Australian Native Plants Society

The Australian Native Plants Society (Australia), commonly known as ANPSA, is a federation of seven state- and territory-based member societies whose members share an interest in Australia's native flora. Its work spans horticulture, plant propagation, botanical education, conservation and public advocacy. The federation connects specialist and general-interest groups rather than operating as a conventional commercial brand, and its activities are delivered largely through regional societies, local groups, publications, plant sales, meetings and national events. The organisation originated in 1957 as the Society for Growing Australian Plants (SGAP). Its early purpose was practical and horticultural: members sought to encourage the establishment and breeding of Australian native plants for gardens, parks and farms, while improving public and amateur knowledge of the country's flora. By 1958, active regional societies had been established in six states and the Australian Capital Territory. A federal association, initially known as the Australian Society for Growing Australian Plants or ASGAP, was formed in 1962. The society's constituency has historically included professional botanists, horticulturists, specialist growers and enthusiastic home gardeners. Over time, its scope broadened from cultivation and amenity planting toward the conservation of native flora and advocacy for its protection. Regional bodies have developed their own relationships with public agencies and conservation organisations. The Wildflower Society of Western Australia, for example, has been noted for liaison with government bodies, while the New South Wales organisation is associated with the Nature Conservation Council of NSW. The national association adopted the name Australian Native Plants Society (Australia) in 2008. The seven member bodies are the Australian Plants Society Victoria, Australian Plants Society NSW, Australian Plants Society Tasmania, Australian Plants Society South Australia, Australian Native Plants Society Canberra Region, Society for Growing Australian Plants Queensland, and the Wildflower Society of Western Australia. Combined membership is reported at approximately 9,000 people, with most members resident in Australia and additional members in Europe and the United States. ANPSA holds a national conference every two years for members of the regional societies. Local organisations also commonly arrange talks, excursions, propagation activities, plant displays and plant sales. Rare or difficult-to-source Australian plants are often offered through regional sales, generally held in spring and autumn. These activities support both the practical cultivation of native plants and the broader appreciation of Australian biodiversity. The society has also contributed to the circulation of botanical and horticultural knowledge. Its national journal, Australian Plants, has been published quarterly since 1959, alongside regional newsletters and the separate online publication Australian Plants Online. Members have written or supported major works on Australian genera, regional floras, plant identification, propagation and tropical or dry-country gardening. The organisation's influence therefore extends beyond membership activities into the documentation and popularisation of Australian native plants.

The organisation began in 1957 as the Society for Growing Australian Plants. It was created by people who wanted to promote the establishment and breeding of Australian native plants for gardens, parks and farms. The founding movement combined practical horticultural interests with an emerging desire to make Australia's distinctive flora more widely understood and used. Unlike a commercial nursery or a single botanical institution, the society developed as a member-led network connecting amateur growers, horticulturists and botanists. Within a year of its creation, active regional societies existed in six Australian states and the Australian Capital Territory. This regional structure became central to the organisation's identity, allowing members to study plants suited to local climates and ecosystems while participating in a national movement. The federal association, known as the Australian Society for Growing Australian Plants or ASGAP, was established in 1962 to coordinate the state and territory bodies. During its earlier decades, the society concentrated strongly on cultivation, propagation and the use of native plants in home gardens, public amenities and farms. Its publications and regional activities helped growers identify species, exchange horticultural knowledge and obtain plants that were not commonly available through mainstream nurseries. Plant sales, local meetings, field trips and newsletters created a practical support network for people interested in growing Australian flora. The organisation's focus gradually expanded. Conservation became increasingly important as members confronted habitat loss, declining populations and the need to protect native species in their natural environments. Regional societies began engaging more actively with government agencies and conservation organisations. The Western Australian Wildflower Society became particularly active in dealings with government bodies, while the New South Wales society became associated with the Nature Conservation Council of NSW. This evolution did not replace the horticultural purpose of the movement; rather, it linked responsible cultivation with the protection and public understanding of native ecosystems. The society also developed a substantial publishing and educational record. Australian Plants, its national quarterly journal, has circulated since 1959, with regional newsletters providing more local material. The journal has covered plant descriptions, cultivation, propagation, field observations and regional gardening. Bill Payne edited it from its inception until 2001. The publication is complemented by Australian Plants Online, a separate online publication whose content is distinct from the print journal. Members and affiliated regional bodies have contributed to or supported a wide range of reference works. These include books on banksias and grevilleas, encyclopedic guides to Australian plants suitable for cultivation, regional field guides and works on gardening in tropical, dry and coastal environments. Individuals associated with the movement include botanists and horticulturists such as Alex George, John Wrigley, Rodger Elliot, Angus Stewart and Ivan Holliday. In 2008, the national association changed its name to the Australian Native Plants Society (Australia). The federation currently represents seven regional organisations: Australian Plants Society Victoria, Australian Plants Society NSW, Australian Plants Society Tasmania, Australian Plants Society South Australia, Australian Native Plants Society Canberra Region, Society for Growing Australian Plants Queensland, and the Wildflower Society of Western Australia. Their combined membership is approximately 9,000, with most members in Australia and a smaller international presence. The federation's national conference is held biennially. Regional bodies continue to organise educational events, plant sales and activities for growers and conservation-minded members. Through this combination of a national network and locally adapted societies, ANPSA remains both a horticultural association and a vehicle for public engagement with Australian botanical diversity.

