What Sets Us Apart
Leaves for Wildlife specializes in trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers that are native to Ohio and the midwest. Located in Sunbury Ohio, our small, locally-owned nursery features dozens of uncommon and hard-to-find native plants, plus a friendly, helpful and knowledgeable team that is eager to help you create your own homegrown habitat and native plant landscape.
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Our pesticide-free plants may come with a delightful surprise for some fortunate shoppers – little stowaway caterpillars. These future butterflies and moths seldom cause any lasting harm, and their presence means the plants are already actively providing ecological services.
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We reduce, reuse, and recycle, and gratefully accept donated nursery pots, trays, milk crates, and vinyl venetian blinds.
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From One Leaf to Another
Patty Shipley, our owner and founder, blossomed into Leaves for Wildlife through a lifelong passion for nature and gardening, coupled with her career as a natural healthcare provider. The roots of Leaves for Wildlife trace back to Patty's integrative wellness practice, Leaves of Life, which motivated her to actively engage in environmental improvement as a strategy for helping to prevent and reverse human illness. Patty holds a steadfast belief in the profound and intricate connection between human health and environmental well-being.
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Why Planting Natives is Important
Native plants form the foundation of healthy ecosystems. Most of our native insects can’t digest non-native plants, and nearly all wildlife depends either directly on native plants or on the insects that feed on them. Without native plants, our songbirds, pollinators, and other creatures lose the food sources they need to survive.
Urban sprawl and development have chipped away at the natural spaces that wildlife depends on — by planting native species, we can help piece that web back together. ​Every yard, park, and roadside can make a difference.
Native plants are naturally in tune with the soils, rainfall, and weather of our region. They don’t need special treatment or extra inputs to thrive. As they grow, they help manage rainwater, enrich the soil, and create the living networks that healthy ecosystems nature and humans depend upon.
By choosing native plants and creating habitat where we live, we’re doing more than just gardening — we’re helping to protect the vibrant web of life that makes our world thrive.
METALLIC SWEAT BEE
AMERICAN LADY BUTTERFLY
EASTERN BUMBLEBEE
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Explore Sunbury
Planning a visit to Leaves for Wildlife? Turn your native plant adventure into a full-day getaway! Sunbury and its surrounding areas are brimming with delightful spots that cater to nature enthusiasts, foodies, and those seeking unique experiences. From savoring scratch-made meals to enjoying local wines and engaging in hands-on culinary classes, there's something for everyone. Don’t miss the chance to visit another fantastic native plant nursery just 20 minutes away…start at Leaves for Wildlife—and let your love of native plants and adventure lead the way!
