Creating Native Plant Gardens

October 18, 2018

October 18, 2018

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.

? Audrey Hepburn

?Restoring native plant habitat is vital to preserving biodiversity. By creating a native plant garden, each patch of habitat becomes part of a collective effort to nurture and sustain the living landscape for birds and other animals. (https://www.audubon.org/content/why-native-plants-matte)

We have such great resources for native plant gardening in our area (see resources below for a list). But, why native plants? These are plants that occur naturally in a certain region. So, if you don’t have a green thumb, this may be the way to go as these plants are uniquely situated for the land. Since they have evolved to their unique spaces, fertilizers, pesticide and other chemical are not necessary to help them thrive. They simply should thrive on their own. Native plants help climate combat change by preserving water and supporting pollinators. They are also an important resource for local fauna. Audubon explains it best: “research by the entomologist Doug Tallamy has shown that native oak trees support over 500 species of caterpillars whereas ginkgos, a commonly planted landscape tree from Asia, host only 5 species of caterpillars. When it takes over 6,000 caterpillars to raise one brood of chickadees, that is a significant difference.” And, you can’t go wrong with their impressive variety of showy flowers and greenery.

Some of our favorites include:

American Beautyberry

Butterfly Weed

Venus Fly Trap

Here’s where you can find more information on native plants for our NC piedmont. Visit to purchase your very own!

North Carolina Botanical Garden (Chapel Hill) http://ncbg.unc.edu/

Plus a link to an extensive list of nurseries provided by the botanical garden http://ncbg.unc.edu/recommended-sources-of-native-plants/

Niche Gardens (Chapel Hill area) http://www.nichegardens.com/

Cover photo....Pollinator Paradise Garden (early summer) (Photo: Debbie Roos)

I have nothing but raves about Katie and Steve. Some years ago I contemplated selling my home in Fearrington, and they were there for me. Though their help was much appreciated, they didn't rush me when my health improved and I decided to wait. Several years later, they were there again to help ––this time in every conceivable way with from their professional and wise advice to their physical presence. No matter the need , what unforseen cirumstance, they came. The entire process of selling to closing was taken care of by them. Also, with their help my house sold in record time (for me). Over the years I have recommended them to friends and family and would not hesitate for a moment to give them the highest recommendation again and again!

Renee - Pittsboro

I was a nervous and excited first-time home buyer. Steve and Katie were great listeners, and really helped me hone down what were the important elements in a home for me. They presented a variety of choices in home possibilities that emphasized the strong points in my desire, while being sensitive and realistic within my budget. I always felt they were honest in presenting the strengths and challenges of each home we visited. They guided me through the negotiations, keeping me calm and giving great advice in a novel and somewhat intimidating process. I ended up with a beautiful home I love dearly. I have recommended them to any friends I have had looking to purchase or sell their home, and will use their services again when I am next in the market.

First Time Buyer - Pittsboro

It feels like there's a realtor on every corner these days. It's overwhelming to figure out which is the best for you! We were struggling with how to choose one when we met Steve. He was holding an open house for a property he was listing. We were just starting our search and had popped in to check it out. I knew he was the right guy for us when he said, "THIS isn't the right house for you. Check out these neighborhoods." And then proceeded to suggest neighborhoods we already knew we liked. He wasn't looking to make the sale; he was looking to make the RIGHT sale. He had clearly listened to what we wanted and was trying to meet our needs. He was our guy! Over the next six months he helped us find, negotiate for, and update our perfect home. We couldn't be happier! Plus he "knows a guy" for everything you could need!

Aimee

You can't go wrong hiring Katie and Steve! They listed our Chapel Hill home in March 2017. However, their work started long before that. Before we listed they provided us with professional staging advice and made recommendations on possible changes we might make. The photos taken for the listing showed our house in the best possible light. They are professional, knowledgeable, friendly and calm. They kept us informed every step of the way. I couldn't have asked for more personal and helpful service.

