Tri-City News Real Estate Dec. 2, 2011 by Black Press Digital

Home ShowcR REVIEW EVIEW

A32 Friday, December 2, 2011, Tri-City News

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Christmas Rose needs some protection IN THE GARDEN Brian Minter Once they’ve been planted, helleborus plants don’t need a great deal of care

n old-fashioned gardens, Helleborus niger, or the ‘Christmas Rose’, was certainly one of the best known winter flowers. And for 2005, the whole helleborus family was chosen as the Perennial Plant of the Year. The earliest to flower, H. niger, is native to many parts of Europe, in particular to the sub-alpine woods of Austria and northern Italy, and many varieties are available, some hardy to -30 F. Helleborus niger is so named because its roots are black; the blossoms, however, are pure white. Depending upon the type of winter we have and the variety of helleborus, blooming can begin in December and continue well into late March. The Heuger Company, under the leadership of Josef Heuger, has bred fabulous earlier blooming H. nigers that have glossy green leaves and offer superior garden performance. The earliest to bloom is H.n. ‘Jacob’. It blooms about two weeks earlier than other varieties. It has strong stems and upright blossoms that are far larger and

showier. Its tough shiny green foliage allows it to be brought indoors in a cool room for the Christmas season and then be planted out in mild weather after the holiday season. Helleborus niger ‘Josef Lemper’ has very large flowers on robust stems, and it too is very showy because of its upward facing blooms. It has superior garden performance and makes a wonderful addition to our winter gardens. Helleborus plants can be propagated from seed or from divisions; the latter is certainly the fastest way to achieve a blooming plant. Up until a few years ago, finding helleborus was difficult because they usually arrived bare root from Holland and were exceedingly tough to re-root. With the growing interest, and with tissue culture and new seeding techniques, more perennial growers have begun producing them, and they are now quite plentiful. I would recommend that the home gardener purchase only well established plants that have been grown in a container for at least one year. Helleborus niger, like many other winterflowering plants, should be placed in a protected spot, next to a house, wall or in front of a protective barrier of evergreens, but always out of cold winter winds. The more protected their location, the earlier and longer they will bloom. They also prefer a semishaded site, but it is important that they receive some sun in winter. A location under deciduous trees is ideal, as long as the shade

is not too dense. A cool, moist situation is preferred, and deep watering is essential during periods of drought. Any soil in your garden that produces good flowering plants will usually suit helleborus. Container-grown plants can be set out at any time of the year, but it is wise to prepare a deep planting hole because the roots must stretch down, not outward. It is also important to set

the crowns of the plants just below the soil line. Good drainage is essential, as the fleshy roots will not tolerate wet feet, however, they love ‘humusy’ conditions. I have found a mixture of peat, bark mulch and bone meal helpful in the development of new root growth. Once established, helleborus plants need little care. Although aphids can sometimes be a problem, few other insects bother them. Even slugs tend to shy away from their bitter leaves. They love to be fertilized, and a feeding of 10-15-19 fertilizer in early spring and mid-summer is ideal to help develop a strong root system and plenty of flowers. You’ll find that most helleborus are rather slow growing perennials. It may take a year or two before they begin flowering in earnest. To get more plants, it is often tempting to divide smaller clumps in half, but you must be careful. No dividing should take place until the plants have at least a dozen or more strong leaves on a good sized clump. The larger the clump grows, the more bountiful the flowers. I always remember a fresh bouquet of ‘Christmas Roses’ on my Grandmother’s hearth each Christmas. They are certainly a special winter treat. Today many helleborus varieties are being grown in BC, and the first ones are now in bloom for planting outside in your garden or even in containers. Don’t’ miss out on these amazing winter plants and remember, they also make wonderful Christmas gifts.

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Tri-City News Friday, December 2, 2011, A33

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#103 - 33070 - 5th ave., mission, bc ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ #0665 + #0666 + + + + + + + + + D ED CE C + + DU DU E E R R + + Shop!! Legal Suites Allowed + PropertyMan-sized + boasts lifestyle many yearn Corner cul-de-sac location! Backs onto + + for to get away from the noise! 4500 greenspace! Pick your colours. Separate + tub (jetted) & shower in m/bdrm. 2 + sqft home w/6 bedrooms, 2 rec rooms. Lots of storage, mini barn, dog kennel laundries (bsmnt European style). Come + area. Man-sized shop w/studio above. + check out the layout! $479,900 + $749,900 + To view call Mindy 604.826.1000 To view call Mindy 604.826.1000 + + #0664 + #0738 + + + + + + + D D CE + + U CE D DU RE E + + R Legal Suite on Greenbelt! + 10th Floor Condo - Abby + Legal suites allowed! Time to choose Gladwin Towers. A fun place to live!! your colours & put your input into this + + Close to everything. 2 bdrm, 2 baths, rehome! Spacious games rm/bdrm/den done kitchen, newer ﬂoor. Sep. dining + + with full bath for upstairs use! Check room, living room. Enclosed sundeck/ out the functional layout on this new + + den/family rm. Priced to sell. $219,000 home. $479,900 To view call Mindy 604.826.1000 + To view call Mindy 604.826.1000 + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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A34 Friday, December 2, 2011, Tri-City News

