Category — waterfront 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.

Green can be beautiful on Smith Mountain Lake, whether you are talking about our lush golf courses or homes built with the environment in mind. Recently the Washington Post published an article about the first home LEED certified in Smith Mountain Lake; only 16 other homes in all of Virginia have earned that distinction as well. The home is no small bungalow either, at 5,200 square feet, it proves you can be big, bold and beautiful and still be environmentally friendly.

Wayne and Joan Pepper had owned their lakefront lot for several years and a decrease in the cost of building supplies gave them a green light to move forward with building their dream home. They wanted to have a home that was energy efficient and retirement ready, little did they know they would get much more than that! When the home was completed it had earned LEED-certification and that is not an easy feat.
What Is LEED?
LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is an internationally recognized building certification system developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). The main emphasis of LEED is promoting sustainable building practices. Any building that meets the requirements can earn certification whether it is a residential or commercial build. It works on a 100 point scale and even has bonus points available with some being based on regional environmental concerns.

LEED certification also takes in the whole life of the home being built, not just its energy efficiency. How and what materials a home is built with come into consideration. Waste management during construction must be kept to 10% of materials. Indoor air quality, using renewable construction materials and even storm water management play key roles in certification.

Storm water management is a special concern for residents of Smith Mountain Lake. Keeping the lake clean and clear is a top priority for those who live along its shores. The Pepper’s decision to build their vacation/retirement home came after visiting the lake. Smith Mountain Lake had everything they were looking for and now they have the first of hopefully many LEED-certified homes in the area.

Green can be beautiful on Smith Mountain Lake! Come for a visit, if you like it then move here!! Whether you are looking for a luxury waterfront home ready to move in to, or if you want a lot to build on, call Vicki Millehan, your local real estate resource.

If you haven’t bought your Christmas tree yet this year, it is not too late to get a tree! Living in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains has its advantages this time of year! Some of the best trees can be found at the local tree farms. Whatever your preference; firs, pines or spruce, there is a perfect tree waiting for you in Virginia!

Buy Local

Just like buying from the local farmers market in summer, buying your Christmas tree locally does more than get you a beautiful tree. Buying local keeps your money local. This helps your community and supports the area families. There are immediate benefits too! Buying from a tree farm usually means your tree is fresh cut. This means less drying out, better needle retention and less fire hazard! Prices are usually more competitive because you are not paying for the tree to be shipped across the country. Lastly, many local farmers will even offer Tree Delivery services, so be sure and ask about it!

Make a Holiday Memory!

You can sometimes even do a little Christmas shopping while you are there! At Dancing Hill Christmas Tree Farm in Bedford you can create Christmas memories. Bring the whole family and the dog too! Everyone is welcome to help you find that perfect tree. They have hot chocolate and cider to keep you warm, and a Gift Shop to browse for that one of a kind gift! In Bedford County, you can also buy live potted Christmas trees at Green Needles Christmas Tree Farm. They will be having a family fun day Sunday December 13th from 1pm – 5pm with free Christmas crafts for the kids and even pony rides available.

At Ponds-n-More in Roanoke you can purchase pre-cut trees that have been grown chemical and pesticide free. Most tree farms also have greenery for roping and have wreaths available too for all your holiday greenery!

Living in Smith Mountain Lake has many advantages, from fresh Christmas trees to summer fun on the lake! It is a great place to call home! Come for a visit, if you like it then move here! When you are ready to make Smith Mountain Lake your home call Vicki Millehan! Luxury home or lakeside cottage, she can help you find your Virginia home!

The big day is almost here! The time of year where you enjoy family, friends and lots of comfort foods! It also kicks off some of the best shopping of the season. It is also time for a certain jolly old man dressed in red to show up at Smith Mountain Lake. It is a well known fact he does some of his best Holiday shopping right here!

Santa will be arriving at the lake on November 28th, at 1pm. He will be coming via boat of course and docking at Bridgewater Plaza. He will be available to visit with the children in his workshop from 1-4pm. There will also be free mini golf at Harbortown Mini golf that day starting at noon and ending at four. If you don’t get a chance to catch Santa then, don’t worry! He will be in his workshop December 5th, 12th, and 19th. When he is not at his workshop, Santa will be shopping the Smith Mountain Lake hot spots!

