Turning Your Garden Into a “Certified Pollinator Habitat”

Pollinating insects are in trouble! Almost daily you hear continuing reports of declining numbers of insect and bird populations. There is one thing we can do to help that is actually pretty simple—many of us are already halfway, if not almost, there.

Under the direction of Lynchburg’s Blue Ridge Conservation (BRC) it is easy to create a pollinator garden and certify it as a “pollinator-friendly habitat.” BRC is dedicated to supporting the biodiversity and sustainability of the natural environment. They have worked throughout the region and are now encouraging the citizens of Central Virginia to sign up for their truly local garden certification program.

Their online certification application directs you through a process that can be completed in only six simple steps. Below is an overview:
1. Provide food. It’s important that you choose only plants from BRC’s native plant list for the certification. Our local insects and wildlife need plants that have evolved in this region. This is particularly true when they are raising offspring!

The plants that provide nesting sites and food for insects in the larval stage are called “host” plants. Most of the time it takes one specific plant to feed one specific insect—commonly called a specialized relationship. (Think monarchs and milkweed for example, or fennel and parsley for swallowtail caterpillars.) The more diverse your host plants, the more insect variety you’ll find in your garden later.

You’ll also need plants that provide nectar in the summer. European honeybees will collect nectar from a variety of plants, but native bees have more specific needs. Asters and goldenrods are only two of the power-packed nectar sources for our local insects. Make an effort to provide nectar plants throughout the summer into late fall.

Refer to the native plant list (located on the BRC website with the application), do some homework and choose plants that feed the most insects and bees.

2. Provide a water source. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. A saucer, or even a dog bowl, with water and unsubmerged stones for the insects to sit on while they cool themselves is enough to do the job. If you’d like to attract birds into this lush habitat you’re creating, consider a moving water source; add a running water sound from a trickling fountain and you’ll be serenaded by songbirds.

3. Provide shelter. This where you can get really creative or be extremely simple. Your choice! You could make an elaborate bee hotel or simply leave a small pile of sticks somewhere on the ground for insects to use for a home. If you just want to check the box and not think about making something, BRC has solitary bee houses for sale on their website. Most of the things that we throw away as lawn debris would provide habitat if we only thought differently about them.

4. Safeguard your habitat. Once your garden is planted you have to take some precautions to keep it safe and healthy by reducing the use of pesticides and herbicides around your home. It’s also necessary to fight invasive plants that crowd out the native plants our pollinators require to thrive. You can identify invasive plants on the Department of Conservation Resources website: www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/invsppdflist.

5. Remit payment. Finish filling out the application with a $20 fee that purchases your own “Certified Pollinator Habitat” metal sign. You can proudly show others you are helping to support the pollinator population in Central Virginia.

6. Submit application. With a few small steps in your garden, together we can help make Central Virginia “bee aflutter,” one pollinator garden at a time.

A Complete Guide to Starting Seeds Indoors (and Producing Your Best Veggie Garden Yet!)

The most difficult time of year for me as a gardener is the window between winter and spring, when the planting season is tantalizingly close, but the ground is still too frozen, and the last frost of the season has not yet come and gone. That’s when I’m itching to get out into my garden and get my hands into that dark soil. But I can’t. Not yet.

Conveniently, right around the time that I start to get worked up into a gardening frenzy, it’s time to start seeds indoors!

A lot of folks believe that growing from seed is too challenging and not worth the effort. However, with a little knowledge, anyone can grow from seed. Once you
get the hang of it, you’ll never go back.

Here are the advantages:
Starting from seed is more cost-effective than purchasing transplants from garden stores. A seed packet contains dozens (even hundreds) of seeds, each one a potential plant. And in the right conditions they can be stored for years. This means that your single $1-$5 purchase can produce a bounty of vegetables over multiple growing seasons.

When it comes to live plants, most garden stores only stock a small variety. You’ll find regional staples: tomatoes, peppers, zucchini. But there are hundreds (maybe thousands) of interesting and unique varieties of veggies to try.

And finally, growing from seed is more sustainable.

2020 brought to light a host of concerns and uncertainties—a big one was food security. As a result, more people than ever were trying their hand at home gardening for the first time. The ability to grow your own food is an essential skill. But knowing how to grow from seed is the bedrock of sustainable food. Also, when you grow from seed you can purchase from ethical companies who are open about their seed acquisition and development processes.

Without further ado, let’s get to the dirt of the matter:
First, you’ll need some seeds. Seed shopping is one of my favorite activities. I adore seed catalogues! I have a dictionary-thick stack on my coffee table. The best part?

They’re usually free!

I’ve included a list of my favorites. Of course, there’s also nothing wrong with taking a trip to your local garden store, or even a big box store, and picking your seed packets right off the shelves.

Start by reading the back of a seed packet (or the description in the catalogue), which should contain everything you need to know. It will help you figure out when to start your seeds—which is very important. On average, most crops can be started indoors about six weeks before the last frost. In Zone 7a, our last frost date averages around April 16.

