability.

At the same time, I went in with a couple of chenille stems, and I placed them into the foam on the back before I glued it in place.

So that will be my hanger so I can hang it up on an easel when I'm done.

You could also hang it on a wall, or you could set it flat on a table.

Then I soaked it in flower food and water.

So then, I have a shape, and I could determine which types of flowers I wanted to use to make a schematic so that it turned out pretty.

So now let's put it together, and I'll show you how that all works out.

Basically, this is a fill-in-the-blank.

I've laid out where all the different flowers are going to go, and then I'm going to place them into those sectors.

I thought about the shapes and the forms of the flowers and how they vary, giving it different texture and different color.

I simply follow my schematic and fill everything in.

So, C Sharpe, this is "Flower Cocktail Hour."

>> I like it.

>> And we are going to create a butterfly cocktail.

First, we're going to start with a shaker.

>> Alright.

>> OK?

So with that shaker, we are going to take these leaves.

Here, you know what?

Help me pluck leaves.

We're going to pluck all these leaves.

>> Is there a way to pluck a leaf?

>> I just take them up.

I don't put the stem in.

I just kind of use my fingernail to get them up there.

And here we're going to -- we're going to put them all in there.

Everybody goes into the pot.

>> Alright, guys.

>> That's holy basil.

>> Holy basil.

>> Some people call it blue holy basil.

Then we're also going to add fresh mint.

So we're going to have quite a bit of stuff inside here.

And we're not going to muddle it like you might think.

>> OK. No muddling.

Why aren't we muddling this?

>> Well, if we muddled them, we would relieve a lot of the oils and the essential oils out, which would make it stronger.

We want it to be a nice hint.

>> OK. >> We need a little bit of lemon juice.

>> OK. >> I'm just going to use -- squeeze that fresh lemon in there.

>> Give them something to soak in.

>> Correct.

OK.

These are going to be our little rinds.

So if you want to twist those, and you can put those -- and do the edge of both of those glasses.

How about that?

>> Twist them and... >> There you go.

Oh, yeah.

There you go.

Perfect, perfect.

Now we need ice.

>> And how much ice are we going to use?

>> We are going to fill that up.

>> Alright.

>> With ice.

We're going to add some white grape juice.

>> Sweeten it up a little bit.

>> Uh-huh.

Uh, we're making two.

>> Oh, yes.

>> We're going to add some elderflower.

>> Is this a simple syrup or?

>> It's a liqueur.

Here, smell.

>> Oh.

>> Doesn't that smell wonderful?

>> Yes.

It's very fragrant.

>> That's what will bring the butterflies to the yard.

>> Yes, bring the butterflies to the yard.

Come to us.

>> And then we have some vodka.

>> Of course.

It's a cocktail.

>> Right.

We are going to take this, out our cover on, and we're going to shake it hard.

>> Oh, that's how you rough it up.

Get the flavors out, but not too much.

A hint of.

>> No muddling.

Now, see, look.

You can see little pieces.

>> Yes.

>> Of that inside there.

>> I noticed.

>> And then we're going to add a fuchsia blossom.

>> Oh, that really gives it a pop.

>> OK, so one for you, one for me.

Let's see how this tastes.

>> Oh, quite refreshing.

>> Right?

>> I love the citrus.

>> You know, it's that little bit of basil in there.

You know, what'd be perfect?

>> What do you have in mind?

>> A flower crown.

>> Oh.

[ Laughs ] A flower crown.

>> [ Laughs ] >> Aww, thank you.

>> Look at how cute it looks.

>> I have my own flower crown.

Oh, my gosh.

>> OK.

So now, cheers again.

>> Alright.

>> With a flower crown.

Thank you so much for coming to see me.

>> Thank you for having me.

>> I appreciate it.

>> Now it's my favorite part of the show -- "Flowers from YOU," the viewers.

Today, I have an arrangement to share from viewer Jan Clark.

You may remember Jan from some of the thoughtful gifts she has sent me that have been featured on "Life in Bloom," like the bumblebee brooch from season four or the Victorian vase from season five.

Jan writes, "I just watched episode one, season five.

Loved it.

Here is my Schwanke, in honor of season number five.

This one is titled, 'Lights, Camera, Action.

Cue the Flowers!'"

Jan is so creative, and her arrangements are frequently themed.

I love her attention to detail, and it's perfect for our premiere for season six.

Thanks, Jan. You're one in a million.

I love to see pictures of your flower arrangements inspired by "Life in Bloom."

We call them "Schwankes," after a viewer's nickname.

Send them to [email protected].

That's the letter "J" at the letter "U" bloom.com.

And watch for more Schwankes on upcoming shows.

I hope you've enjoyed this episode devoted to flowers and butterflies.

Flowers and butterflies will forever complement each other, and are both welcome harbingers of spring after the sometimes overly long winter season.

Butterflies and flowers encourage us to pause and enjoy nature.

Any time we rest and reset with nature, we have the chance to enhance our health and wellness.

For "Life in Bloom," I'm J Schwanke.

So do you play an instrument?

>> I play the cello.

>> Oh, my gosh.

>> Yeah.

>> Oh, I love the cello.

It's so pretty.

>> My cello's name is Ed.

His name is Eddie.

[ Laughter ] >> What possesses you to name your cello?

>> Well, they're people, too.

They have personalities.

>> I got it, I got it, I got it.

It's like your car or -- >> Yes.

My car has a name, too.

>> What is your car's name?

>> Victoria.

[ Laughs ] Her name is Victoria because I feel like I'm victorious.

>> Do Eddie and Victorious ever get together?

>> Eddie normally gets together with Joe Cool, which is my Jeep, where he can fit in.

>> Oh.

>> Yeah.

>> "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is filmed in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

>> Visit J's website, uBloom.com, for flower projects and crafts, complete recipes, behind-the-scenes videos, J's blog, flower cocktails, and more.

"J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is brought to you by the following... >> That flower feeling.

At home.

At work.

Or anytime.

CalFlowers is a proud sponsor of "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom," where flowers and wellness go hand in hand.

>> We have fresh in all our stores, from soups and steaks and all things flour to all things flowering.

Custom fresh arrangements designed by our in-store florists at Albertsons Companies.

>> With additional support from the following... PassionRoses.

>> Closed-caption funding provided by Holland America Flowers.