This rural private residence is comprised of a main house, guest cottage, a caretaker's cottage and two separate garages. Pastoral gardens and lawns overlook the River Raquette in Potsdam, New York. A J Miller Landscape Architecture worked in collaboration with Grater Architects of Clayton, New York on this project. Our client expressed interest in birds, insects and wildlife. His love of wildlife helped us select plant materials to create a landscape which promotes ‘outdoor living’. Our design encourages this by using water and native plant materials that are particularly attractive to wildlife. The plant and hardscape palette conveys a seamless transition from the house to the gardens. Large lawn areas have been converted into wild flower meadows, flower gardens and fruit gardens; the remaining lawn areas are mowed infrequently. The main terrace has a granite boulder fountain--water bubbles out through the top and disappears into river washed pebbles. Trees, shrubs, and plants surround the water feature, a favorite spot for birds to drink and bathe. The removal of selected trees and shrubs enhanced the view to the river, creating a ‘vignette’ from the patio.