Next, choose a location and gather your supplies. You’ll need plenty of space and a safe, level surface for your seedlings that won’t be bumped. You’ll also need someplace warm once the seeds have germinated. Supplies include seed-starting mix, something to plant the seeds in, labels for identification, and plenty of light and water.

Seed-starting mix is actually not “dirt” in the strictest sense of the word. It usually doesn’t contain any actual soil, but instead is loaded with compost, peat, and other things that hungry young plants need to thrive. You can purchase it at a local garden store, or make it yourself. I personally like those seed pods that come with the seed-starting trays available in garden centers. They’re cheap, easy to work with, and they do a great job of containment, at least in the beginning. The trays are also really easy to move and help with drainage. But you can use anything such as plastic cups or yogurt containers. But make sure to poke plenty of holes in the bottom of whatever you use.

Now, it’s time to plant! In each seed pod or container, open a hole in the soil to the appropriate seed depth, and drop in a seed. You may choose to plant a couple of seeds in the same container, and thin them out once they start to grow. Cover the seeds lightly with the dirt, and water gently. Make sure to label your plantings. I use plastic spoons and a Sharpie.

Most seeds germinate best in dark environments.

They actually don’t need sunlight at this point. Set them somewhere away from direct sun, in a darkened area if possible, and keep the seeds watered, but not soaked. Make sure that water does not collect at the bottom of your seed containers or in your tray. Seeds that stay too wet can grow mold and won’t thrive. This watering approach should continue as your seedlings sprout and grow.

Check on them daily. Once you see little green sprouts, it’s time for a change of scenery because now they’ll need a nice bright location. Of course, access to sunlight is ideal, although extremely warm temperatures are not required. Average temperatures of between 55 and 70 seem to be perfect.

While we’re on the subject of light, everyone knows that light is vital to plant growth. This is especially true for seedlings.

While a sunny, temperature-controlled area may work to produce healthy seedlings, the reality is you probably don’t have enough natural light to get your seeds off to the best start. To solve this problem, you can purchase grow lights (which can get expensive) or you can create your own, more affordable lighting by simply using a fluorescent shop light with one “warm” white bulb, and one “cool” white bulb. You’ll want to suspend your lights about three inches from the tops of the plants. You can do this by purchasing an adjustable fluorescent light stand, or by simply hanging some chain or wire from above. Move the lights upward as the plants grow, but keep them close so that the seedlings can soak up all the energy they need. Ideally, the lights should be on for at least 16 hours a day.

As your plants grow, they will need more nutrients. The first set of leaves that appear are called cotyledons and are not considered “true leaves” because they’re actually a part of the seed or embryo. They’re typically very simple-looking. Soon, however, your plants will start to develop true leaves, which look a bit more crinkled and unique. Once the second set of true leaves form on your plants, it’s time to give them a boost. Use a liquid vegetable fertilizer, but mix it to half-strength. Water your seedlings with it about twice a week.

This is also the time when you will want to thin your seedlings to one plant per pot. Choose the one that looks the healthiest and carefully pluck the other. As they grow, you may need to move them into larger containers.

Eventually, the day will come when your little seedlings are ready to be transplanted outside. Of course, the real world is much more unpredictable than the comforts of the nursery, so they’ll need to be prepared. “Hardening” is the process of preparing seedlings for the outdoor environment and is a very important part of growing from seed. In fact, if this step is skipped or not done properly, all of your hard work could be lost. About two or three weeks before your transplant date (which will be noted on your seed packet) begin to set the seedlings outside on calm weather days. Place them in a shady location and bring them back inside in the evenings. Don’t allow them to be subjected to wind, extreme temperatures, or direct sun.

Each day, expose them to just a bit more sunlight, and continue to water, though not as rigorously as before.

Once your seeds are used to full sun, transplant your seedlings into your prepared garden beds by digging planting holes a bit wider than the root ball of the plant. Remove the plant from its pot, careful not to damage the roots too much.

Then, set the plant into the hole, and cover lightly with soil. Water them into their new homes, and monitor them in the days and weeks to come. Use stakes and cages to support tall growing plants as they clamber toward the sunlight and begin to produce tons of delicious fruits and veggies for you and your family to enjoy!

Homeowners gravitate toward statement-making cabinet choices

Anyone who follows home décor trends on social media and beyond will already know: bolder, more saturated colors are edging their way into a world of all-white kitchens. Sometimes it’s subtle—a hint of an interesting hue on the kitchen island. Other times, more in-your-face with a bright paint choice all over.

Tracy Kearney, a certified kitchen designer at Cornerstone Cabinets and Design in Forest, says while white is still the cabinet color of choice for clients in Central Virginia, they are starting to hear more requests for color—a movement she believes may have stemmed from the pandemic.

“I believe it’s because people are trying to flip their moods, increase their energy levels, and add a little more fun in the home,” Tracy says. “Because the home has now become the safe haven.”

