From the deserts to the sea, the flora of South Australia is as unique and beautiful as its varied landscapes.
Australian Native Plants Society (Australia) Conference
Amazing Arid Australia
Mparntwe Alice Springs 24-28 August 2026
About Us
The Regional Society – Australian Plants Society (SA Region) Inc.
The Australian Plants Society SA Region (APSSA) is a community based, non-profit group of people who share an interest in Australian native plants.
Our aims are –
- To encourage the cultivation and study of Australian plants.
- To promote the establishment of gardens in all types of soil and climates for the preservation of Australian flora.
- To pass on our knowledge as widely as possible.
- To support or initiate efforts to protect Australian plants and their habitats.
The society, originally named the Society for Growing Australian Plants (SGAP), was created in 1958, shortly after similar bodies were formed interstate.
Our Vision is
To encourage appreciation of the beauty of native plants, and see native plants valued, cultivated and protected.
To apply our appreciation and practical knowledge of native plants to encourage and assist people and communities to recognise the aesthetic and physical benefits of natural environments.
To combat loss of biodiversity in local environments.
Our Vision
The National Association – Australian Native Plants Society (Australia)
 The ANPS(A) is the national association of the various state-based societies. The origin of ANPS(A) dates back to the early 1950s. The idea of a Society that is dedicated to the cultivation of Australian plants was proposed by Arthur Swaby who, for several years from May 1954, wrote a column “Know Your Natives” in the popular gardening magazine “Your Garden“.
As a result of Swaby’s initiative, the first regional Society was established in 1957 in Victoria. The idea was quickly taken up in other parts of Australia to form the separate independent Regional Societies which are now based in each Australian State and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
The national association was formed in 1962 to foster the interchange of ideas and information throughout Australia and to coordinate issues extending beyond regional boundaries. Prior to December 2008, the organisation’s name was the Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants (ASGAP). The name was changed to better reflect the wider interests of member societies, which extend beyond cultivation of Australian native plants. ANPSA is an administrative body and does not have individuals as members. Individual membership is available through the State based Regional Societies.
(Based on an excerpt from the ANPSA website)
Society Newsletters
- July 30, 2026 APSSA Newsletter number 5, August 2026
- May 31, 2026 APSSA Newsletter
- May 3, 2026 Revised APSSA Newsletter
- May 3, 2026 APSSA Newsletter
- February 4, 2026 APSSA Newsletter
- October 31, 2025 APSSA Newsletter
- September 5, 2025 APSSA Newsletter
- July 30, 2025 APSSA Newsletter
Society Updates
Local Groups
Adelaide Group
Our members come from the Adelaide metropolitan area and from the nearby Adelaide Hills. Our aims are to investigate, propagate […]
Northern Yorke Peninsula Group
For Gardeners, non gardeners, enthusiasts or anyone on NYP with an interest in the conservation, propagation, planting and promotion of Australian plants. […]
Fleurieu Group
Our members come from the Lower Fleurieu Peninsula including Goolwa, Victor Harbor and surrounding areas. We meet monthly on visits […]
COOTS Group (Conservation of our Threatened Species)
Conservation is possibly the most important part of the Australian Plants Society. We are actively involved in several conservation initiatives. In one […]
Eastern Eyre Peninsula Group
The Eastern Eyre Group is currently in recess.
Brinkworth Group
Meetings at Brinkworth Hall Supper Room unless indicated otherwise
Gawler and Barossa Group
The Gawler and Barossa Districts Group meets at 7:30pm on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Lyndoch Institute […]
Acacia acinacea is looking good this year. ... See MoreSee Less
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Message from the COOTS group.
Just a reminder that group 18 will begin on Saturday, the 31st of October, and run to 5th December, and so far only a small number of participants have indicated that they wish to do it, so if you want to have your name included, you'd better send me an email as soon as possible.
I had to cancel the date in August as there were too few numbers apply for the course.
I would like to see a full house, to finish the year off nicely.
The workshop for the Orchid Society filled quickly, and I suspect many of those doing that course may wish to do the six-week propagation workshop as well, so do think about it.
