New England charm

A large new addition to Olinger's client's hillside home took up most of the usable space in the downward-sloping rear yard, seen here in this "before" shot. Her first design solution was to tier the steep, wooded hill so that a patio could be installed.

The same space, seen in an "after" shot. The client wanted a "cottage-style" garden, which the shady rear yard would not accommodate. However, the client also wanted a pond and cascading waterfall, which the sloping property would easily accommodate,

Because the front yard was not only flat, but very sunny (seen here in the "before" shot), Olinger suggested putting the desired cottage garden here instead.

She designed it using mostly deer-resistant plants, because that area was not fenced. A black lattice fence and gate (seen below) now separate the front from the rear yard, with deer fencing enclosing the rear garden area.

Olinger designed the side yard as a tiered woodland garden, where a bluestone walkway leads visitors from the driveway gate, gradually stepping down to the patio seating area. Removing as few of the mature trees as possible, a 4-ft. retaining wall was constructed to level an area wide enough for plantings and a walkway, connecting the patio seating area to the existing deck and additional garden area on the opposite side of the house.