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 […]
Message from the COOTS group.
Hi everyone, something that I have been asked to pass on, and I am happy to do it, because it is something that the COOTS group is very passionate about, and for years, this project has been very poorly attended, so I am hoping we may be able to change that.
Gerard Wallace is the Southern Projects Officer, and Samantha Rayson is his offsider, and both of them want to see a renewed interest in people wanting to see and be involved in that amazing project.
I say that because I have been involved in Lands End for close to 40 years now, and even though I still intend to be involved, it is getting harder and harder for me, so out of the large group of Propagation Workshop participants (130 of them now), surely we can find a consistent group of enthusiastic volunteers, who can assist Gerard and Samantha in that valuable work that they do down there.
I am only able to attend on the Sunday, but I am always willing to take one or two others down there with me, so don't hesitate to ask, because I know it would be appreciated if there is a good group, willing to participate in future working bees.
The next one is over the weekend of the 26th, 27th and 28th of June.
Sadly, because of my recent hospital stay last month, I missed out on my trip to Pine Point, but it is my intention to go this month. So how many others wish to join me?
Come for a weekend, or just a few hours on Sunday, as I do, and it would be so rewarding for everyone involved.
Jeff Reid. ... See MoreSee Less
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Message from the COOTS group.
Just a reminder that group 17 is about to begin on Saturday, the 13th of June. This time around, there are only a small number of participants, so if you want your name included, you'd better send me an email as soon as possible.
I will only do a couple more workshops from now on, as the interest is beginning to wane a bit.
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, by being able to grow and understand more about our beautiful Australian native plants.
So please do take advantage of this opportunity and put your name down.
Jeff Reid. ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Message from the COOTS group.
Sunday, the 14th of June, is a special day, and even though it falls on the same day that the Adelaide Group is visiting the Pangarinda Botanic Gardens, it will still be an interesting-filled day in any case.
If you think that you won't get to see Pangarinda, don't worry, I will head down there in July/August. I missed out on going as well, and I want pictures, so I need to go.
As for the 14th, it is a visit to State Flora, as I need a couple of Banksias to plant up on my block on planting day, so it's an opportunity to pick some up.
So for those who want to come along, meet at the State Flora carpark at 11.00 am, wander around the plants, maybe buy one or two, then we head to a nice patch of native vegetation in the park and spend some time learning about all the plants that we find.
I will bring "It's Blue With Five Petals" so that we can identify what we see (if possible).
Hoping to find a nice patch that has flowering plants, and maybe an Orchid or two.
See if you can join me.
Jeff. ... See MoreSee Less
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Message from the COOTS Group.
Hi all, another change, and the reason for that is that I was going to take a group to Pangarinda, but since then, the Adelaide Group organised a trip to the same place a week later, so rather than doubling up, it is better these days to do the one trip and go as one group.
Below are all the directions if you wish to go.
Please reply with your contact phone number in case of cancellation or changes
If you intend to join APS Adelaide Group on an excursion to Pangarinda Botanic Gardens of native plants on June 14th, starting at 10.30am.
Kaye Bartlett is kindly showing us around the gardens.
Fine to bring friends along. There are toilets in the garden.
Pangarinda Botanic Gardens is in Wellington East by the River Murray. Directions below.
Optional:- After the gardens, we are invited back to Kaye and Paul Bartlett’s property at 1851 Jervois Rd. for coffee/tea, their gardens of native plants, including the original Grevillea Winpara Gem! and other interesting collections. Jervois Rd is on the west side of the river over the ferry. Travel north towards Murray Bridge for number 1851, Jervois Rd.
Take lunch to eat at Bartlett’s or in the gardens, or lunch at Wellington Hotel, which is on the west side of Murray on the way to Bartlett’s.
To get to Pangarinda:-
Either 1) On the S.E. Freeway, drive past Murray Bridge, go over the Swanport Bridge to Tailem Bend. Continue about 10 km south from Tailem Bend on the Meningie road, not the Dukes Highway, to a right turn to the Wellington ferry.
Along the road to the ferry, take a right turn onto Pangarinda Road. Meet at the Pangarinda Gardens entrance, on the right up Pangarinda Rd. Park near the entrance gate.
or 2) If coming via Strathalbyn, take the free Wellington ferry from west to east. Driving from the ferry, Pangarinda Rd. is on the left. Entrance is on Pangarinda Rd. on the right side. Park at the entrance, then walk on the paths. Kaye is meeting us there at 10.30am and guiding us around.
Regards,
Jean
Mobile 0403 438 466
Please don't go on June 6; that date is now cancelled. ... See MoreSee Less
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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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... See MoreSee Less
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