Linda Levitt, Master Gardener Volunteer, rejoins Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley with Flower Power Retrospective (Part 3) . In this episode you'll hear two previously aired short segments about flowers that have been compiled together for easier listening.

In the first segment, Linda discusses how to grow popular fall flowers that include Mums, Asters and Montauk Daisies. Including these beautiful plants in your flower gardens will bring lots of fall color to your landscape. Chrysanthemums are a large genus in the Asteraceae (daisy) family. The plants can grow 2-4 feet tall with blooms that are white, yellow, or pink in the wild species, but also come in multiple cultivars with many colors and shapes of flowers. Mums are divided into garden hardy and exhibition types. Garden hardy mums can be planted in gardens while exhibition mums are more florist types and need special growing care. Garden mums are often sold in the fall but can be planted in the garden for the following year. They need organic soils in full sun but can tolerate some shade in the south. Be sure to cut the plants back in summer to encourage bushiness and a later bloom time. Use in the border, in pots, or on the patio or porch for fall color. Asters are also members of the Asteraceae family. They have daisy-like flowers and come in a variety of colors. They are easy to grow and require minimal maintenance. They typically bloom in late summer and fall, adding color as the seasons change. They have mounding as well as erect varieties and may be propagated by seeds, division, root cuttings, or stem cuttings. Deer, rabbits, and other mammals may nibble at the flower buds but they don't tend to eat the entire plant because of its pungent smell, bitter taste. The plant tolerates the nibbling, which serves as beneficial pruning. Asters are an important food and nesting source for wildlife. The Montauk Daisy (also known as the Nippon daisy) is native to Japan but cultivated as an ornamental elsewhere. This perennial tolerates light shade in hot climates. New growth may be cut back slightly in spring to maintain plant compactness and encourage bushy form. Removing spent flower heads may promote additional blooms. Divide clumps every 2-3 years to maintain vigor. It produces wonderful, long-lasting fresh-cut flowers. They are also good for drought-tolerant gardens.

The second segment features Holiday plants including how to care for them. Amaryllis, Holiday Cactus and Poinsettias are all discussed. Amaryllis bulbs, native to Africa, come in various sizes. Amaryllis may be purchased as bare or planted bulbs, and are prized for their exotic trumpet-shaped flowers (typically red, white, pink, salmon, apricot, rose, or burgundy) on leafless stalks that can be 1-2 feet long. They add dramatic color to homes and gardens and make wonderful gifts to gardeners from beginners to experts. Amaryllis flowers, which can be single or double) range from 4 to 10 inches in size. The holiday cactus is a genus of succulent plants in the cactus family (Cactaceae) that are native to Southeast Brazil. This genus includes the Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus. It has fleshy stems, showy flowers and grows well as a houseplant, preferring moisture but adapting to a variety of home environments. It thrives in bright, indirect sunlight, but doesn't like direct sun. Periods of lower light in the fall will encourage winter blooms. They may be propagated by stem or root cuttings.The poinsettia is native to Mexico and Guatemala. In the United States, it is typically grown as a potted plant and is popular as a decorative flower (available in shades of red, pink, and white) during the holidays. The plant grows best in part shade at temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Water the plant when the soil surface feels dry, but do not overwater. The cup-shaped yellow "flowers" bloom in the winter through the spring and cluster above showy red leafy bracts or modified leaves.

We hope you've enjoyed this retrospective series. As Linda Levitt reminds us "don't forget to stop and smell the flowers'".

Host: Jean Thomas

Guest: Linda Levitt

Photo by: Teresa Golden

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty, Amy Meadow, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski, Jean Thomas

Welcome to Part 2 of the Flower Power Retrospective where the conversation on previously aired short segments is focused on how to select, plant and care for all kinds of flowers. Linda Levitt, Master Gardener Volunteer, shares her knowledge and expertise focused on irises, peonies, marigolds, zinnias, and cosmos.

The first segment concentrates on the iris family. These elegant flowers bring late spring or early summer color to your garden with some varieties that actually bloom again in the fall. These rugged, reliable flowers are easy to grow. The 250 to 300 species of irises grow well here in the Hudson Valley. While they tend to be deer resistant, they are great for pollinators and hummingbirds. Learn about the two major groups, those that grow from spreading rhizomes and those grown from bulbs. Irises in the rhizomatous family, which included the popular bearded iris, have multiple flowers on a stem. They are highly adaptable to a wide range of conditions, and a good selection for low maintenance mixed borders. The bulbous irises shed their leaves unlike the rhizome irises that maintain their sword like leaves if unattended. These irises you might find in a spring floral bouquet. This grouping does well in rock gardens and forcing them in pots. Most irises grow in full sun exposure for at least a half a day. Many grow in the shade but most likely will not bloom. They should be planted in late summer to early fall, early enough for the rhizomes to get established and survive over the winter. However, note that if you plant the rhizome and roots too deeply, they will not bloom. Irises do need good drainage. They look great when planted along with roses, peonies, salvias and alliums. Plant Iris is where you can watch the butterflies and hummingbirds.

The second segment features a favorite flower in Hudson Valley gardens, the peony. They are elegant, long-living perennials known for their large, fragrant flowers. Blooming in late spring, they are excellent for cut arrangements. Their flowers come in shades of pink, purple, red, white, and yellow. These plants thrive in sunny spots with well-drained soil and can be stunning, low-maintenance additions to any garden. Learn about the three main types:

• Tree Peonies: Woody shrubs, 4–7 feet tall, hardy in zones 4–9, blooming April–May, with very large flowers.
• Herbaceous Peonies: Die back yearly, hardy in zones 2–8, bloom May–June, long-living (up to 50 years), low maintenance, deer resistant.
• Intersectional (Itoh) Peonies: Hybrid of tree and herbaceous types, hardy in zones 4–9, bloom in June, with big, colorful flowers and strong stems that don’t require staking.

The final segment focuses on three easy to grow annual flowers that bloom all summer. They are marigolds, zinnias, and cosmos. Marigolds are a favorite, no fuss annual, that germinate quickly from seed and will bloom in about eight weeks. They tend not to be a favorite of deer or rabbits, although there's never a guarantee. Marigolds are beneficial in repelling several types of insects, and as such are a great companion in vegetable gardens. They are an excellent choice for live bouquets, growing in containers or planting as a border along sidewalks and driveways due to their high heat tolerance. Zinnias are one of the easiest annuals to grow, offering an explosion of color and shades of orange, pink, purple, red, white, and yellow. They grow quickly and reliably and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Long strong stems make them excellent for cut flower arrangements.Cosmos are freely flowering plants that are easy to grow from seed, maturing in about two months. They may be considered slow to germinate but it will bloom quickly. The flowers sit atop a long slender stem that comes in a variety of colors and look very much like daisies. All three of these annual plants require full sun exposure and will bloom from late spring until frost, although zinnias tend to be less prolific in the heat of the summer. All three plants attract various pollinators. The marigold plants will attract butterflies, bees, ladybugs and other beneficial insects. Zinnias will attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Cosmos will attract bees, butterflies and birds. These are all easy to grow colorful additions that can be added to your garden each year.

We hope you enjoy this episode and remember, take the time to smell the flowers!

Host: Jean Thomas

Guest: Linda Levitt

Photo By: Teresa Golden

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty, Amy Meadow, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski, Jean Thomas

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