As homeowners or wannabe homeowners, we’re always looking at ways to save a few dollars here and there.

Did you know the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers up to 25 per cent back on the CMHC mortgage loan insurance premium when you purchase a green home or make energy-saving improvements to an already existing home?

And that’s a good thing because not only do you save on your insurance but you also end up saving in the long run with lower energy bills. In Canada, running our homes is an expensive proposition, accounting for more than 16 per cent of the total energy consumed. Not only are energy-efficient homes comfier and healthier, they also serve to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the cost of running your home. Depending on the level of energy efficiency achieved, you could be entitled to a premium refund of either 15 or 25 per cent.

Most new homes qualify for the top refund as they’re generally built under a CMHC-eligible, green building standard. All other homes are assessed using the NRCan EnerGuide Rating System (ERS).

If you are purchasing a condo know that units built to the LEED Canada New Construction standard automatically qualify for a 15 per cent refund. If the building is designed to be either 20 per cent more energy efficient than compliance with the applicable building code, you may be eligible for a 15 per cent refund. If the building is 40 per cent more efficient, you could get a 25 per cent refund.

If you decide to buy and renovate your home, it must be assessed by a Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) qualified energy advisor prior to and after your green home improvements are made. The partial premium refund is based on the level of energy efficiency achieved.

Applications must be submitted within 24 months of the closing date of the mortgage and the supporting energy efficiency documentation must be no more than five years old. NRCan is introducing updates to the EnerGuide rating scale.

For details about the program, including a list of eligible building standards and specifics on the required EnerGuide rating, check out CMHC’s website at www.cmhc.ca/greenhome.

Source: www.cmhc.ca

If you think having a yard that attracts feathered friends is for the birds, this blog is definitely not for you. If, however, fluttery, colourful birds sound like something you’d enjoy watching as you relax outside in your hammock, please do read on.

It doesn’t hurt to garden with wildlife in mind. Cultivating a bird-friendly yard and garden is not just welcoming for feathered friends but also inviting for bees, butterflies and other creatures.

There are certain plants and trees that attract birds to your garden more than others. For trees, consider planting mountain ash, birch or crab apple. As birds love to nibble on berries, grow female holly, wintergreen and Spartan juniper. Since seeds are also a big part of their diet, try planting sunflower and ornamental grasses, which provide seeds during harsh winter weather. Vines such as Boston ivy and Virginia creeper and small shrubs such as honeysuckle and sumac are also great for catching the attention of our flying friends.

Summertime is a good time to feed birds as you can enjoy a close-up view of your favourite species. If finches are your thing, consider wild finch mixture or Niger seed. Blue jays, cardinals and chickadees love sunflower seeds.

There are many bird feeders with which to feed feathered friends. Try placing nuts and seeds in attractive wood feeders or pole-mounted and hanging feeders. If squirrels pillage your yard and gardens of any and all edibles, you may need to consider bird feeders that are squirrel proof.

Like most living creatures, birds require water to survive as much as they need food. If you do not live near a natural body of water don’t fret as there are solutions that will keep your birds hydrated and happy. Use a bird bath, fountain or small water garden.  Try to place it in an area that gets some shade. Be sure to change the water often to avoid the development of harmful bacteria.

A bird house is a good investment if you want to attract birds. There are many styles and shapes to choose from so do your homework and decide which one suits your needs. Place the bird house in a tree out of harm’s way of predators and not facing prevailing winds and rain.

Many native plants attract songbirds. Black-eyed susan, foxglove, wild bergamot and New England aster will attract songbirds and help you create a singing garden.

Hummingbirds are an added treat in your garden and, as an extra bonus, they like to consume aphids, spiders and other small bugs.  Plant trumpet vine, honeysuckle, morning glory, petunia, bee balm, bellflower and lavender to attract them. They love the colour red so consider using red ribbon or décor. Place your feeders near the flowers you want them to be attracted to. Clean your feeder every two to three days in hot weather and refill with fresh nectar.

Sources: www.sheridannurseries.com, www.yourleaf.org, www.ofnc.ca

One of the rewards of summer is the kaleidoscope  of colours that sprout up on lawns, porches and balconies, in garden beds, window boxes and containers all across the city.

But what if you happen to live in an exposure that doesn’t get much sunlight? Or your flower beds receive a lot of shade from a neighbouring building or towering trees? Whatever the reason, you can still enjoy the bounty and colourful beauty of summer, but you need to plan for it.

Here’s how you can pretty up your space without a lot of help from the sun:

The path

A pretty stone or gravel path is a great way to deal with a shaded spot. Not only does it suggest a sense of direction and movement, but it also adds colour and texture to your space.

Chuck the grass

Since super green and lush lawns require sunshine you may want to consider replacing grass with an attractive shade-tolerant ground cover such as Bugleweed, Bugbane and Vinca. The other consideration might be to transform the area into an attractive focal point, using mulch or stone as a ground cover.

Play up texture

Nothing is more dreary and dull than a garden filled with the same colour or shapes. Mix up your leaf and flower shapes, their colours and textures to create added visual  interest.

Boost the cozy factor

The days of grass and a few daisies as the only outdoor ornamentation are over. Today we celebrate and live in our outdoors with zeal so look for art and architecture you can display outside, conversation spots such as a welcoming park bench with cushions and calming water features.  You may not have to look too far for pretty outdoor decorations. Repurpose that old wine barrel into a funky counter-height table or  dress up a pretty old window to use as architectural appeal.

Flower power

Who can resist pretty pinks, blues and yellows? Those that do well in low light include Periwinkle and Mountain Laurel.  Some of the best perennial plants and flowers are Columbine, Hostas, Bellflower, Astilbe, Forget-me-nots, Christmas Rose and Lily-of-the-valley. As for shade-loving annuals, why not try Begonias, Sweet Alyssum and Fuscia.

Vines

Virginia Creeper is perfect as its blue-black berries attract birds in the fall. Other outstanding vines that do well in shade include climbing Hydrangea, Boston Ivy and Clematis.

According to Toronto garden writer Marjorie Harris, it’s best to use native woodlanders in your garden as insects need them to surivive. She suggests starting your shade garden with a selection of ferns, hostas and hellebores. All shade-loving plants need well-drained soil with humus in the topsoil. Check out her Toronto shade garden.

Sources: www.bhg.com, www.gardendesign.com, www.sheridannurseries.com