The cabinet colors people choose are largely dependent on their individual personalities, she says—but in general, blues and greens have been their top “pop” color request. “I have been doing a lot of designing for wellness and living healthy,” she says. “We are trying to bring the outdoors in.”

For those who are less adventurous and can’t quite commit to a bold cabinet option anywhere, Tracy says they will suggest using a contrasting neutral color, such as Cityscape by Sherwin Williams, somewhere less pronounced, like the kitchen island. Or, choosing a color for just the lower cabinets has also been a popular way to add contrast to the room without overdoing it.

Alongside the introduction of color, Tracy has seen unique cabinet textures become popular as well, tying into a natural, outdoor-inspired aesthetic. “The textured melamine finishes have the look and feel of real wood, but they offer a more modern style. Plus they are water resistant, as well as a cleanable and stain-proof surface. Something that can be more desirable in today’s world,” she explains.

They are also getting ready to introduce some weathered wood looks to clients. “Getting back to those earthy tones and going after the wood grain texture more so than the color,” Tracy says. “I think this is also going to be a popular option for kitchen islands.”

Accenting these unique cabinet colors and finishes is the hardware, which Tracy calls the “jewelry” of the finished product. Right now, satin brass and black are their most popular hardware finishes.

She says when it comes to choosing a more saturated cabinet color: “The contrast is really important with the hardware. We don’t want to lose the hardware in the cabinet color.”

Regardless of where you end up on the rainbow of options during your next new build or renovation project, Tracy’s consistent piece of advice to clients is this: remember to make it your own—“I always advise people to do what brings them the most joy. Nowadays, it really is all about joy.”

The dos and don’ts of making your home more tech-savvy

The world has always been fascinated by smart homes, smart describing a home’s automated technology. Walt Disney dreamed of what the world could look like with his Carousal of Progress. We’ve seen the future portrayed by the Jetsons, Marty McFly, and 2001: A Space Odyssey. While pop culture may have missed a few details, smarter homes certainly are more accessible than ever.

“I remember realizing when we would see more ‘smart’ technology come to the average consumer,” TechdHome owner Tony Pennix said. “I saw this advertisement for a smart fish tank that you could control with your phone or a web browser.”

With a background in engineering and IT, Pennix worked at the University of Virginia initially, servicing and programing academic buildings. As a side gig, he began setting up systems for his friends before transitioning over to his own consulting business last year.

“My friend said he hated adjusting the thermostat when he left his house and wanted to know if there was a way he could program it,” Pennix said. “So I sat down with him, explained how a hands-free system would work, and scheduled a time to set it up.”

According to Pennix, the market is saturated with smart products ranging anywhere to lightbulbs to ovens to mirrors.

“The most popular thing that people want is a security system,” he said. “They see advertisements for Ring all the time and go, ‘Oh, I want that.’ But it’s my job to help them decide what they want and what the best product is.”

Pennix said every system does something different—so it’s important to ask a lot of questions.

“Like, do you want alerts every time there’s movement? Sometimes, that’s not what people want. Do you want a spotlight to shine? Do you want to change the batteries in your system every few months? Then I make recommendations based on what a customer is looking for.”

If you want to transition to a hands-free smart home, Pennix said the best place to start is your WiFi connection.

“Nearly all of these systems run over the internet,” he said. “You want to make sure you have a great router and provider. That will make all the difference in the world when setting up a system.”

Next is research. Pennix said you want to find companies with a reputable reputation before making a purchase.

“You will get what you pay for,” Pennix said. “If you buy a $5 camera, chances are they may be selling your information. You also have to decide whether you want to pay for a subscription to keep your information or if you just want to have access to it.”

Besides home security, Pennix said the second most popular smart product he sees in homes are speakers—Google products are popular and so is Amazon’s Echo.

“Your smart speaker can do so much more than just tell you what the weather is or how traffic is in the morning,” he said.

“Not only can it tell you the weather, but you can set it to adjust your thermostat or turn on the fans to help with air circulation or maybe open the curtains to let some sunlight in.”
Pennix said that’s why consultations are important; customers get more bang for their buck.

“You can usually set up a system, but sometimes you don’t know how to work it to the fullest extent. That’s why I like to add things like adjusting the blinds or turning on the lights when you get home to add extra things to a smart home package.”

So, what’s the next trend we can expect to see in homes over the next few years? Pennix believes our gadgets will only continue to impress by adapting to the home they are in.

“I think we’re going to be all about the artificial intelligence and machine learning to give customers a more curated experience based on their needs,” Pennix said.

In the season of quarantines and temperamental weather, many of us find ourselves looking around and wondering how to freshen up, or even totally overhaul, the spaces where we are now spending so much time.

It’s a desire I understand well. My husband and I have owned Penny Lane Properties for the past 13 years and have renovated and restored thousands of square feet in the Lynchburg area, most of which started out in partial or complete disrepair. Along the way, we have learned to envision spaces and design them in beautiful ways. I have also learned that while many people know what they like when they see a finished space, they don’t often know how to start creating it themselves.

