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About Batello Garden Design
Founded in 2008, Batello Garden Design is a well-established garden design and landscaping practice, rooted in horticulture, planting design, and practical experience. Over the years, Batello has designed and delivered hundreds of gardens across North Somerset, Somerset, Bristol, and Bath.
Today, the practice is evolving; focussing on the plant-led garden design and soft landscaping specialism, led by Paul Cantello. The focus is on gardens shaped by planting, seasonality, and long-term thinking, rather than construction-heavy solutions. In 2011, Paul was awarded an RHS Silver-Gilt medal for a show garden, recognising excellence in planting design and horticultural detail. Since then Paul has continued to have a passion for planting and shares his love of plants throughout his work.
Batello works closely with clients to create gardens that are thoughtful, balanced, and realistic to maintain. Services include planting-led garden design, soft landscaping, garden coaching and stewardship, personal plant sourcing, and—more recently—the development of a small specialist micro-nursery.
Kevin Bale continues to collaborate with Batello on selected small landscaping projects, supporting the delivery of planting-focused schemes where required.
Rather than delivering one-off transformations, Batello supports gardens as they grow and mature—helping clients make confident decisions and create spaces that improve year on year.
Whether you’re rethinking an existing garden or developing a new one, Batello Garden Design offers a thoughtful, experienced, and considered approach, focused on plants, place, and longevity.
Paul Cantello
Paul Cantello is a co-founder of Batello Garden Design and has spent his career working with plants, gardens and landscapes in a practical, hands-on way.
Trained in Landscape Architecture and Garden Design to degree level, Paul is a qualified horticulturist with experience across domestic gardens, commercial landscapes and long-term garden care. His approach is rooted in sound horticulture, strong planting knowledge and an understanding of how gardens evolve over time.
Earlier in his career, Paul worked in botanical gardens in New Zealand, gaining valuable experience with diverse plant collections, climate-responsive planting and large-scale garden management. He later worked at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Romsey, further developing his knowledge of trees, plants and seasonal stewardship. During this period, he also established Batello Garden Maintenance, caring for and developing Batello-designed gardens over many years.
Today, Paul leads Batello as a smaller, plant-focused practice, concentrating on planting-led garden design, soft landscaping, garden coaching and ongoing garden stewardship rather than construction-heavy projects. Alongside this, he helps at Elmsley Nursery, keeping his plant knowledge current, practical and grounded in everyday growing.
We asked Paul what he most enjoys about his role.
'I feel very fortunate to be involved in the project right from start of the creative process, seeing my plans being built and the planting schemes taking shape. Finally I get to see a finished garden and a happy customer.'
Kevin Bale
Kevin Bale is co-founder of Batello Garden Design, launching the practice alongside Paul Cantello in 2008. In the early years, Kevin played a key role on site and behind the scenes, helping establish Batello’s reputation for delivering high-quality, well-crafted outdoor spaces.
Over time, Kevin’s focus has remained rooted in practical landscape construction. Drawing on a strong background in landscaping and project coordination, he brings extensive hands-on knowledge and experience to the projects he undertakes.
Earlier in his career, Kevin worked on notable garden projects across London and the surrounding counties with the multi-award-winning landscaping company The Outdoor Room. He has also contributed his practical expertise to the television programme Love Your Garden, supporting the delivery of high-profile garden builds.
Today, Kevin works independently as a landscape contractor and collaborates with Batello on carefully selected small-scale projects, particularly where thoughtful construction supports and enhances the planting design.
Alongside his professional work, Kevin is an avid runner, competing locally and nationally in a wide range of races. When he’s not working, he’s usually running.
We asked Kevin to share what he loves about his role.
'I love the flexibility and variety of work that the role brings and seeing the completed gardens at the end for the client to enjoy.'