In this episode, I’m joined by the legendary Elsa Pooley, one of the co-authors of the stunning new coffee table book, South African Indigenous Garden Plants – The Gardener’s Guide.

This fascinating episode was recorded outdoors in Pennington, on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, with a beautiful soundtrack of local bird songs in the background. While recording on location comes with a few audio challenges, it adds an authentic touch that makes this conversation all the more special.

If you're a birder wanting to bring more birds into your garden—no matter how big or small—this episode is packed with practical, experience-based advice. Elsa shares tips on what to plant, how to create a garden that works in harmony with nature, and how indigenous gardening can support biodiversity.

We also dive into Elsa’s incredible journey—from her early years in the heart of Zululand to her deep-rooted connection with the KwaZulu-Natal landscape. You’ll get a glimpse of the passion and knowledge that went into creating this beautiful book—and why it’s a must-have for every South African birder and gardener.

Visit our online store to get your birding related merchandise at great prices https://www.thebirdinglife.com/online-store

Intro and outro music by Tony ZA https://soundcloud.com/tonyofficialza

Links from show:

Order your copy of South African Indigenous Garden Plants – The Gardener’s Guide from our online store