Category — retirement homes

In a recent issue of Smith Mountain Laker Magazine, garden photographer, speaker and author Catriona Tudor Erler shares some of her knowledge and experience to help you create an amazing array of flowers around your own home. If the natural beauty exuding from every pore of Smith Mountain Lake compels you to want landscaping to match, follow this expert advice for a fabulous flower frenzy!

Erler recommends these following tips:

Good Soil

If you are not in a hurry, you could collect some organic materials-make sure compost, leaves, rotted manure, and weed-free straw are included in the mixture-and spread at least 5-6 inches on top of the existing soil. Let the worms do all the digging, while the decomposition of the materials will be improving your soil. In a couple of years, it will be ideal for planting.

For more immediate results, till the organic material into the existing soil yourself. If dealing with an area that has a lot of stones, it may be necessary to remove an area of at least 10-12 inches and replace it with a high-quality top soil. However, buyer beware as the quality control of top soil around SML leaves something to be desired. Erler’s personal experience has been a delivery of river bottom sand, almost nutrient-free, that hardened into a concrete of sorts, and another was a delivery of clay. So choose your supplier carefully!

Plant Performers

The challenge of creating your beautiful utopia with minimal care is to work smarter, not harder. Erler advises selecting some perennials that can bloom for long periods, survive with little or no rain at times and are low maintenance.

Geranium ‘Rozanne’-while not deer resistant-are worth protecting because of their garden performance of flowering in early summer and continuing until frost. Helenium ‘Sahin’s Early Flowerer’ will grow as high as 2-3 feet and is deer resistant. Border the flower bed with blanket flowers such as Gaillardia ‘Oranges and Lemons’. Next to the Geranium ‘Rozanne’ and against the background of the lake is a perfect setting.

Don’t Forget the Foliage

Even flowers need a little down time, so while not blooming, offset the garden with foliage. Great possibilities are Hemerocallis ‘Golden Zebra’, Heliopsis ‘Loraine Sunshine’ and Cimicifuga ‘Hillside Black Beauty. Take advantage of the recent hybridizing of coral bells. With such a variety of foliage colors and typical availability at The Growing Place in Wirtz, there is nothing stopping you!

Other forms of flower and foliage are provided with shrubs which also fulfill the need for mass. Try Loropetalum ‘Purple Diamond, Sambucus ‘Black Lace’ and Weigela ‘Eyecatcher’ to start.

Create Dimension

“Reach for the sky,” says Erler. Don’t have everything the same height in the flower bed. Create some dimension with vertical elements by adding supports for vines to grow up tall, the shrubs will help and try some trees too. A few evergreen shrubs can even keep some green through the winter; one idea is a fastigiated conifer.

A final suggestion for this eye-tantalizing feast of flowers is repetition of planting patterns in the border. Keep in mind that alternating the blooming varieties and the foliage will create rhythm and balance in your design.

For more resources on fabulous landscaping around your home or assistance in buying lakefront property, call me, Vicki Millehan. I have over 19 years of experience selling waterfront homes, and am a long-time resident of Smith Mountain Lake.

As most of you know the Home Buyers Tax Credit program has been continued. You can read most of the details in the recent blog: Buy a Smith Mountain Lake Home, Get a Tax Break! With current homeowners now being eligible for a tax credit of up to $6,500, many are asking for details on the expanded program and what it means for them. It seems to be almost custom made for those who are ready to retire or downsize their home!

You can buy a lot of house for $800,000, but not everyone wants a lot of house to take care of! There is a whole generation of Baby Boomers who are just starting out on the road of retirement! On the top of their list is buying a retirement home. The new repeat buyer tax credit can be applied to a home that is smaller and even less expensive than your current home. There are many types of homes that qualify, if you want a condo or cottage on the lake, no problem! If you prefer to live on the lake in a houseboat, you are covered there as well! As long as it is a primary residence, you can buy the right sized home to fit your retirement plans!

Another benefit for retirees is the wider pool of buyers that will be looking for homes. Many of those ready to retire owned homes that were considered a few steps beyond what most first time homeowner would consider. These homes are now in demand for repeat buyers who are ready to take on the next level of home ownership! With the new program, you can sell your city home and buy a smaller home in the country and still qualify!

You can use the tax credit towards your home or you can use it as a down payment on that new sailboat! Whatever you choose to use it for, don’t miss out on this opportunity! You can take advantage of this program through April 30th, 2010 and will need to close by June 30th, 2010. Smith Mountain Lake is a wonderful place to retire! Golf courses, fishing, sailing, hiking; these are just a few of the things you can enjoy in Franklin County!

There is so much to do in Franklin County, Virginia; come for a visit, if you like it then move here!! If you want to see what kind of homes are available in the area call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate expert and long time resident of Smith Mountain Lake!!