Bedford -- River Hills

River Hills is on a 22-acre property in Bedford, New York, overlooking the Mianus River Gorge Preserve. The 1790 Dutch Colonial house sits atop a hillside overlooking historic stone walls, distant meadows and craggy granite slopes formed by the receding glaciers below. The property restoration has been integrated with the house renovation over the past decade, with Leslie Needham as the designer. The terraces and gardens are designed to descend and meander through levels with dining terraces, gardens, and seating areas. The stone walls and steps lead from the highest porch through garden plantings, a fruit orchard, and woodland trail walk. The garden planting areas are limited to sections closest to the house, with outlying areas kept as meadows, woodland walks, and native wetlands. While not manicured, these outer areas are monitored with mowing schedules and consistent removal of invasive species. Other features include a swimming pool, a greenhouse, outdoor furniture adorned with lichen, antique zinc and aged stone as garden pots, and a small barn built in 2020 made of stone and reclaimed Ash trees from the property. The property was named "River Hills" in the early 1930's by a local neighbor, Charlie Finch, who when looking out at the view, reportedly said: "There's mighty fine fishing in them River Hills." The garden file includes extensive plant lists and a wildflower garden map.

Persons associated with the garden's design: Leslie Needham (designer, 2001- ).