Gardens for wildlife

Gardens for Wildlife is a free program that helps residents develop wildlife friendly habitat in their gardens.

You can book a garden visit, learn more about indigenous plants and invasive plant species, or use our garden guides below for practical tips to use in your garden at home.

Garden visits

Our Gardens for Wildlife officer can provide customised advice on creating habitat and attracting native animals to your garden. You can book a garden visit or provide details about your garden for an online assessment.

Invasive plant species (weeds)

Learn the difference between environmental and noxious weeds, and view our lists of common weeds found in the City of Kingston.

Original vegetation communities

Vegetation communities are groups of indigenous plants that share a common environment. Planting a variety of species from your vegetation community will increase habitat and bring wildlife to your garden.

Garden guides

Read our how-to wildlife garden guides below which cover a range of topics including how to plant and maintain your garden, creating habitat gardens, attracting wildlife and more.

You can also download a copy of the Gardens for Wildlife booklet or Indigenous Plant Guide.

Attracting butterflies to your garden

Butterflies are a beautiful visitor to any garden. Learn habitat tips for attracting butterflies to your garden.

Attracting frogs to your garden

There are two options for attracting frogs to your garden: building a frog pond, or frog hide-away. Learn more about these habitat options for attracting frogs to your garden.

Attracting honeyeaters to your garden

Honeyeaters are very active birds that need a rich supply of nectar
and pollen-producing flowers. Learn habitat tips for attracting honeyeaters to your garden.

Attracting insect pollinators to your garden

A wide range of insects, as well as some birds, bats and other mammals are important plant pollinators. Learn habitat tips for attracting insects to your garden.

Attracting large birds and owls to your garden

Most large birds are meat-eaters that feed on small mammals, lizards and large insects. Learn habitat tips for attracting large birds like Magpies, Kookaburras and owls to your garden.

Attracting lizards and skinks to your garden

Learn habitat tips for attracting lizards, geckos and skinks to your garden.

Attracting parrots to your garden

Parrots feed on a wide variety of plants. Learn habitat tips for attracting parrots, including Rainbow Lorikeets, Rosellas and Cockatoos to your garden.

Attracting small birds to your garden

The majority of small birds are insect-eaters and are great natural pest controllers. Learn habitat tips for attracting small birds to your garden.

Attracting small mammals to your garden

Small mammals most likely to visit your garden include possums, gliders, and microbats. Learn habitat tips for attracting these small mammals to your garden.

How to create a habitat garden

By increasing habitat in our gardens we can create important stepping-stones for wildlife to thrive. Whether you have a large established garden or a small balcony, there are elements you can add to create shelter for native wildlife.

How to make a native insect hotel

Native wildlife needs to find shelter from bad weather and predators to survive. Insect hotels provide shelter and nesting sites for insect pollinators and will help to attract insects like native bees to your garden.

How to plant and maintain your garden

Learn how to choose plants best suited to your garden, how to plant, mulch and prune your garden, and view our natural pest control methods for reducing pest problems.

Indigenous plants

Indigenous plants are native plants that occur naturally in an area. Learn about the benefits of growing local plants, download our Indigenous plant guide, and view list of local Indigenous Nurseries.

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