T & K Harris

We just celebrated 1 year at (our home) and wanted to send a very belated "thank you" for everything you did for us last spring and summer. We are so happy here--we love our house, we had a great year at (school), and we've made some wonderful friends in the neighborhood. Moving was such a difficult decision for us (and for you to suffer through) but we definitely landed in the right place, and we wouldn't be here if not for your hard work, guidance and patience. Thanks again.

Amy & Brian

Hiring Katie and Steve was the best decision we could have made selling our home. The services they provided started well before the house hit the market and continued until the after the final financial details were settled. They provided professional staging advice, amazing photos for the listing and sound advice, as well as some personal labor, along the way. You can't go wrong hiring this dedicated, professional, honest, reliable and personable pair!

Teresa - Chapel Hill

Don't look any further...GO WITH KATIE AND STEVE!!!! I had a rather complicated issue: selling a house with an ex-husband. All was not always rosy, but Katie and Steve handled it all with aplomb. They were gracious, considerate, helpful and headed potential difficulties off at the pass. I had not been looking forward to what I considered to be an ordeal with the ex, but Steve & Katie smoothed the way. They are fun, knowledgeable and respectful. I also was attempting to buy a house with their help and was about to go for it when it was highly recommended that I get a radon test, given their knowledge of when radon could be a problem. I chose to follow their advice and radon, at a significant level, was discovered. Had I not been working with them, I would never have spent the extra bucks for this test, but it the end, it saved me not only future dollars, but the health of my family. I will be eternally grateful for their insight and expertise. I recommend Steve & Katie without hesitation and with much respect.

Patricia - Hillsborough

Katie and Steve were amazing. Not only did they help us understand what improvements would and would not help us sell our house and saved our budget, they helped us with the pictures and descriptions that would sell our house quickly. With three small kids and already living in our new house, we didn't have much time for running back and forth to meet with contractors, painters, etc. Katie and Steve were so wonderful and helpful. They really listened and understood our lives and made selling our house so much less work than I thought it would be. Their straight talk and kindness are only overshadowed by their availability and the professionalism in the services they provide.

Buyer & Seller in Durham

Katie and Steve are the best realtors I have ever encountered. Having just sold a house in NY, I have been acquainted with many and none have come close regarding their knowledge of the area and their business savvy. They are genuine, good listeners and used my time efficiently. They respected my priorities and garnered my trust. I offer them the highest recommendation and encourage perspective buyers to work with them: you will not get better.

Deb Solomon

Katie and Steve were such pleasure to work with and made buying our first home an enjoyable experience. My wife and I had been looking to buy a house for about one year prior to meeting Katie and Steve, and we could not really find what we were looking for in a home. Katie and Steve introduced us to multiple locations in Chapel Hill that we were unaware of. They were both willing to not only show us several homes in a single day, but were willing to cater to difficult schedule times for both myself and my wife, and also return to see the same home on multiple occasions. They have a great knowledge of the market in the area, and know what to look for when inspecting and evaluating value in a home. They provided us with great advice during the negotiation process and were always giving us honest and trustworthy opinions. My wife and I will rely on their services when buying and selling our home in the future, and have referred our friends to them for real estate services.

C & K Caulfield - Chapel Hill

I'd like to express my appreciation to Katie Taylor and her husband, Steve Brauer. Katie, who was my primary agent, spent a great deal of time to understand my needs, identifying my "must haves" and what my "nice to haves" were. She was constantly on the lookout, previewing houses, sending me messages to let me know when she found one that she knew I'd want to come see, setting up time for me to see houses based on my having to fly in to NC, and making herself available whenever I could be in town. Even after I bought the house, they have been there helping me with questions I had on how to get various things accomplished and identifying service people to use, since I am renovating my new house. Steve has even come over and helped me hook my washing machine back up. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a real estate agent.

Martha - Pittsboro

October 18, 2018 October 18, 2018

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