Enter interior designers, who are available for many types of projects and budgets. That’s good news for those thinking the best thing to happen to 2021 might just be a stylish space upgrade.

Here are a few reasons to consider hiring an interior designer:
Elevate Your Personal Flavor
Consider this comparison: You wouldn’t go to a restaurant and expect to cook your own meal. While your home is certainly your own, bringing in an expert to maximize its potential and your vision for it is a bit like hiring a home chef whose flavor and palate align with your own.

“Choose a designer who resonates with your design style, but also one you connect with on a personal level,” said Tera Janelle of Lynchburg-based Tera Janelle Design. “The best designs come from really wonderful designer-client relationships!”

A Listening Ear
One of the greatest benefits of using a skilled designer is that they not only see a space for what it could be (which is often limitless) but they are also pseudo-psychologists when it comes to listening to your hopes and dreams for the space and scaling them to reality, timelines, and budgets. Hiring an interior designer is a bit like hiring a translator, taking the pictures in your head and bringing them to life in the real world. So, speaking the same language from the onset is critical!

Foresight for Your Desires and Deadlines
In addition to acting as a translator for your design dreams, an interior designer is also the logistics manager for your renovation, taking the job of lining up the many steps needed off your shoulders.

“Troubleshooting the inevitable road bumps in a project, a good designer saves you from expensive errors and project delays, relieves the stress of decision fatigue, connects you with talented craftsmen, coordinates a project, and creates for you a beautiful, functional home,” Janelle explained.

Finishing Touches, Technically Speaking
As Janelle explains, designers select beautiful finishes, but that is only a small piece of their role.

“But many, many more hours in the design of a project are spent on the nitty gritty details of technical drawings and floor plans, selecting vendors, troubleshooting, tracking and meeting deliveries, scheduling trades, and managing installations. A designer can handle the minute details so you can focus on the fun parts, while ensuring the end product is well worth your time and investment.”

Johanna Calfee is the owner of Penny Lane Properties and Realtor with Lauren Bell Real Estate. Starting this issue, she will begin contributing regular Home content to Lynchburg Living. As the former editor of Lynchburg Living for seven years, this is welcome and familiar territory for Johanna. Welcome back!

Using less-toxic alternatives around the house

If you weren’t big on sanitizing surfaces before the COVID-19 pandemic, we can be certain you are now.

But how can we ensure that the products we’re using to help keep us from getting sick aren’t going to cause more harm than good?

Many of the legacy cleaning products found on store shelves are ones that we grew up using because maybe our parents or grandparents taught us to, but Derek Hart with Lynchburg Organic Cleaning said many of those products use harsh chemicals such as acids and ammonia.

“In Windex, the purpose of ammonia is to help liquids evaporate quickly so it doesn’t leave streaks. But it’s also really harmful to breathe,” Hart said.

The main factor that prompted Hart to start using organic cleaning products for his company was because his staff was using the cleaning products five to seven hours per day.

“If they’re going to be breathing it in that many hours per day we wanted to use something that was safe and not harmful and wouldn’t cause any breathing problems,” he said.

Of course, it’s worth noting two points: most of us aren’t spending this much time cleaning each day (or at least hopefully not) and there are circumstances where certain cleaners might be warranted. But for everyday cleaning, especially around small children, it’s never a bad idea to look for some less-toxic alternatives.

Here are a few suggestions Hart gives to help keep your home sparkling clean, while staying as “green” as possible:
Hypochlorous Acid—
This is a substance that white blood cells produce to fight off infections. It’s also an active ingredient in electrolyzed water, which is used for green cleaning and is made when electricity is used to change salt, water and vinegar into a cleaner with no harmful fumes, chemicals or residues.
One of these products you can buy is Force of Nature, Hart said.

“We use a commercial version of that since we go through so much of it, but Force of Nature is a brand that makes at-home disinfectant cleaner that you can use and it is not harmful,” he said. “We use it in every house as our main product.”

Dish Soap—
It’s not just for dishes, but can also be used for soap scum or grease and is safe because it’s typically used on eating utensils, pots and pans. Dish soap can also be used outside of the kitchen and in the shower, Hart said.

“We usually mix it with vinegar and water to create something that suds up really good,” he said. “It works really well at breaking down soap scum.”

Magic Eraser—
This is another favorite for bathroom cleaning because it is unscented and doesn’t emit harmful fumes. It also breaks down soap scum.

Squeegee—
Hart suggests using one of these on your shower doors in the bathroom after each shower to help eliminate water stains.

“A lot of times you have to use some sort of a harsher chemical to get water stains off of glass shower doors and just a lot of elbow grease and effort, but if you just add that squeegee step in, it dries off the glass shower doors after each use,” he said.

The squeegee also comes in handy while cleaning glass. It’s a myth that paper towels or newspaper does the best job, Hart said, but a squeegee is what professional glass cleaners use.

