The Natural Garden - Xanthe White

The garden design bible, refreshed for the modern obsession.

For those who treat dirt like doctrine and seedlings like dependents, Xanthe White’s The Natural Garden is the essential text. This revised and refreshed edition of her bestselling guide is a deep dive into the philosophy of nurturing a respectful, sustainable relationship with the natural world—one that prioritises the planet as much as the aesthetic.

Xanthe shares her signature style through the lens of a true insider, showing how her design philosophy can be applied to almost any environment. Whether you’re tending to a coastal wind-tunnel, a productive kitchen patch, native bush, or even a curated collection of indoor plants in a city apartment, this book speaks your language. It’s expert, warm, and updated to reflect the modern rituals of urban and community gardening.

Lavishly illustrated with inspiring photography, hand-drawn plans, and updated plant recommendations, it’s arguably the next best thing to having Xanthe herself drop by your place for a consultation. From composting advice to masterclass-level design tips, it’s 320 pages of pure garden devotion.

ISBN: 9781776950584

About the Author

Xanthe White is the lead designer of her namesake studio with nearly three decades of global landscape experience under her belt. President of the Garden Design Society and a true luminary of the horticultural world, Xanthe has spent years communicating the art of gardening through books, television, and international masterclasses. She lives in Auckland, where she continues to champion the contemporary, natural garden.