


Feeding Nature While Feeding Your Soul!
About Us
Down Nature's Path is a small backyard plant nursery that grows almost entirely native plants. Our focus being plants that are primarily for butterfly and pollinator gardens. They are chemical free. If you are looking for caterpillar host plants, nectar plants or pollinator plants, we are happy to help you!
-Native plants and wildlife, especially insects, have evolved together over thousands of years. They have formed symbiotic relationships. So many of them, especially caterpillars, rely of specific host plants to live. That means if you want a specific butterfly, moth, bee in your garden, you will most likely need to grow a specific plant for it. For example, most people know that to have monarchs, you MUST have milkweeds. It is the ONLY plant that the caterpillars can eat. You can't have the butterfly without the caterpillars.
-Native plants provide food and shelter for wildlife in all seasons.
-Native plants are generally easier to grow and cheaper to maintain. Once you get your plant established and if you plant according to that plant's needs, you do not need to amend the soil. Native plants are already accustomed to your local soils and weather. They need little to no pruning, deadheading, watering or fertilizing, save your time and money! Think of all that extra time you have to photograph your flowers and learn about the cool insects you are seeing!
-Native plants need no chemicals, you WANT insects on them, using them, eating them. The insects are not going to destroy plants that they need to survive. No wasted money on poisons!
A plant is considered native if it has occurred naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat without human introduction.
Unfortunately, over the years they were replaced by exotic plants from other countries. While the non-natives might be beautiful, they are unable to support our wildlife.
If these plants are native,
why do I need to buy
them?
Are you saying I shouldn't
have any non-native plants?
Not at all! You can still have some plants
that are "just pretty". Just make sure that
they are not invasive species, and yes,
nurseries do sell them. When we know
better, we do better. When you
understand the importance of native
plants, you soon start learning more
about them. The ones that appeal most to
you, will be added to your gardens. We do recommend that the majority (70%) of
your garden is native. Ask yourself if it is
providing food for some creature, then
you know that it is worthy..
Why Do You Want Native Plants?
What's a Native Plant?
See Us At the Following 2023 Events:
*May 7 - 2nd Street Market Sprint Native Plant Sale
Held at 2nd Street Market, 600 E 2nd St, Dayton OH 45402
From 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
*May 27 - Miami County Park District Native Plant Sale
Held at Lost Creek Reserve & Knoop Agricultural Heritage Center, 2385 St Rt 41, Troy OH 45373
From 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
*June 3 - Darke County Parks Native Plant Sale
Held at Bish Discovery Center, 404 N Ohio St, Greenville OH 45331
From 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
*July 15 - Greene County Beekeepers Association- 2023 Honey Harvest
Held at Glen Helen's Camp Greene, 3452 Grinelle Rd, Yellow Springs OH 45386
From 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
*July 29 - Midwest Native Plant Conference
Held at Bergamo Center, 4400 Shakertown Rd, Beavercreek OH 45430
From 10:00 am to 4:30 pm (they ask that you pre-register a shopping time slot due to parking restrictions, you can do this at https://midwestnativeplantsociety.regfox.com/registration-for-native-plant-artisan-sale)
*October 1 - 2nd Street Market Fall Native Plant Sale
Held at 2nd Street Market, 600 E 2nd St, Dayton OH 45402
Times 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
You can always make an appointment and come out to shop, just email me at dnpnatives@gmail.com or call me at (937) 548-1948 (leave a message), you can also send me a text at (937) 239-5131.
Did you know
that April is
Native Plant
Month in Ohio?
Now that is something to
REALLY be happy and proud
of!!
You can read more about it
by clicking the button below.

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