Frequency—
Don’t save deep-cleaning chores for once a month. Instead, make sure to wipe off countertops daily so you don’t have to do the heavy duty cleaning down the road.
“With the houses we clean every two weeks, typically there’s not a lot of effort that goes into cleaning their homes because we keep up with it on a regular basis,” Hart said.

He also said to clean stove tops as soon as the surface has cooled and you are finished cooking. For this task, he suggests safely using a razor blade to scrape off hardened residues.

“I would always recommend wiping that down after you’ve cooked and if you’ve spilled something because if you burned something on it, it’ll just stay there for quite a while and it’s hard to get off,” he said.

Check It Out!
The Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning is a good resource to help you figure out how your cleaning products compare to others when it comes to toxicity. Just type in your product and see what grade it gets, along with a detailed explanation. Visit: www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners.

Home needs a refresh?

Whether you are itching to sell in the new year or are contently settled in your forever home, seasoned renovators recommend tackling one of these projects in 2021.

Paint, paint and more paint.
Dig out those old gym shorts and roll up your sleeves—because the number one way to add value to your home is to paint it.

“I call it an emotional change,” says Daryl Calfee, owner of Penny Lane Properties, which specializes in renovating old houses. “It’s the hands down best return-versus-cost improvement you can make.”

Statistics show on average, just painting the exterior of a home can improve its value by five percent—that’s a large chunk of change. Painting the inside is also effective, especially for those who plan to sell their home in the new year.

“A well-chosen palette that brightens, refreshes and even smells new goes a long way with buyers,” Calfee says.

Painting is also the number one recommendation from Josh Redmond, local real estate agent who also renovates homes to sell or rent, and Owen Hurst, who has years of home renovation and woodworking experience. Since 2014, the two have partnered on more than a dozen local renovation projects.

“We use ‘Repose Gray’ for a reason. It works in any space, large or small, with any style or color,” Redmond says of their preferred paint color, adding that it is a true gray that doesn’t pull from other colors such as blue or purple.

A neutral paint color is ideal when considering a home’s resale value, which Redmond says is something he’s often asked about when homeowners are considering home renovations.

“It’s helpful to know if the time and investment you make in your home will increase the value for potential buyers down the road,” he explains. “If you enjoy the changes, and they can improve the home, that’s a win-win.”

For those with no plans moving in the near future, below are a few much brighter paint recommendations.

Update landscaping.
Another exterior update that can drastically increase the value of your home is landscaping, one of the building blocks of impeccable curb appeal.

“It’s the first thing that gives people a ‘wow’ factor within seconds of pulling up to your home,” Redmond says.

For many homeowners, a landscaping update might not be a massive overhaul—just a few loads of mulch and a sunny Saturday’s worth of work.

“Start by trimming existing bushes and plants, rake out all clippings and leaves, make sure to pull weeds and spray weed killer for the future, then put down a good landscape fabric, if you haven’t before. Finally, when all else is done, you can mulch,” says Dan Vollmer, associate broker with REMAX 1st Olympic and home project enthusiast, who adds that removing dead trees should also be a priority.

If you need to plant brand new bushes, shrubs or small trees, consider your houseʼs style and architecture—for example, if there’s not a lot of interest in the front, you would choose higher plants or shrubs. Your local nursery can help you make selections.

According to Lynchburg Living gardening contributor Ashleigh Meyer, the biggest problem for most who DIY their landscaping is planting too deep. “The root collar needs to be about two inches above the existing grade. This is right where the stem transitions into the first/highest root,” she says. “You also want to make sure the hole youʼre planting in is nice and wide so that roots spread out rather than encircle the stem.”

Change out light fixtures and/or hardware.

Older light fixtures can really date a home, says Vollmer—but new ones don’t have to break the bank or require an expensive bill.

“Shop local stores and online sites for great deals, and try to stick to the same finishes throughout,” he explains.

Along with your fixtures, consider changing out your door handles and hinges too—even faucets. “There are lots of options and styles for this,” says Cole Rice, real estate agent with Lauren Bell Real Estate. “Brushed nickel, matte black, oil-rubbed bronze, even gold—it’s coming back!”
Refinish wood floors.

They are often the “ta da” discovery of home reality shows—the moment when gorgeous hardwood floors are unearthed below faded linoleum or lime green carpet. If you have hardwoods that have seen better days, now may be the time to shift your home improvement focus down.

“Refinished wood floors are worth their weight in gold,” says Calfee. “Walking into a home with refinished wood floors immediately gives a high-end feel and the reflection of light brightens the room.”

Calfee says you can expect to pay around two to three dollars per square foot to have your floors professionally refinished or you can rent a sander and products yourself from ACE Hardware locally. Keep in mind while this is not an extremely difficult DIY project, it is time intensive and requires multiple steps to complete.

Become a master of plaster.
Before there was drywall, there was plaster—a material most likely used in homes built before the 1950s. If you have an older home, this refresh project is for you.

“Repairing plaster walls offers an organic texture and elevated value that sometimes drywall lacks,” Calfee explains. “Ceilings can and will be a pain, so covering them with drywall at times makes sense if they are too far gone to repair.”

