My go-to books for native gardening & backyard biodiversity

All the tips and inspiration

If something I’ve shared has helped you in your garden or offered value in some way, and you’d like to contribute, you can Buy Me a Coffee.

Most newsletters, I drop in a book or two I’ve been reading, but that’s not the easiest way to find recommendations. So today, I’m putting them all in one place – books I’ve come across and loved over the last seven months of working on this garden.

I started, like a lot of people do, with a half-baked idea and an enthusiastic lack of experience. A Pinterest board full of native plant inspiration, a vague sense of direction, and absolutely no clue how to get from dream garden to actual garden.

Of course, I needed help. But, if you’re like me, a landscape designer isn’t in your budget because that money has (very sensibly) been redirected toward even more plants.

So, books. Books are how I’ve figured things out. Some for learning about the magical world of plants and the creatures that share our backyards. Some for inspiration when I needed reassurance that I wasn’t, in fact, completely ruining everything. These are the ones that have shaped how I think about gardening, biodiversity, and the tiny, wonderful worlds we create in our backyards.

If you’re looking for a little guidance, a little inspiration, I hope something here sparks an idea for you too.

This is a non-exhaustive list - one that will keep growing as I discover new books.

The Australian Native Bee Book by Tim Heard

If you want to turn your garden into a bee paradise, this is the book.

Tim Heard covers everything – how to attract native bees, how to build little bee hotels, and why these tiny pollinators are so crucial to our gardens. Filled with all the practical tips. I’ve bookmarked a native bee hotel project for my next free weekend.

Did you know we have over 2000 species of native bees in Australia? Most people don’t. I didn’t until I started gardening. And a lot of it is because they’re declining in the suburbs, and we just don’t come across them. Whether you want to start keeping stingless bees or just make your space more inviting for them, start here. Read it cover to cover, and share it with your gardening friends.

Garden Pests and Diseases and Good Bugs by Dennis Crawford

You know when you spot a mystery bug in your garden and immediately go down a three-hour Google rabbit hole? This book saves you the trouble.

Pests exist, yes, but so do the good guys, and the trick is to encourage a garden where everything finds its balance. Dennis’ approach is also refreshingly balanced: not all bugs are bad, and even the ones that are can often be managed in ways that don’t involve drenching everything in chemicals. For all the amateur veggie gardeners, I highly recommend this solid, no-nonsense guide to keep your garden thriving without losing your mind in the process.

Habitat: A Practical Guide to Creating a Wildlife-Friendly Australian Garden by AB Bishop

This is the book that will make you see your garden differently.

Laying out exactly how to create a garden to attract and support birds, bees, frogs, lizards, and all the small visitors who rely on our backyards more than we probably realise. Bishop walks you through how to design for shelter, food, water, and nesting spaces so your garden becomes a proper little ecosystem. It’s practical, encouraging, and full of real-life examples that make you want to head outside immediately and start tweaking things.

Kew, The Science of Plants

This one is for the plant nerds (so, all of us). It’s pure, unfiltered plant geekery in the best possible way.

It’s packed with fascinating insights into how plants grow, adapt, and interact with the world around them. The visuals are stunning (as you’d expect from Kew Gardens), and the writing will keep you hooked – it’s accessible, engaging, and not too science-y. I promise you will look at your garden with fresh eyes after you’re done reading. While not the main point, it also makes for a beautiful coffee table book.

The Waterwise Australian Native Garden by Angus Stewart & AB Bishop

If you live somewhere where summer turns your backyard into a frying pan (all of Australia for at least Dec-Feb), this book is essential reading.

It’s full of practical tips, smart plant choices to suit different climate zones, and brimming with beautiful native garden design inspo. If you are worried about losing your plants to heatwaves (been there), this will help you plan exactly how to create a stunning, low-maintenance garden that works with the landscape rather than fighting against it.

A Guide to the Creatures in Your Neighbourhood by Zoë Sadokierski, Andrew Burrell, Dieter Hochuli, John Martin, Thom van Dooren

This book is pure joy. Bright, beautifully illustrated, and filled with fun facts about all the little creatures that call our gardens home.

Perfect for kids, but honestly, just as delightful for adults who get excited when they spot a native bee in the veggie patch or a dragon on the compost pile (yes, it’s me). It’s a reminder that our gardens aren’t just about the plants – they’re entire little ecosystems and a whole world of biodiversity right in your backyard.

The Natural Gardener by Richard Unsworth

Making the case for embracing a wilder, more natural approach to gardening. Another reminder that working with nature – rather than against it – is the first step in rewilding and habitat gardening.

I loved the peek into the private gardens in this book, including Richard’s own one-acre bushland retreat on an island in Sydney. If you’re not a fan of the classic backyards that look a little too manicured, this is the book to help you create a native garden that lets things spill over, seed themselves, and settle into something a little more natural – and, frankly, a lot more beautiful.

The Science of Gardening by Dr. Stuart Farrimond

Have you ever had a plant fail for no apparent reason and felt personally betrayed? Same.

The Science of Gardening is a practical guide to what’s going on in your garden. It breaks down what’s actually happening in the soil, in the roots, and in the air above in a way that just makes sense. Why some plants thrive in certain conditions, how to improve your soil rather than just throwing stuff at it and hoping for the best (my approach), and what’s really going on when your plants throw a tantrum.

Field Guide to the Frogs of Australia by Michael J. Tyler & Frank Knight

If you’ve ever had a frog take up residence in your garden and wondered, who are you and what are your plans?, start here.

An excellent, practical guide that not only helps you identify Australia’s frogs but also shows you how to create frog-friendly spaces. It’s beautifully illustrated, full of fascinating little details, and will absolutely have you considering adding a frog pond to your garden. And honestly – why not? Also, more frogs = fewer mozzies.

100 Australian Butterflies, Bees, Beetles & Bugs by Georgia Angus

I love this book. Georgia makes insects feel as fascinating as they truly are, with gorgeous illustrations and just the right amount of information to make you feel like an expert without overwhelming you.

This will turn every garden trip and nature walk into an adventure – suddenly, you’re noticing things. The perfect garden companion to help you and your little ones foster a sense of wonder over our smallest backyard inhabitants.

Naturescapes: How to Create a Natural Australian Garden by Phillip Withers & AB Bishop

Naturescapes is my go-to when I need a burst of creative inspiration. Another one that emphasises working with nature, not against it.

Alongside the inspiration, it’s full of practical ideas that will help you see your backyard in a new light. There’s advice on selecting native plants that will thrive in your climate, attracting local wildlife, and creating a garden that works with the natural landscape. For those on property and bigger blocks, you’ll like this book.

Visionary by Claire Tacaks

This book will ruin you for boring gardens. Photographer Claire Takacs and landscape architect Giacomo Guzzon have put together a collection of some of the most breathtaking, boundary-pushing gardens from around the world.

Forward-thinking gardens that address sustainability and climate change, that don’t just survive in their environments, but belong to them. For the creative in all of us, it’s chock full of ideas that will make to see your garden as a living canvas.