• 2008

  National federation renamed

  [1]Australian Native Plants Societyen.wikipedia.org

  The national association adopted the name Australian Native Plants Society (Australia).

• 1962

  Federal association formed

  [1]Australian Native Plants Societyen.wikipedia.org

  The Australian Society for Growing Australian Plants, commonly known as ASGAP, was formed to represent and coordinate the regional societies.

• 1959

  Australian Plants journal begins national distribution

  [1]Australian Native Plants Societyen.wikipedia.org

  The quarterly Australian Plants journal began providing national horticultural and botanical information for members and readers.

• 1958

  Regional societies expand across Australia

  [1]Australian Native Plants Societyen.wikipedia.org

  Active regional societies had been formed in six states and the Australian Capital Territory.

• 1957

  Society for Growing Australian Plants established

  [1]Australian Native Plants Societyen.wikipedia.org

  The organisation was founded to encourage the establishment and breeding of Australian native plants for gardens, parks and farms.

A national member federation linking Australian native-plant enthusiasts, horticultural specialists and conservation advocates through regional societies, education, publications and practical cultivation activities.

• Journal · 1959

  Australian Plants

  Australian Plants is the society's long-running national quarterly journal, first distributed nationally in 1959. It has carried material on native-plant identification, cultivation, propagation, horticultural use and regional flora. Regional societies also produce their own newsletters. The journal is complemented by Australian Plants Online, which is a separate publication with different content. Historical issues have also been available through library and microform collections.

• Member event

  Biennial national conference

  ANPSA's national conference is held every two years for members of the affiliated state and territory societies. It provides a national forum for talks, knowledge exchange and discussion of Australian native plants, horticulture and conservation. Specific conference locations and programmes vary by edition.

• Native plant retail and fundraising activity

  Regional plant sales

  Affiliated regional societies commonly hold plant sales, typically in spring and autumn. These events can provide access to rare or hard-to-find Australian native plants while supporting local society activities and encouraging cultivation of species suited to Australian conditions.

• 2008

  Adoption of the Australian Native Plants Society nameStrategy

  Background

  The federation had developed from a movement primarily identified with growing Australian plants into an organisation with a broader role in conservation, advocacy, education and horticulture.

  Action taken

  The national association changed its name to the Australian Native Plants Society (Australia).

  Aftermath

  The new name positioned the federation around the wider study, cultivation and conservation of Australian native flora while the affiliated regional societies retained a mixture of Australian Plants Society, SGAP and Wildflower Society names.

  Source

1. 1Australian Native Plants Societyen.wikipedia.org