Curb Appeal on Balfour
When our beloved Curb Appeal feature returns, that means the weather is warmer, days are a little longer, and the landscaping of the lawns are vibrant and blooming at the same time!
We’re truly excited to highlight the landscape transformation Blythe Collins has done over the course of several years.
As Blythe states, “she didn’t want to mow her lawn at all.” Inspired by a home she saw in Grosse Pointe that features lavender plants, that was the beginning for Bltyhe’s journey of installing the native plants.
Blythe utilized smart shopping tactics to secure the majority of the plants that occupy the yard. Towards the end of the season in 2023, Blythe purchased a number of plants that were on clearance at the Eastern Market.
She utilized the Pinterest app to gain ideas for the design she wanted to implement.
The first year of Blythe living at the Balfour residence, she planted pumpkins along the berm of the lawn. “They exploded everywhere, but they didn’t survive as they got a fungus.”
Prior to Blythe moving in 2020, there was the Japanese maple tree and brick pavers in the center of the lawn. Everything else was a labor of love.
One of the cooler features of the design is the bench that occupies the lawn. The bench belong to Myrna Wolfslayer. Myrna was the previous owner until her passing in 2020. Myrna lived in the house her entire life. To Blythe’s understanding, Myrna’s father, Val Wolfslayer built the house in 1936 (the original blueprints to the home were found in the attic and are signed by Myrna’s father). Blythe is the second owner of the home.
The pollinator-inspired design features a variety of plants ranging from sunflowers, speedwells, catmint, and more! Blythe even created a paver trail that wraps around the entire house.
Blythe has a little more that she would like to implement in the design, but for the most part its just filling in a few spots that are bare. Once the work in the front is complete, Blythe will shift her attention to backyard. “There was a sunroom on the back of the house that unfortunately was super dilapidated, so it had to be torn out. I hope to reimagine it as a greenhouse.”
As far as maintaining the creative landscaped lawn, it does’t require too much maintenance. Blythe uses a little fertilizer for the vegetables, but for the most part its just water. It’s also helpful that the majority of the plants are sun resistant.
Blythe has truly created an oasis right in the middle of the neighborhood. This one will be hard to top for sure!
