Our History

 

Love...

Bianca Maria Leandri married Wilhelm Schmidt just after the second world war. They
emigrated to South Africa in the 1950. Bianca always thought that Italian garden ornaments
would suit the South African climate.  It is for this reason that they started Gardens of Italy in the late
sixties.

Business in the Barracks...

Originally operating from the Germiston airport from within two army barracks. The production
operation existed with only a hand-full of people. At the time, the edge over the competition
was due to the antique finish, which was developed by Wilhelm.

An Antique World...

The antique finish is a highlight of paint brushed onto the concrete products (this technique was later copied by many rival companies).  Unfortunately due to a car accident Bianca passed away in February 1988.
Wilhelm, desperate due to the loss of his wife and not being able to cope with the workload
on his own, turned to his son Marco who then joined the company in 1988 with his wife Uli.