Our story
In 2013 the contemporary artist James P. Graham and his wife Maura commissioned landscaper Stuart Barfoot to design a garden on their newly acquired property; a granary built in 1850 and part of a large estate on the borders of Umbria and Lazio 5 minutes from the lake of Bolsena and the famous 'Francigena' pilgrimage route (hence the name La Pellegrina). Foundations for the gardens were the 400-year-old oak trees, a highly fertile volcanic soil, and an ancient Etruscan necropolis.
Now, 10 years later, there are over 600 different species within 4 different gardens, as well as a wildflower meadow, an apothecary's garden, and a 'nectar' garden specially designed for pollinators. The rich biodiversity also supports a special breeding project for queen bees which Maura has set up to combat the severe population loss in the area, as well as providing honey.
Stuart Barfoot designed the garden for year-round interest with a diverse planting that becomes wilder as one moves away from the house. There are several distinct areas, each having its own identity, but all connected with meandering pathways and a core narrative of simple naturalistic planting, structural elements, and local materials. An ecosystem has been fostered through habitat creation with areas planted and managed to enable birds, insects, and other animals to thrive. Particular attention has been given to soil and plant health exclusively using biodynamic, permaculture and innovative natural techniques such as electromagnetism, effective micro-organisms (EM), wormcasts, a wonderful home-made compost.
Owning land carries with it the responsibility for preservation, and after 10 years of hard work and investment, James and Maura's vision to create a place of reinvigoration and rejuvenation for the whole circular spectrum of nature is starting to be realised.
