Simply Gardens by Paolo.

Simply Gardens by Paolo. My name is Paolo Contrasti, I've been gardening in Italy and the UK for over 30 years.

As I often do, I go for a slug and snail patrol in my garden before going to bed.And last night I spotted this young new...
21/06/2026

As I often do, I go for a slug and snail patrol in my garden before going to bed.
And last night I spotted this young newt, resting on a Astrantia major next to the pond😃

One of my favourite trees, looking great at the moment Cornus kousa, this one at the Lord Haldon hotel is growing in sem...
21/06/2026

One of my favourite trees, looking great at the moment Cornus kousa, this one at the Lord Haldon hotel is growing in semi shade , and it is maturing nicely.
Have it in my garden as well, bought from the same place this came from; I planted it in full sun and the result is the same.
Great tree.

In the long border in one of the garden I visit there is this lovely Buddleia globosa, with lots of orange pon pon flowe...
21/06/2026

In the long border in one of the garden I visit there is this lovely Buddleia globosa, with lots of orange pon pon flowers , and absolute magnet for bees.
When finished flowering I will give it a prune, to encourage fresh growth, which will bear the flower next summer.

Well, it is that time of the year again, when some hedges and shrubs need their first clip So, after having checked for...
21/06/2026

Well, it is that time of the year again, when some hedges and shrubs need their first clip
So, after having checked for any bird activity, on Tuesday I set out to clip this quite imposing Laurel hedge in Farway.
Always happy when finished, as it looks nice and crisp and makes a nice foil to the planting by the gate, with clipped Pittosporum. Sarcococca and a few perennials: Gaura, Sedum, Verbena and Galega officinalis that offer colour through the summer months.

02/06/2026

This morning I took a short video of the herb garden in Farway.
Everything is growing well, and all the small Roman Chamomilles I planted last Tuesday have benefited from the rain we have had in the last couple of days.

Sorry I haven't been posting anything for a few weeks on my page, but have been extremely busy. This morning w...
29/05/2026

Sorry I haven't been posting anything for a few weeks on my page, but have been extremely busy.
This morning when I got to this garden near Exeter, I was greeted by the most amazing abundance of blooms from the various roses.
The Malvern Hills rambler , that I drastically pruned back in late winter 2025, has grown back strongly and has put on a stunning show.

Primula Millers Crimson, a lovely addition to my pond at home. Bought it on Saturday at Toby' s Garden festival.
04/05/2026

Primula Millers Crimson, a lovely addition to my pond at home. Bought it on Saturday at Toby' s Garden festival.

My sister sent me a couple of pictures from Italy. It's a climbing rose that my grandad planted for my mum, well can't r...
03/05/2026

My sister sent me a couple of pictures from Italy. It's a climbing rose that my grandad planted for my mum, well can't remember exactly when, but it was sometime in the mid eighties .
It has single red flowers with a yellow centre and every February when I go there, I give it it's annual prune.
Remember kicking the football on it quite often while playing with my brother in the courtyard, and my mum was never very happy about it😁

I would say it's looking great and going strong for being around 40 years old.

03/05/2026

As today is International Dawn Chorus day, I woke up at 5:30 and went for a little walk.

I am training this Camelia as a cloud pruned specimen for a costumer in Ottery. Camelia 'Les Jury' , fabulous plant with...
03/05/2026

I am training this Camelia as a cloud pruned specimen for a costumer in Ottery.
Camelia 'Les Jury' , fabulous plant with bronze new leaves.

Address

Ivybridge

Opening Hours

9am - 5pm

Telephone

+447812438190

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Simply Gardens by Paolo. posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category