If you want to add subtle texture and value to drywall, Calfee says use Roman Clay. It’s simply
applied with a putty knife and will give your walls a subtle marbling texture.

DIY a new backsplash.
According to Hurst, one of the best ways to make a big impact in your home is to go for a new kitchen backsplash—and to try it yourself.

“I originally taught myself how to do it years ago by watching YouTube tutorials—there are so many out there and really good ones to learn from,” he says. “If someone is willing to take on the project, they could do it in one weekend and have a big impact for a pretty low cost.”

Hurst installed a traditional white subway tile in his own kitchen when they renovated last year; he and his wife love it for the simple, classic look and how the white tile brightens their space.
It’s also the best option for beginners. Subway tile is typically very affordable and is the easiest to install in Hurst’s opinion.

Winter can be somewhat depressing for those of us who love to look out the windows and see a beautifully lush and colorful landscape. It seems as though the gardens and flowers we maintained through the warmer months have been washed in a sea of gray and brown. Not so inspiring.

But chilly doesn’t have to mean charmless.
Enter: Camellias. These evergreen queens of the winter landscape thrive in our region and add a burst of color and class to our otherwise empty garden beds. Beloved for their glossy and substantial foliage, elegant cold-season blooms and overall versatility, they really are the gem of the year-round garden.

They thrive in more acidic soils and prefer shade, making them great for filling in those difficult-to-cultivate spaces, and with so many varieties, there is a camellia for every landscape.

Camellia Types
Camellias are originally native to Southeast Asia where they’ve been a treasure of meticulous Japanese gardens for hundreds of years. Their blooms tend to come in shades of red, pink, and white with waxy evergreen foliage. In the United States, we primarily cultivate two species of camellias: Sasanquas and Japonicas. Sasanquas bloom from early to mid-season, beginning in late fall and continuing through the first part of winter.

Japonicas begin their blooming season in late winter and show off their color through the spring. Of course, each of these species has hundreds of hybrids. Planting a few carefully selected types will result in an almost year-round display of showy, eye-catching blossoms.

Basic Care
Maybe their reputation for being difficult plants to grow comes from their high-class, rose-like appearance. It’s really a myth that these shrubs are challenging, and they actually grow well with little attention as long as they are properly planted in the right spot.

While camellias can be planted in winter, it’s best to wait until spring so that they have time to take root before the cold weather comes. This is generally a good rule of thumb for anything you might want to plant.

Choose a location in your yard with a lot of shade. That’s right—these beauties are shade lovers! If you’re like me, you’re constantly on the hunt for ways to fill out those darkened spaces and camellias make excellent candidates. Like a proper Victorian lady, they need to be sheltered from the hot midday sun. Some varieties can handle more sunlight than others—so do some research before planting—but most prefer a bit of sun in the morning, then cool, dappled light throughout the afternoon. They like the consistently moist soil that shade provides, but they don’t like wet feet, so you’ll want to make sure the soil is well-drained to prevent rot and disease. Nutrient-rich, organic material with a slightly high pH is ideal.

As with most garden shrubs and trees, correct planting is absolutely vital to healthy growth and a long lifespan (camellias can live for more than a hundred years). One of the more common planting mistakes is burying the plant too deep. So dig a hole that is just deep enough to cover the root ball. It’ll need to be at least twice as wide so that the roots can spread out. If the roots encircle the ball when removed from the pot, carefully cut the encircling roots and spread them away from the root ball. Fill the hole back in with healthy organic material, and water generously. Mulching will also aid in water retention, protect the roots from extreme temperatures, and prevent weeds from overtaking the space. Just be sure to keep the mulch out of direct contact with the stem.

As your camellias continue to grow, make sure they are watered regularly.

They do not handle drought well, especially during the blooming season. Otherwise, caring for them is pretty simple. They don’t typically require fertilizing, and they only need to be pruned for aesthetic purposes. Left to their own devices, they will likely grow quickly and bloom prolifically.

Camellias in the Landscape
Because of the multitude of varieties, camellias can serve a number of purposes in the landscape. They can grow to be quite large—between six and 12 feet in height and width! However, different varieties grow to different sizes, and most can be pruned to maintain your desired aesthetic.

Thanks to their thick, appealing foliage they make
great screens. They can be used as hedges for a little privacy from your neighbors or to hide unsightly fences and foundations.

Some varieties are prone to keeping a low, sprawling profile and can make for unique and attractive ground cover.

For a more formal focal point, they can be trained and shaped as small, winter-flowering trees. They can also be used as espaliers, growing up and spreading along flat, vertical surfaces such as walls. This requires a decent amount of work, but for those who enjoy pruning and training plants, camellias are a great choice. Sasanqua varieties work best for this purpose.

