Luscious Landscapes: The Blossoms

See also:
Luscious Landscapes - Lake Charlevoix
Luscious Landscapes - Bay Harbor

As if we could do a feature on glorious gardens and luscious landscapes and leave out the Blossoms. And not only because of their name.

If you’ve ever been out on Round Lake in Charlevoix or walked downtown and glanced to the stretch of homes next to the lift bridge, your eye was surely drawn to the colorful property of Lowell and Sharon Blossom.

Along with the assistance of their caretaker and gardener, Steve Hancock, the Blossoms grow all their own flowers at their private greenhouse in Charlevoix in early spring. When they’re ready to be planted — later than usual this year, because of the cold start to summer — the grounds at their landmark “mushroom house” come alive like a fairy tale.

(The Blossoms’ home was built by Virginia Olson, the daughter of the late Earl young. young was Charlevoix’s renowned architect who built the famous “mushroom” or “smurf” houses around town; think of the Weathervane as a classic example.)

Together with Hancock, the Blossoms choose an annual color theme and literally go wild, with thousands of plantings brightening their landscape. The whimsical property also is home to “Octopussy,” a rounded wooden head sculpture with a painted face and limbs of potted petunias, and “Miz Blossom,” a waterfront mannequin created with flowers.

“If we had a nickel, or a penny, for every boat that goes by and the flashbulbs that go off ...” said sharon. “And we have people come by in their dinghies and take pictures. It’s so much fun, and they always say ‘Thank you.’”

Livening their share of Charlevoix is a way for the Blossoms to give to the community, sharon added.

On a recent afternoon, visitors in town for a Tiara rendezvous asked to tour the property, and more than 60 boaters walked the grounds and took in the elaborate display of grandeur. Another afternoon, a group of a dozen plein air painters set up easels and found inspiration among the impatiens.

Added Sharon, “It’s not just for us.”

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