Focus on Flowers is a weekly podcast and public radio program about flower gardening hosted by master gardener Moya Andews.
One often sees Veronia, a.k.a. ironweed, on roadsides and in fields and ditches. The wind disperses the seeds, which explains why it is a surprise when it appears in our gardens like an uninvited guest.
We should cut back most perennials in the fall. They don’t look good once it gets cold, so it is best to cut them to the ground and they will come back well next spring.
Joe-Pye weed looks great next to a splash of sunshine yellow from goldenrod or helianthus.
As summer transitions into fall, we usually rely on mums and asters to give us color as the growing season wanes. But here are some other reliable bloomers.
Surprise lilies bloom from late summer into early September, and their cool pink flowers do indeed surprise us when their pale lily-type blooms suddenly appear on their long bare stalks.
CORRECTION (May 2022): Goldenrod is native to North America but has naturalized and become invasive in parts of Eurasia.
“Heli” means sun and “anthus” means flower.
Many annuals need to be deadheaded to keep blooming all season. While snipping off the spent blossoms can hardly be described as hard work, it is easier not to have to remember to do this chore. For that reason, many of us try to buy annuals that do not need deadheading in order to re-bloom all season long and right into fall.
William Shakespeare included so many botanical references in his plays that there are about 175 mentions of flowers, fruits, grains, grasses, seeds, weeds, trees, spices, herbs, and vegetables in his works.
I don’t have a watering system, so I get tired of watering when there are long periods of hot, dry summer weather. Here in the Midwest when it is over 90F, potted plants need watering twice a day and beds on slopes do too. It is a chore that makes me wish I had more drought tolerant plantings.
Janae Cummings speaks with Paul Shoulberg, the writer and director of The Good Catholic and Ms. White Light.
IU Assistant Professor of Photography Elizabeth Claffey speaks with artist Ana Teresa Fernández about the ideas of immigration and gender she explores in her work, and what inspires her to create.
Host Aaron Cain speaks with author and comic Laurie Kilmartin about the anatomy of a good joke, and about how the truth isn’t always funny.
Shayne Laughter speaks with musician, dancer, teacher, and cultural ambassador Kevin Locke.
Payton Knobeloch speaks with New York Times best-selling graphic novelist Nate Powell about how graphic novels and comic books have earned a place in literary culture, and in the classroom.
David Brent Johnson speaks with writer and documentarian Sam Stephenson, about what’s inspired him to create his unique, prize-winning brand of cultural research.
Join us for music by a Czech violinist and composer who was sought after by Haydn and Beethoven, in the same freemasons’ lodge as Mozart, and very much a star of the Vienna musical scene.
Host Aaron Cain speaks with Barthold Kuijken, groundbreaking baroque musician, teacher, conductor, and artistic director of the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra.
All types of marigolds last well as cut flowers, and they are excellent plants for children to grow when they begin gardening.
The chalumeau was a single-reed ancestor of the clarinet, whose brief popularity left a lasting impression. We’ll explore music for the chalumeau--plus, torchsongs on historical instruments, on our featured release Songs Without Words on this week’s edition of Harmonia.
Host Aaron Cain speaks with Vassar College President Elizabeth Bradley, about what economics, healthcare management, and art history have taught her about how to be an effective leader.
White blooms combine so well with other flowers and help make their companions pop!
Janae Cummings speaks with documentary filmmaker Gordon Quinn, about finding a way to tell stories that investigate society and inspire change.
Flowers from bulbs are easy to arrange informally in a vase.
More and more gardeners are seeking information about sustainability.
A novice gardener once told me that she was only going to plant perennials, as they did not need any care. If only that was true!
These trumpet lilies are fragrant, and the pure white blooms are lovely in flower arrangements.
Allium ‘Millennium’ can be planted in the spring and reliably bloom in the heat of summer.
Remember the danger of sudden spring frosts and wait to set out your tender annuals.
Do not take risks by setting out your annual plants too soon.