When thinking about adding them to a full, year-round landscape, consider planting camellias among azaleas and rhododendron, which have similar needs and structures. They can fill in the space with color when your camellias are out of bloom. Hydrangeas make another dramatic summer-blooming companion. Of course, anything you plant with camellias will need to be shade-tolerant, but don’t worry about giving the camellias too much shade. As long as they get just a little sunshine at some point in the day, they will be fine. Use them to fill in the understory below crepe myrtles and Japanese maples. Scatter some hostas throughout and you’ll have yourself a perfect shade garden with year-round color.

The holiday season is all about nostalgia—from that ornament you can’t wait to unwrap to the highly anticipated dish your grandmother makes year after year. So, we couldn’t help but look back and reminisce here in our Home department as well. We are walking you through the Lynchburg Living holiday homes featured over the past five years. Enjoy taking a peek inside these festive abodes—and you may get a few ideas for yourself too!

2019
A Cozy, Cottage Christmas

Laura and Woody Watts purchased what they have dubbed the “Summerville Cottage” in 2014. Since then, Laura—with lots of elbow grease from Woody—has slowly transformed the 1930s home into a French-inspired cottage with Southern farmhouse charm.

The Watts love all holidays (especially Halloween, that’s their anniversary), but decorating for Christmas is also high on Laura’s list. Her main goal is to reflect the joy of the season. As she told Lynchburg Living writer Jennifer Redmond: “I want to reflect calm but Christmas spirit, too.”

What We Loved:
While we all have a special place in our hearts for the traditional red-and-green color combo, Laura anchored her holiday décor theme in an elegant duo of blush and ivory. She added visual interest with texture and layering.

What You Should Try:
Don’t be afraid to break up a collection. Laura sprinkled various nativity pieces and vintage ceramic churches, originally owned by her grandparents, throughout their home.

2018
The Christmas Elf’s Colorful Colonial

Carter Bendall’s intense interest in holiday décor dates back to her childhood, when her mother—the owner of a flower and gift shop—would take her to market in Atlanta to pick out ornaments. “From about third grade on, I did all of our Christmas decorations in our house … and I just loved it,” she told Lynchburg Living writer Charlotte Farley.

Now, not only does Carter fully decorate the home she shares with her husband Richard and daughter Lawson, she also enjoys being “The Christmas Elf” and helps others decorate their homes as well.

What You Should Try:
There is a place for tradition. You’ll notice a pause from the bright colors in the home’s den, which features a large green tree with gold accents and a nutcracker collection. Since the space is where the family spends a lot of time, it’s a more calming color palette. It’s also “where Santa comes,” Carter explained.

What We Loved:
The Bendall home is the perfect example of vintage meets modern. The bright colors—from hot pink to tangerine and everything in between—are layered onto antique furniture.

2017
Spreading Christmas Cheer

Rachel and Wayne Beeler’s sprawling Georgian Colonial on Thomas Jefferson Road is a head turner anytime of the year—but at Christmastime, the brick manor with its wall-to-wall festive décor steals the show. “I love to help other people feel happy—that’s one of the reasons that I do all of this every year,” Rachel explained to Lynchburg Living writer Charlotte Farley.

The Beelers have come a long way since their first Christmas as a married couple more than 50 years ago. They celebrated in Oregon, where Wayne was in the Air Force. Rachel recalls a small tree on a table as their only decoration but said, “the truth was that we were as happy as could be with our little tree and just being together.”

What We Loved:
The Beelers truly love to share their Christmas spirit with others. In past years, they have invited church groups or women’s clubs to tour the home. Tours concluded with refreshments in a banquet room that seats 32 people.

What You Should Try:
No room is overlooked in the Beeler house. While it’s typical to focus on decorations in the main living area, consider adding some festive touches to a bedroom or bathroom.

2016
A Dickens of a Christmas

Located on Madison Street in Lynchburg’s Garland Hill Historic District, “The Wilson House” is a glimpse into what the Christmas season may have looked like in the late 19th century. Bobbi and Randy Hurst bought the home in 2004. “We hadn’t thought of moving here until we fell in love with the house…” Bobbi told Lynchburg Living writer Heather Cravens.

While their initial focus was making the home livable (such as installing heat and air conditioning), they were eventually able to focus more on the home’s aesthetics—especially around Christmastime. Bobbi strives for period-appropriate décor as much as possible, so you won’t see the Hursts decorating before Thanksgiving, to make sure their
natural greenery won’t dry out before Christmas Day.

What We Loved:
Ribbons and bows were very popular during the Victorian era, and Bobbi makes sure they are prominent inside her historic home.

What You Should Try:
You don’t necessarily have to go all in or all out with natural greenery. Bobbi likes to add live greenery and boughs to her synthetic Christmas trees and garlands.

2015
Oh Christmas Trees!

The holiday celebration usually begins in September in the Donovan household—that’s how much time they need to unpack 97 trees, hundreds of ornaments, and much more. “I’ve always been a Christmas fanatic,” Thomas Donovan said to Lynchburg Living writer Heather Cravens. “As an adult, understanding the true meaning of Christmas has only increased my passion for it.”

