TENUTA SAN GIUSEPPE
Spello (2009- )

                                  
                             

Design: Peter Curzon
Anne Hanley

  
                                                       
           
                   
         
                   
         
         
           
On the plain below the lovely Umbrian hill town of Spello, this former silkworm factory recently became the headquarters of the Editoriale Campi publishing house. Campi's Almanacco di Barbanera (www.barbanera.it) – an annual handbook, originally for farmers but nowadays a fount of folk-wisdom for all – will celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2012, by which time a garden reflecting the simple, productive spirit of Barbanera will have been created.
    
     
  SPRING-SUMMER 2010        
     
 


In spring and summer 2010, work began on planting the hedges around the property, including some high stretches of Quercus ilex (holm oak) to screen the garden and house from neighbours and from the road and railway line.

   In the old orchard, olive trees (Olea europaea Leccino) were planted here and there, in the gaps which had opened up over time between the fruit trees.

 
           
 
  WINTER 2010    
   
       


In December 2010, the box (Buxus sempervirens) hedges which edge the themed gardens around the existing pergola were planted, along with the standard pomegranates (Punica granatum) which form the backbone of the south-west garden.

   Two antique marble fountains were mounted on concrete bases in the pomegranate and hydrangea gardens.

  
   
  JANUARY 2011    


In January, with the sap no longer running in the lime trees, our tree expert Giovanni Bonomi could get to work repairing the havoc wreaked by decades of  neglect.

   His method involves tacking nylon netting over holes which have been well cleaned and disinfected with a strong copper solution, then painting this with a latex paste to keep water out.

    
   
 
   
 
In the themed gardens around the old pergola, the formal planting beds began to take shape.		  
 
                 
  SPRING 2011  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

On the north side of the building, almost 100 mulberry trees were planted, in the garden and car park, and along the entrance drive. Work got under way on the vegetable garden.
 

The pergola garden – now known as the Giardino delle Quattro Stagioni
(Four Seasons garden) – was completed and planted.
    
   
  SUMMER 2011  
   
               
   
   
   
   
   


The carpark, situated above an underground storage area, was finally finished and ready for planting towards the end of the summer.

    
   

Entrance into the Editoriale
Campi headquarters from the carpark will be through the huge
orto (vegetable garden) which took shape over the summer.
               
     
                   
  AUTUMN 2011  
   
 
 

 

With the first public events pending at the new offices and reception spaces at San Giuseppe, it was a rush through the autumn to get the garden into a more-or-less presentable state. The weather was kind to us, and we were able to seed lawns well into October.

 
 
     
 
 
   
On the south side of the main building, work began on the area which had served as a makeshift carpark until the formal carpark was completed. A small parking area – to be concealed with plants – was created for the owners' cars. The original lime entrance avenue was restored, though this will only be used in exceptional circumstances. And planting was carried out in front of the small building which will house the Fondazione Barbanera.
  
   
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