Tri-City News Real Estate Jan. 6, 2012 by Black Press Digital

Home ShowcR REVIEW EVIEW

A30 Friday, January 6, 2012, Tri-City News

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Fill your garden with flowering shrubs IN THE GARDEN Brian Minter

wealth of flowering shrubs have been blooming in many gardens since late November, especially with our mild weather so far, but many folks have yet to discover the beauty winter flowering shrubs can bring to a winter garden. To me, a fragrant Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis), blooming in mid-winter, is more special than a whole row of flowering plums in May. Winter flowering shrubs provide that lift we need during those cold, grey days and they bring a gentle reminder that spring is on its way. Let me unfold a chronological map of winter treasures that everyone can enjoy. The star-like yellow blossoms of Jasmine nudiflorum are open now and will continue to flower until mid-March. I recently saw an artistic bouquet of these branches in someone’s home and the old-fashioned charm of these flowers was a match for any spring bouquet. These shrubs are actually a semi-vine and look smashing against an old wall or rustic fence and if you can provide a south or west exposure, the blossoms will appear earlier and bloom more reliably throughout the winter. In colder parts of the Lower Mainland, winter flowering Japanese cherry trees (Prunus ‘Autumnalis’) are rather fickle when it comes to early blossoms, but in Vancouver there is a row of them along Nanaimo Street north of First Avenue which actually starts flowering in

November and continues almost non-stop until April. How many other trees do you know that tease you with colour for almost half the year? I have mentioned deciduous winter flowering Viburnum ‘Pink Dawn’ so many times, but it is still one of my winter favourites. Its fragrant clusters of tiny pink blossoms just never seem to quit. It will throw out a few blossoms in fall, but from early February onward, more and more blossoms will open until this shrub is a mass of pink through to April. We too often overlook a distant cousin of Viburnum ‘Pink Dawn’, the evergreen Viburnum tinus ‘Spring Bouquet’. It is full of white blossoms now that look exceptional when contrasted with its bronze buds and steel blue berries. I like ‘Spring Bouquet’ because, if it is located in a protected, sunny location, it never seems to quit blooming. Its branches are nice to bring inside as cuts and they make a great combination with fresh daffodils. I have a great weakness for witch hazel, especially the fragrant yellow ‘mollis’. Cut a few branches from a vine for indoors and your whole home will be filled with a most exotic perfume. Move over gardenias! Although they don’t have a great perfume, the orange variety, ‘Jelina’ and the red ‘Diane’ are a must for the home garden. By the way, surround the red ones with Snowdrops and you will have the makings of an award-winning combination. One of the less known winter gems is the series of winter flowering Oregon Grape or Mahonia. The variety ‘Winter Sun’ is in full bloom right now and is just as beautiful in sun or shade.

Winter heathers or more correctly Erica carneas, are very important to all our gardens and are being used more frequently now. They perform beautifully in perennial borders, but don’t forget, they make sensational ground covers too! Have you ever seen a bed of white birch clumps surrounded by ‘Springwood’ white heather? If not, try planting one because winter will never

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look better. Plant them in groupings of threes or fives for more impact. Interesting dwarf conifers also look better when planted with such companions. Keep your ericas well drained though or root rot will put an abrupt end to your display. Chimonanthus, or Wintersweet, is in bloom now and its fragrant, light yellow/stained purple flowers are a delight few gardeners have enjoyed.

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Tri-City News Friday, January 6, 2012, A31

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A32 Friday, January 6, 2012, Tri-City News

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MINDY... has sold more real estate than anyone on the entire Fraser Valley Real Estate Board of 2,944 realtors.

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Tri-City News Friday, January 6, 2012, A33

Market expected to remain strong this year

GVHBA forecasts solid performance in 2012 Don’t look for any crazy twists and turns for B.C.’s housing market in 2012. Peter Simpson, President and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association, says the coming year should be solid, if unspectacular, and the market for homes in the Lower Mainland is expected to remain strong through 2012. Numbers for 2011 are expected to end up at just around 18,000 starts, and Simpson expects limited growth for 2012, with home starts staying close to the level set last year. Simpson says first-time homebuyers have returned to the market, which has helped to maintain the number of housing starts. “We’re finding that first-time home buyers are coming back and buying homes. “They can’t see interest rates rising anytime

soon,” he says. “They see it as a good time to get into the market.” Other buyers may still be sitting on the sidelines and waiting out the transition from the HST back to the PST, but Simpson says this might not be the best path to take. The HST, charged on new homes over $525,000 and on labour for renovations, was rejected last summer and the province said it would take 18 months to move back to the PST. For 2012, Simpson and the GVHBA will be proceeding with cautious optimism. While there are economic concerns that are beyond our control, Simpson says the housing market should remain a source of strength for B.C. “The bottom line is there will be a steady market through 2012, and we don’t see any reason for that to change.”

Superior interior design at an affordable price

Varsity has ﬁrst-class features in Langley by Kerry Vital

If you want to be in the right place at the right time, you need look no farther than Redekop Kroeker Development’s Varsity, in Langley. With 231 one- and two-bedroom homes in four buildings, Varsity is destined to become one of the premier home developments in the area. Ranging from 470 to 910 square feet, you won’t have any problems finding the perfect suite for you. One of the biggest draws thus far has been Varsity’s location. “It is a very walkable location with 250-plus stores (and) 100-plus restaurants within a 10-minute walk,” says Rennie Marketing project director Graham Snowden. “Those numbers double if you’re driving.” Snowden isn’t exaggerating. Varsity is extremely close to any amenity or service you could possibly ask for, from supermarkets like Safeway and IGA, to drugstores like London Drugs and Shoppers Drug Mart, and restaurants like IHOP and Red Robin. If you’re looking for some recreation, there are yoga studios, several parks, golf courses and swimming pools nearby as well. Seven schools, from elementary to post-secondary, are available for your educational needs. One of the things RKDI is most proud of in Varsity is its incredible value. “RKDI has committed to providing a home with superior interior design detail at an affordable price,” says Snowden. Some of those interior design details

“

It is a very walkable location with 250-plus stores (and) 100plus restaurants within a 10-minute walk,” says Rennie Marketing project director Graham Snowden.

he says. One special feature in every home is the under-cabinet lighting in the bathroom, which includes a motion sensor so you’ll never be stumbling around in the dark. Rich marble countertops in the main bathroom or square-edge granite in the ensuite make for a luxurious feel, complemented perfectly by the 12” by 24” ceramic floor tiles and antique white tub

surround. “The realtor community, purchasers, visitors and neighbours have all been very impressed with the quality of the interior design details, floor plan design, the affordability, the location and architecture of the building,” Snowden says. Homes at Varsity start at $149,900. For more information visit www. liveatvarsity.com or call 604-539-2200.

include closet organizers in every bedroom and under-cabinet puck lighting in the kitchen. The kitchen is one of Snowden’s favourite parts of the development. “On the surface you see the granite counters and stainless-steel appliances. When you look a little deeper, you are welcomed by a stainless-steel gas range, French-door fridge, soft-close cabinets and stainless-steel undermount sink,”

Submitted photos

Redekop Kroeker’s Varsity is turning heads in Langley. With spacious master bedrooms that include walk-in closets, left, and gourmet kitchens with stainless-steel appliances and stylish countertops, top, there is no shortage of beauty at Varsity.

A34 Friday, January 6, 2012, Tri-City News

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