The Otis garden was a long term project. Ann and Ken Otis bought the house and 5 neglected acres in 1995 and proceeded to renovate both. We spent a year clearing the property of eleagnus, honeysuckle and poison ivy, and then began the garden. David Swanson, landscape architect, designed the front foundation, fountain and formal courtyard, and we designed the rest. We wanted to carry the design of the house into the garden, so there is a French country feel to the tree, shrub and perennial borders separating the house from the other garden areas. Beyond the border are a woodland garden of native plants and exotic species, a circular patio surrounded with hydrangeas, hellebores and ferns, a large grass lawn, and a fenced vegetable garden.