Episode 172: Flower Power Retrospective (Part 2)

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

Resources

• leonineiris.com
• thespruce.com
• How to Plant a Peony Garden | Martha Stewart
• Peonies – Cricket Hill Garden (treepeony.com)
• A-2-3 Peonies.pmd (ccenassau.org)
• Clemson.edu | Marigold
• Michigan State University | Growing zinnias in your flower garden
• Texas A&M | Cosmos Produces Cosmic Beauty

Last updated May 8, 2025