Our Story

Our Story

Daniel Thurlow, founder of Ladybird Fruit Tree Nursery

From Passionate Gardeners to Australia’s Trusted Fruit Tree Experts

Welcome to Ladybird Fruit Tree Nursery! We’re Daniel and Coco, a husband-and-wife team deeply rooted in our love for gardening, sustainability, and community. Over the years, Ladybird has grown from a backyard experiment into one of Australia’s most trusted sources for premium fruit trees.

A Foundation of Expertise

Daniel, the founder of Ladybird Nursery, is a passionate horticulturist from Brisbane. With years of hands-on experience and professional training in plant cultivation, soil science, and sustainable gardening practices, Daniel has dedicated the last 10 years of his life to mastering the art of growing fruit trees and helping others do the same.

Inspired by Tradition and Innovation

Our story begins in Lingshan, Southern China, where Coco’s aunt transformed her rooftop into a lush urban paradise. Her vibrant garden, brimming with tropical fruit and vegetables, not only provided sustenance but also nurtured a deeper connection to nature. Inspired by this harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, we brought this vision back to Brisbane and began creating our own thriving garden.

Growing in Brisbane’s Unique Conditions

Brisbane’s subtropical climate presents its own challenges, with our baking hot summers and compacted clay soils. With Daniel’s horticultural expertise, we experimented, adapted, and refined our gardening methods to ensure success in even the toughest conditions. The result was a flourishing backyard food forest style garden, which quickly became the talk of the neighborhood and the foundation for what would eventually become Ladybird Fruit Tree Nursery.

The Birth of Ladybird Fruit Tree Nursery

In 2015, we decided to turn our passion into a business. Ladybird Fruit Tree Nursery was born, named after our first home on Ladybird Street. From humble beginnings, we’ve grown into a thriving nursery that ships high-quality fruit trees and plants across Australia, employs a team of 15 skilled professionals, and serves as a hub for gardening enthusiasts to connect, learn, and grow.

Sharing Knowledge and Building a Community

Education is at the heart of everything we do. From workshops and gardening competitions to personalized advice, we empower our customers with the knowledge they need to succeed. Daniel’s background as a horticulturist and teacher has enabled us to share expert advice tailored to Brisbane’s unique growing conditions, ensuring that even novice gardeners can enjoy the fruits of their labor—literally!

Overcoming Challenges Together

Running a nursery is not without its challenges, from competing with large retailers to managing tricky conditions. But every challenge has been an opportunity to learn, grow, and develop solutions we’re proud to share with our customers. Our team of horticultural experts works tirelessly to ensure that every plant we ship is nurtured with the utmost care, giving you the best chance of success in your garden.

Why Choose Ladybird?

At Ladybird, we don’t just sell plants—we build relationships. Our commitment to quality, sustainability, and customer service sets us apart. Whether you’re starting your first backyard orchard or expanding an established garden, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Join Our Growing Community

Your stories and successes inspire us every day. We’re proud to be part of your gardening journey, and your support helps us continue to innovate and grow. Share your experiences, ask questions, and let us know how your new fruit trees are thriving—we’re open 7 days and here to help.

Happy Gardening,
Daniel, Coco, and the Team at Ladybird Fruit Tree Nursery