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GVHBA renovation seminar attracts more than 300 people

Tips for getting you through the renovation Do you want to renovate your house, but find the whole idea a little intimidating? The Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association is on the case. Last week the GVHBA held a seminar meant to demystify the whole process. The seminar attracted over 300 attendees, and GVHBA President and CEO Peter Simpson says they went home ready to go on their projects. He says homeowners need to focus on four key words: get it in writing. Getting everything in writing means you’ll have proof in the event of a dispute. Spell it out on paper and the contractor will have a record of exactly what’s expected, and you will know exactly how much you’re going to pay. Another tip from the seminar is to avoid the underground economy. Homeowners who

take this route are placing themselves at risk by avoiding the safeguards that come with hiring a reputable contractor. You might save yourself some cash, but if something goes wrong you are completely unprotected. Are you going to live in the house during the reno? You’ll have to create a set of rules for the contractor – and your family – to live by. Can the workers use your bathrooms? How about playing music in the house? “All of these rules ... have to be determined up front in the contract,” Simpson says. He also recommends looking for Renomark-branded contractors, who have agreed to the GVHBA code of ethics as well as the RenoMark code of conduct, which mandates minimum standards for warranties, liability, insurance and safety.

Striking a chord with homebuyers

Heritage-style chic at Mosaic’s Foster by Kerry Vital

Entering Mosaic Homes’ newest development, Foster in West Coquitlam, feels like you’re walking into a chic heritage enclave, one that perhaps reminds you of days gone by when a classic red-brick exterior and Georgian architecture was the height of style. Seeing the high-end features and expansive floorplans, you might expect this beauty to come with an equally high-end price tag, perhaps one that keeps it out of reach for the typical first-time home buyer. You’d be wrong. “People are pleasantly surprised they can afford a home that looks this good,” says Mosaic’s Geoff Duyker. “I have never worked on a project that had so many (first-time home buyers) ... It’s really struck a chord with buyers.” Ranging between 607 and 994 square feet, the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes feel spacious as soon as you walk in. Overheight 9’ ceilings and open floorplans combine for a fantastic sense of space. The two-bedroom floorplans are proving particularly popular. “These are the most effective two-

bedroom plans available,” says Duyker. “They give you the maximum possible benefit of space.” There is no shortage of beautiful features at Foster, including engineered laminate wood flooring throughout the living, dining and kitchen areas, and luxurious loop pile carpeting in the bedrooms and dens. Speaking of those kitchens, polished composite stone countertops and a glass tile backsplash are complemented by under-cabinet puck lighting and sophisticated Greenlam and lacquer cabinetry with polished chrome pulls. Stainless-steel appliances are standard, while the integral exposed shelving system (designed by Mosaic) is a serious work of genius. The bathrooms are a spa-like piece of paradise, with deep soaker tubs (also designed by Mosaic) and porcelain tiles on the floors and tub and shower surround. In a charming little touch, the shower includes a recessed pot light

that complements the pendant light fixture in polished chrome and white glass. However, the location has also become a big draw for buyers at Foster. Just a block away from the future Evergreen Line, owners will be surrounded by everything they could possibly need. Schools, recreation facilities, shopping and other amenities are all within easy reach at Foster. Foster held its grand opening in early

November, and within a week, over 100 of the 161 homes were sold. “It’s been quite remarkable,” says Duyker, adding that Mosaic’s reputation for building better homes has contributed to Foster’s popularity. Foster is now selling its third phase, and there is still a good selection of homes available, Duyker says. Homes start at $250,000. For more information visit www.mosaichomes. com/foster or call 604-936-9300.

“

People are pleasantly surprised they can afford a home that looks this good,” says Mosaic’s Geoff Duyker.

Submitted photos

Mosaic’s Foster features elegant red-brick Georgian architecture, above, and spacious living areas. With bedrooms built for relaxation, top, and gourmet kitchens with chic under-cabinet puck lighting, left, homeowners will be able to unwind in their own piece of paradise.

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Tri-City News Friday, December 2, 2011, A35

see the value for yourself Single Family Home

Age

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A36 Friday, December 2, 2011, Tri-City News

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Tri-City News Friday, December 2, 2011, A37

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