Nature-Garden Property,
Ladner/Delta, Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Cdn. $1,350,000.
Unique half-acre naturescaped property for sale, adjacent to the Ladner Marsh Wildlife Management Area south of the Fraser River. Ten minute walk along dyke to Ladner Village with its charming shops and artisan summer market. Plenty of recreational opportunities available for kayaking and canoeing, with walking and cycling trails nearby. A year-round mecca for birders, with Ladner often claiming top spot at the national Christmas Bird Count. Golf courses, boat launch and yacht clubs also nearby. Skiing on North Shore Mountains less than a one hour commute, and Whistler a three hour drive. Located 14 kms from Gulf Island ferries and 22 kms from YVR airport.
Slide show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il3xu1QOOQU
Our Property
The property itself is a year-round nature-lover's paradise with a dozen mature trees and over 50 smaller ones making up several garden rooms. The trees create interesting shafts of sunlight. Many songbirds make use of the layered landscape which provides food, water, shelter and places to raise young. Barred owls roost in the cedars much of the year, while bald eagles can be seen in the cottonwoods beyond. Bats are present during summer evenings, and it is dark enough to observe stars on a clear night. Anna Hummingbirds feed on winter-flowering shrubs, and have nested in the yard, as do wrens, chickadees, robins and bushtits.
The property's unusual 0.42 acre triangular shape allows for stunning long garden views. Two gurglers attract a variety of birds. Native plants are part of the extensive woodland gardens and bog garden, which are artistically and professionally designed using nature-scaping principles. Organically maintained vegetable garden comes with apple trees, a grape vine and berry bushes. Frogs are heard in the waterway which is flanked by native riparian vegetation. Taking gardened areas beyond the property line into consideration, past the sidewalk and up to the curb of the road, the maintained area comes to half an acre.
Our Home and Outbuildings:
This energy-efficient approx. 1500 sq. ft. rancher has 3 comfortable bedrooms, with the master bedroom offering an ensuite bathroom and French doors opening to a multi-level curved deck. The home features a welcoming, open and bright living/dining room, a functional kitchen with birch cabinets, and an adjacent laundry/utility room, along with one main 4-piece bathroom.
The original home is of solid construction (1957), and is insulated to an R-2000+ standard and comes with a 97% efficiency furnace, resulting in low utility costs. Renovations were based on recommendations from an energy audit. Among extensive renovations: new thermal windows with 1 ft. deep wooden sills; country-stone gas fireplace centrally located (inside wall); much wood throughout (yellow Alaska cedar and Douglas fir) and pine wainscoting in hallway; widened outside walls (extra insulation) with cedar board & batten siding; new roof in 2011 with plywood underlay.
Much attention has been paid to detail with artistic/natural touches throughout, creating a Gulf Island ambience. The picture windows invite the gardens to become part of the inside living space. The house is naturally cooled in summer and feels cottage-cozy in the winter. The insulated clean crawl space comes with a sump. A covered back deck of earthen tiles runs along the back of the house, and showcases a woven wall with planter visible from the kitchen window.
Work from home in a 600 sq. ft. building which features a cozy 340 sq. ft. office/studio with 6" insulated walls and wooden ceiling with rafters for a cabin-feel. Triple panel patio doors open to stone patio with a wonderful view on one of the garden rooms. The other half of the building features a 260 sq. ft. workshop with workbench and storage shelves.
Another 100 sq. ft. hobby/cabin outbuilding, nestled among Western red cedars beside the curved deck, features a loft, skylights and windows, and is insulated with electrical service.
Plenty of covered storage space with two sheds and extended overhang storage for kayaks/canoes. Large composting bins in operation.
Surrounding Area:
Delta is Metro Vancouver's green heart and offers numerous natural attractions. It is situated at the end of the Fraser delta and enjoys a mild maritime climate with significantly less rainfall compared to adjacent municipalities.
The village of Ladner is surrounded by diked farmland within B.C.'s Agricultural Land Reserve, next to marshes with islands such as Westham Island (Reifel Bird Sanctuary), and a major preserved bog (Burns Bog). The entire river delta with its foreshores and uplands with farmland is a globally important stop-over for migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway. In fact, it is known as Canada’s #1 Most Important Bird Area (IBA). See: http://www.ibacanada.ca/site.jsp?siteID=BC017 .
Along Boundary Bay, snowy owls can be seen most winters, while tens of thousands of snow geese from Wrangle Island (Russia) over-winter in the delta. The area is also known for raptors, from barn owls to harriers, hawks and bald eagles. The web-site of the Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust offers more insight into the many birds of our region: www.deltafarmland.ca .
The Delta Naturalists’ Society has created a brochure on Delta Birds which can be found on its website: http://www.bcnature.ca/clubs-and-notices/regions/lower-mainland/delta-naturalists-society/ .
Have a look at this slideshow of Ladner's surroundings, our home and (mostly) the gardens throughout the seasons as this will provide an extensive overview of this park-like nature-garden property: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il3xu1QOOQU
What we are looking for . . .
. . . are folks who love nature and gardening and who will enjoy and continue to steward this special place, which has not only be home to our family, but also to a large number of creatures. The extensive gardens do require work, but of all garden styles, naturescaping is relatively low maintenance. If desired, naturescape garden services and/or coaching can be provided free of charge for the first year. Living on this property, close-up to nature, is a fascinating, ever-changing experience.
Because of set-backs and its unusual shape, the property is difficult to sub-divide, in which case some of the landbase would be lost to the municipality. There may be a possibility for a coach house over time (check with Delta). A second storey can be added to the main house which is of solid construction.
The 300 feet long sidewalk host many types of pedestrians and passers-by frequently compliment on the extensive gardens which intrigue many. People detour to see what's new in the gardens, as do nature photographers.
This is nature at your doorstep, while being close to all the attractions big city life offers: the best of both worlds!
CONTACT
For more information on this landmark property featuring a "cottage in the woods" with separate studio, 30 km south from downtown Vancouver, please contact:
Gardens by Nature Landscape Services
gardensbynaturels@gmail.com
Front view:
Living room with fireplace:
Bog garden:
Winter view:
Bird's eye view:
Floor plan:
Ladner, Delta BC: (Google map)
Property:
Plant Collections:
Relatively low-maintenance for the size of the gardens due to the application of naturescape principles, which feature
Gardens by Nature Landscape Services
gardensbynaturels@gmail.com
Brackets of handkerchief tree:
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EcoProperty ID: 17725 Date posted to EcoProperty.ca: Apr 5 2018