From the deserts to the sea, the flora of South Australia is as unique and beautiful as its varied landscapes.
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
- 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 […]
Hi everyone, just a couple of updates, mainly to make a change to our trip to Pangarinda.
Unfortunately, I placed that excursion on the wrong date; it will actually be on Saturday, the 6th of June, rather than the 7th, which falls on our gathering day at the shed.
The gathering at the shed is most important, so I hope all COOTS members can attend.
This probably changes the plans for a lot of people, and for that I am sorry, but I have spent a few days in hospital (again), so I have not been able to organise things for members as I would have hoped.
Anyway, my plan is to meet in the Tailem Bend carpark (adjacent to the Railway Station) at 12.00 noon. There is a bakery up the road.
What to bring: lunch if you aren't buying, something to drink, a hat, sunscreen, and good shoes.
Most importantly, a camera. Should be lots in flower.
Hope to see you there.
Jeff Reid. ... See MoreSee Less
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Message from the COOTS conservation group.
Our next Propagation Workshop will now run from June 13th to July 18th.
This will be Growers group 17.
As always, it will be held at 21A Richards Terrace, Goodwood, and will begin at 12 noon every Saturday for six days.
There is no cost for this valuable six (6) consecutive Saturday course; all I ask is for a gold coin towards coffee and cake.
What I need now are participants.
If this appeals to you, please email me at [email protected] to register your interest in the course.
I need around 10 to make it a comfortable group. Group 15 filled in two days, so see if we can better that. Those who missed the last session can now apply for this round.
The course looks closely at how to grow Australian Native Plants, and my intention is to look in detail at how best to do that, whether by seed or cuttings.
There will be a field day amongst the courses, and a couple of very experienced speakers speaking on their particular subject.
Don't miss out on this opportunity, where your possibilities are quite extensive.
Many of the earlier participants have taken on roles in the COOTS group, and I look forward to many more enthusiastic people joining them to make this progressive conservation group grow in the coming years.
See if you can join the COOTS propagation workshops, and join this fun experience.
Once the course is completed, there will be ample opportunity to bring your seedlings back to the shed to pot them on into larger pots ready to plant out, or sell to the general public.
Jeff Reid. ... See MoreSee Less
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Message from the COOTS Group.
Look at me, I have done it again.
I want to apologise once again for putting out dates for the next three propagation workshops, and they were incorrect (me again), so below are the right dates.
If I have inconvenienced anyone, I really am sorry.
Please adjust your calendars accordingly.
Propagation workshops, and there are three for this year 2026.
Will now be from June 13th to July 18th.
Then from 15th August to 19th of September
Finally, the 31st of October through to the 5th of December.
Now we wish to have a pot washing day, what about the 30th of May for everyone?
Pat even suggested an additional pot washing day while I am holding a propagation workshop.
Anyway, I really want to get as many of you out and see so much more than just what we do in the shed, so here are a couple of excursions to consider..
A visit to the Pangarinda Arboretum is a must, and I am suggesting the 7th of June. How does that suit everyone?
I also want to go for a walk in Belair National Park and visit the Belair State Flora. How about the 14th of June?
Finally, for now, a planting day at the block? What about Sunday, July 5th?
Easy planting as it is sandy country, and I intend to spend around three hours planting, then followed by lunch at the Palmer Pub.... great food.
As for a COOTS meeting, to discuss the plant sale, etc., we could do it on Saturday, the 6th of June, at the shed.
Pat, as discussed, please get all the volunteers to come along as well if they happen to be available.
I don't have a propagation workshop on that Saturday, so it doesn't clash.
These are all tentative dates, which means if dates don't suit everyone, we can easily change them, and don't forget we still have our projects, which everyone can attend.
Jeff. ... See MoreSee Less
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An article by the COOTS Group.
COOTS Group 16 has all made it. The sixth and final Saturday is coming up, and it will be a day of reflection, I expect.
If any of you have any germination, I would be very interested in what has grown and what has not.
I also have some trays of seedlings that I want pricked out and potted up as well.
You can decide what you want to do with those plants; you can take some home and plant them out, or give some away to friends. Most could go out into our shadehouse and be sold at our next gathering.
There will also be a talk on native orchids, which will be of great interest to all.
Now, also, Pat Eason, our membership officer, will be in attendance and will bring some membership forms.
I urge you all to consider joining the COOTS group and be a part of our little family. Only costs you ten dollars, and you get all the benefits of being in the APS Society.
Finally, I wanted to thank you all for coming along to Glenthorne Farm last week. It turned out to be a great day, many thanks to Alan for sharing all his knowledge about the project.
Weeds were removed, some planting was done, and even the local magpies benefited from having some vantage points installed.
Images attached, supplied by Anne Davies.
Now I want to take this opportunity to advise everyone on the dates of the next three (3) propagation workshops, so if anyone wishes to attend, they are able to book in advance.
These are the dates:
May 23rd to June 27th.
July 25th to August 29th.
September 26th to October 31st.
Regards, Jeff Reid. ... See MoreSee Less
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The list of plants our growers have told us they are brining to the sale is now availalble.
You can find it on our website: australianplantssa.asn.au/ ... See MoreSee Less
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