It is rumored that the big guy is using the Smith Mountain Lake Holiday Gift Guide to help him find the perfect presents for those on the nice list! One of his first stops will be Emerson Creek Pottery. He has several patterns on his list like Cranberry and a winter favorite, Snowman. After he picks up the pottery, rumor has it he is headed to the Savoy-Lee winery to pick up a few bottles of Virginia wine to relax with after his deliveries are complete. You don’t have to be Santa to be able to enjoy the holidays at Smith Mountain Lake! There are so many unique gifts available through the local merchants.

As you sit down to enjoy your Thanksgiving meal and start planning the hustle and bustle of the weeks ahead, don’t forget the Flotilla for Toys boat parade on December 5th! More information to come! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from Vicki Millehan and her team at Prudential Waterfront Homes. Don’t forget to visit Smith Mountain Lake this winter and if you like it then move here!

It may sound strange to talk about weddings in November, but when it comes to booking you want to make sure you have your venue in plenty of time. If you are considering a summer or fall wedding at Smith Mountain Lake, now is the time to consider what you want to do for your wedding by the water!

Just about every weekend from Spring through late fall, there is someone getting married somewhere at Smith Mountain Lake! With the variety of places to get married, it is no wonder. How about tying a “sailor’s knot” and getting married on the Lake!! The Virginia Dare side wheeler offers full blown wedding packages to exchange vows. Their wedding packages vary from rehearsal dinner to the wedding ceremony. The menu choices are fantastic! You can have anything from hors d’oeuvres to a full meal chosen from the menu, from open bar to cash bar, pretty much anything you need for a wedding or reception can be created in a package for you!

If you prefer a wedding overlooking the water, rather than on it, the Mariner’s Landing may be what you are looking for! Their wedding packages can be simple and intimate starting at around $1500 or you can go all the way up to Elegant and Extravagant at around $24,000. They even offer a wedding coordinator to help you plan all the details! Whether it is a weekday wedding or a weekend long celebration, they can help you create your dream wedding!

There are many breath taking places in Franklin and Bedford County to help you celebrate your Big Day! From the wineries to the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, there are many ways to relax before you walk down the aisle! From beginning to end you won’t find a better place to tie the knot!

If you are still wondering why Smith Mountain Lake is such a popular place for these big events, then you need to plan at trip to the area! Come for a visit and if you like it, then move here! There are many places to enjoy whether it is for your Big Day or just a family vacation! If you are ready to make a commitment to a new home on Smith Mountain Lake, call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate expert!

You know that Bedford County is known for its history and its wine! This weekend you have the chance to enjoy both, plus a little music and some stargazing too! You can enjoy candlelight tours of the Old City Cemetery, Spooky Ghost stories, and checking out the lovely hues of autumn leaves, all without leaving the area!

Gravestones Talk!
On Saturday evening, you can choose from lots of great things to do with the family. If you love history and stories of days gone by, then the Old City Cemetery Candlelight tours is right up your alley! The Old City Cemetery can be toured any day of the week from dusk until dawn. The daytime visits are free! The Mourning Museum is open 11am -3pm everyday of the week through October. There are other museums on the site to tour as well. But if you want to enjoy an interactive experience then the Candle light tour is the way to go! Actors dress up as the cemetery residents and share their story. It is quite an experience! For more information you can call 434-847-1465.

Spooky Tales!
If you want a more spooky experience, then spend Saturday at Peaks of Otter Winery! During the day you can enjoy a beautiful tour of the winery and enjoy the Peak Foliage Open House. It is FREE from noon to 5pm! Enjoy fresh cider and apples; try some of the unique wines of the vineyard! Then head over to the Peaks of Otter Lodge for the final evening program of the season: Spooky Ghost Stories! One of our fine Park Rangers will tell “home brewed” ghost stories based on the legend and lore of the mountains! Costumes welcome!! There will be free candy too! So bring the little ones out for a fun night starting at 7:30pm in the Flat Top Room.

Starry Night!
Lastly, if you want to just sit back and enjoy the stars then head over to Hickory Hills Vineyard! This free event starts at 6pm on October 24th. Live music will play until the sun goes down and the stars come out! Local astronomer Jim Schauberger will be on hand with his telescope to give a tour of the clear night sky! The night tour will begin at 10PM, bring the kids, the blanket and dress warm! You can even a picnic under the stars! If you have binoculars or even your own telescope, bring those too and enjoy the beauty of Virginia’s night skies!!

These are just a few of the things going on around Bedford, VA! So come for a visit, and if you like it then move here! Finding your perfect waterfront property does not have to be scary! Just give Vicki Millehan a call! She can help you find the right home for you!