Wild by Design: Naturalistic Gardening for Modern Australian Landscapes
by Tim Pilgrim

In Wild By Design, Tim Pilgrim shares the joys of naturalistic gardening - an approach inspired by the dynamic beauty of untamed plants, the garden as wildlife habitat, the rhythm of the seasons, our future climate and the visual rewards of relaxing our need for control.

With stunning photography by Martina Gemmola, Wild by Design presents the creative inspiration, information and tools you'll need to create your own plant-driven naturalistic garden, whether you're starting with an existing garden or a blank slate. Tim considers soil, materials, composition, propagation and maintenance, and provides a detailed pictorial guide to his 100 most trusted and useful plants for naturalistic compositions.

More than a how-to guide, though, Wild by Design is a deep reflection on the naturalistic movement in an Australian context, capturing the change, texture, climate, looseness and light that make Australian naturalistic gardens unique in the world. It's a book for ambitious home gardeners both urban and rural, as well as professional landscape designers exploring new philosophies of gardening, and anyone who finds joy in gardens.

“An essential book for anyone exploring the wilder side of gardening.” - Paul Bangay, Landscape Designer

“Wild by Design contains some of the most succinct and disarmingly insightful definitions of naturalistic gardening that I’ve read anywhere.” - Michael McCoy, The Gardenist

AUTHOR INFORMATION

Based on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Central Victoria, Tim Pilgrim is renowned for his naturalistic gardens. With almost two decades of experience, Tim has developed a distinct style that blends the traditional and the modern. His formal horticultural training provides a strong foundation in hands-on skills, and a deep understanding of how plantings work in the real world. He is known for his emphasis on sustainable, considered plantings that are suited to local climates, and his plant selections are highly regarded.

In his garden designs, Tim draws on the work of contemporary innovators and their ethereal styles. The outcome is a much sought-after naturalistic aesthetic, applied to the Australian landscape. A true plantsman, Tim uses his exceptional plant knowledge and natural eye to create immersive planting design.

ISBN: 9781761500411
Format: Hardback
Pages: 320
Publisher: Murdoch Books
Published: 02/09/2025