Thomas is actually the main Christmas enthusiast in their home, although his wife of 14 years, Sundi, is fully supportive of his passion. In years past, they have opened their home to invitation-only tours throughout the holidays.

What We Loved:
Each of the family’s Christmas trees tells a story—including “The Watson Tree,” named after one of Thomas’s former students at Liberty Christian Academy who raised peacocks.

What You Should Try:
If you have the room for multiple trees, try flipping one upside down. This Christmas tradition, known as God’s Trinity Tree, dates back to the 12th century. (The upside down tree is also very functional in small spaces!)

Creating Your Own Holiday Arrangements
Photos by Ashlee Glen

While faux garlands certainly have their place in our modern-day homes every December, it’s nice to experiment with some natural décor to help us connect with nature—from foraged greenery to fresh florals.

We asked Heather Smith, of Fleur by Heather, to help us out with a few DIY arrangements, and she didn’t hesitate to say yes. Heather is not only an accomplished wedding florist with a delightfully undone style, but she also absolutely adores decorating for Christmas.

Before you start flipping through, take her mantra to heart: “Don’t overthink it. Just experiment with things. And have fun!”

Natural Mantel

The mantel is often the focal point of the living room, making it an ideal place to focus your time and attention during the holiday season.

Heather says first, before emptying your wallet on supplies, take a walk outside. “Forage, with permission if it’s not your property, for as much as possible. There are plenty of pine and magnolia trees around this area,” she explains.

Once you have gathered greenery, Heather recommends sorting your pine into larger and smaller cuts. Use the larger pieces for your base. “Then, start filling in and layering with smaller pieces of pine,” she says. On top of the pine, use magnolia leaves as accents to give the green base more texture and depth.

With your greenery in place, it’s time to add color and get creative. “If you are already utilizing a theme, carry it over to your mantel and accent pieces. It can be whimsical, old Christmas, or modern. Let your imagination run wild!” she says, but adds that if you truly want a natural look, items such as pine cones and berries help achieve that aesthetic. She also chose to incorporate simple white florals into the design to help break up some of the green.

Finally, the big question—how long will this natural masterpiece last? “Hardier pines, not traditional pine trees, and magnolia will last a good while without water. You can put any fresh florals into water tubes,” Heather explains. “Since those are added after your greenery is set, they’re easy to pull out, trim their ends and refill as needed.”

You Will Need:
Foraged
Pine Boughs,
Magnolia Leaves
and Pine Cones
Faux Berries
Holiday
Accent Beads
Florals
(From Local Farm
or Grocery Store)
Whimsical
Accents
Candles or Candlesticks

Floral Centerpiece

While anything goes in terms of holiday color schemes these days, Heather wanted her arrangement to follow a more classic red-and-green style with a simple design. “This is not too big and can be used on most dinner tables,” she says.

Creating your piece starts with your container. Heather chose one that is waterproof, matte black, and rectangular.

For those not particularly comfortable creating arrangements, Heather suggests using water foam (soaked overnight for a few hours) to ensure that everything stays in place. Use floral tape to secure the foam inside your container. If filling your container with water, she says remember to add a packet of floral food and change out the water every few days.

When gathering your florals, Heather says most grocery stores around the holidays carry roses, carnations or lilies that look great in Christmas arrangements. Stores will also carry filler flowers such as berries or foliage.

As with the mantel, begin by arranging your various pieces of greenery. “While doing this, I’m thinking ahead to where I may place flowers. This will determine how much greenery I’ll put in each designated section of the container,” Heather says. “Always make sure that you cut your stems at an angle, so they go into the foam easily or, if using just water, that they are able to absorb as much water as possible.”

With your greenery and florals in place, use accents such as pine cones and berries to fill in the gaps. Keep everything close knit or let your greenery spill over the sides—the arrangement style is up to you!

You Will Need:
Waterproof Container
Oasis Water Foam
Floral Tape
Holiday
Accent Beads
Florals
(From Local Farm or Grocery Store)
Foraged Pine, Magnolia
and Pine Cones

Simple Accent

Perfect for an end table, entryway table or bathroom, this smaller arrangement gives off just the right Christmas flair and could even be a fun project for older kids.

You don’t need much and the possibilities are endless. Heather used a few small cuts of pine, two flowers, some pine cones, and glass beads as accents. Use floral tape to create a grid inside the cup or container. This will help you as you arrange the different types of materials in such a small space.

One thing to keep in mind: “Be mindful of pieces that may be too tall or heavy for a smaller container,” Heather says. “You don’t want them to add unnecessary weight that would possibly cause the arrangement to tip over.”

You Will Need:
Fun Container
or Cup
Floral Tape
Holiday
Accent Beads
Florals
(From Local Farm or Grocery Store)
Foraged Pine
and Pine Cones

Thank You
We are grateful to Belong Here, local Airbnb consulting business, for letting us use one of their newest rentals for this shoot. The “Lady Anne” is a 5200-square-foot historic home located on Rivermont Avenue, and it had plenty of fireplaces for us to choose from! Learn more at belonghere.co.