Held at 21A Richards Terrace in Goodwood, starting at 12 noon and running through to around 3.00 pm. It is a six-week course on consecutive Saturdays, which includes a field day.
It is good to remind everyone that this course is free, and even though it is intended to draw new faces into the APS, it also opens up a whole new world for participants, allowing them to grow and better understand our beautiful Australian native plants.
So please take advantage of this opportunity and sign up for it.
Regards, Jeff Reid. ... See MoreSee Less
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A second reminder from the COOTS Group.
I have only a couple of applications for this special workshop on orchids, which also falls short of the minimum of 10 or 12 participants.
Please take note
The 10th of October 2026 is going to be a very special workshop, which once again costs you nothing, and will be held at the same venue where we hold our popular propagation workshops.
That is at 21A Richards Terrace in Goodwood.
The session starts at 12.00 noon and will last for around three hours.
This workshop is very different to our propagation workshops, which have been focused on the various ways of growing Australian native plants. This workshop is on the specialised subject of growing Australian native terrestrial Orchids, and really only those who are genuinely interested should register their interest, as it can get very involved.
The ultimate aim is to get those who are serious about this subject to work with the native orchid society (NOSSA) growing terrestrial orchids.
Contact me, Jeff Reid, at the email [email protected] to register your interest.
This workshop will depend on the amount of interest that is shown in the subject. ... See MoreSee Less
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A second reminder from the COOTS Group.
I have only a couple of applications for our next two propagation workshops, which falls short of the minimum of 10 or 12 participants.
The next session begins on the 15th of August. Can you consider if this is something that you may like to do?
A big reminder to everyone: there are two propagation workshops left in 2026, and now is the time to book the one that suits you.
The next workshop will be from 15th August to 19th September.
The last for this year will be from 31st October to 5th December.
Now remember that these workshops cost you nothing, and they are held over six weeks at 21A Richards Terrace in Goodwood, starting at 12.00 noon and going through to around 3-3.30 pm.
We have had 17 actual workshops now, and over 130 participants have attended, which has been very successful.
The course is over six consecutive weeks, and is done by Samantha Rayson and me, plus several very knowledgeable presenters, finishing off with an actual field day where you put into practice what you have learned.
Check your calendars, and if one of those sets of dates suits you, please consider booking your spot and learn how to propagate Australian native plants.
I would love to see at least 10 to 12 per group, so please email me at [email protected] if you need more information or to book your spot.
Jeff Reid ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
A message from the COOTS Group.
The 10th of October 2026 is going to be a very special workshop, which once again costs you nothing, and will be held at the same venue where we hold our popular propagation workshops.
That is at 21A Richards Terrace in Goodwood.
The session starts at 12.00 noon and will last for around three hours.
This workshop is very different to our propagation workshops, which have been focused on the various ways of growing Australian native plants. This workshop is on the specialised subject of growing Australian native terrestrial Orchids, and really only those who are genuinely interested should register their interest, as it can get very involved.
The ultimate aim is to get those who are serious about this subject to work with the native orchid society (NOSSA) growing terrestrial orchids.
Contact me, Jeff Reid, at [email protected] to register your interest.
This workshop will depend on the amount of interest that is shown in the subject.
Jeff Reid. ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Message from the COOTS Group.
A big reminder to everyone: there are two propagation workshops left in 2026, and now is the time to book the one that suits you.
The next workshop will be from 15th August to 19th September.
The last for this year will be from 31st October to 5th December.
Now remember that these workshops cost you nothing, and they are held over six weeks at 21A Richards Terrace in Goodwood, starting at 12.00 noon and going through to around 3-3.30 pm.
We have had 17 actual workshops now, and over 130 participants have attended, which has been very successful.
The course is over six consecutive weeks, and is done by Samantha Rayson and me, plus several very knowledgeable presenters, finishing off with an actual field day where you put into practice what you have learned.
Check your calendars, and if one of those sets of dates suits you, please consider booking your spot and learn how to propagate Australian native plants.
I would love to see at least 10 to 12 per group, so please email me at [email protected] if you need more information or to book your spot.
Regards Jeff Reid. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook