Study group updates May 2025 – June 2025
Study Group Highlights – June 2025
The latest Grevillea Study Group newsletter (#131) highlights the mixed impact of WA’s drought, reports on successful grafting trials, and notes cyclone damage at Hunter Botanic Gardens.
A weird group of boronias puzzled botanists for decades. Now we’ve solved the pollination mystery
a weird group of boronias has puzzled botanists for decades. They have closed flowers that thwart most insect visitors. Those that do gain entry may encounter alternating sterile and fertile anthers (the male part that produces pollen) and sometimes, an enlarged stigma (the female part that receives pollen).
The twisted gum – an Alpine Ash in New Zealand
An iconic Alpine Ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis) stands proudly in Christchurch Botanic Gardens, estimated to be over 100 years old. To preserve this majestic tree, recent conservation work has included mulching and the installation of a raised platform to reduce soil compaction caused by visitors. These efforts aim to extend the life of this beloved specimen for future generations to enjoy.
Study group updates Dec 2024 – April 2025
Recent highlights from the endangered Isopogon buxifolius, grevillea conservation efforts, success with container-grown natives, advances in grafting techniques, and hardy hakeas for diverse climates.
Native Microbes promote Conservation and Restoration of Threatened Ecological Communities
This study examines how soil inoculation using microbes from remnant Brigalow woodlands can enhance native plant growth while inhibiting invasive weed species. The findings suggest that whole-soil inoculants could be a valuable tool for restoring degraded ecosystems and managing invasive plants.
District Group 2024 Highlights
With 19 local groups around NSW, there is always a lot of regional activity – bushwalks, meetings, talks, garden visits, plant sales, bush care and propagation. Here are some highlights from 2023.
Blue Mountains adventure
The number one priority of our trip to the Blue Mountains was to hear Liz Benson’s talk about the Wollemi Pine at the Wentworth Falls History Centre. While we were there, as well as absorbing the views around the falls, we wanted to do some plant exploring on Kings Tableland, and also take a look at the location of Grevillea ‘Lawson Queen’, discovered by Pip Gibian in 1988.
Study group updates Dec 2023 – April 2024
Keep up to date with what our study groups are doing, with updates from Eremophila, Acacia, Hakea, Grevillea, Australian Plants for Containers, Fern, Goodeniaceae, Australian Food Plants study groups.
Study group updates June – November 2023
Keep up to date with what our study groups are doing, with updates from Acacia, Australian Plans for Containers, Grevillea, Eremophila, Isopogon & Petrophile, Ferns and Hakea groups.
Weekend away up north
On Saturday 27th May, eight members of the Parramatta and Hills district group congregated at the country property, ‘Parragilga’, owned by Phil Baird, one of the members. It is in an area called The Branch, north of both the Hunter and Karuah Rivers, and east of Buckets Way, the road to Gloucester.
Healthy soil, healthy garden
Soil may seem plain to the eye but it’s a complex ecosystem in itself – if it’s a healthy soil, anyway. Maintaining a diverse range of soil microbes is important for soil to remain healthy and support good plant growth. The most practical way for gardeners to keep soil and plants healthy is by adding both organic matter and inorganic fertiliser.
Study group updates December 2022 – March 2023
Keep up to date with what our study groups are doing, with updates from Pea Flowers, Acacia, Grevillea, Wallum, Ferns and Hakea groups.
Weeds come in all sizes – trees can be weeds too
The word “weed” usually brings to mind smallish plants like trad, onion weed, agapanthus and possibly cotoneaster, but trees can also be weeds!
Study group updates May – July 2022
Summaries from study group newsletters including correas, ferns, hakea, eucalyptus, grevillea and wallum and coastal heathland May – July 2022.
Study Group newsletter updates – Acacia, Eremophila, Garden design and Pea flowers
Acacia Study Group Newsletter No. 151, January 2022, Eremophila Study Group Newsletter No. 133, December 2021, Garden Design Study Group Newsletter No. 118, February 2022, Australian Pea Flower Study Group Newsletter No. 3, December 2021
Australian Plants, Spring 2021 issue
The Spring 2021 issue of Australian Plants is an un-themed issue with an eclectic range of topics.
Australian Plants, Winter 2021 – Isopogons and petrophiles
The Winter 2021 issue of Australian Plants features isopogons and petrophiles, with all the latest information.
Autumn 2021 issue of Australian Plants – Essays from WA
The Autumn 2021 issue of Australian Plants features essays on WA plants by Jim Barrow, with Eucalyptus macrocarpa on the cover.
Spring 2020 issue of Australian Plants on Eremophilas
The Spring 2020 issue of Australian Plants on eremophilas is now available.
Australian Plants: Autumn 2020 and Winter 2020 issues
Two issues of the Australian Plants journal were posted to members in August. The Autumn 2020 issue is on bushfires and the Winter 2020 marks the 250th anniversary of the Endeavour voyage and the botanical legacy of the visit to Botany Bay.
How to see the enewsletter images in your emails
Want to see all the wonderful pictures of gardens and flowers when you open emails like the APS NSW monthly enewsletter? Follow these simple steps to make sure your email system knows to Load remote content or Display external images.
Australian Flora Foundation newsletter July 2020
The Australian Flora Foundation newsletter Research Matters, No. 32, July 2020 is now available.