Forget spring cleaning, we humans are programmed to tidy-up each autumn – raking, pulling, and cleaning garden beds.
Our feathered friends give us one great reason to put down the clippers! Nuthatches, towhees, chickadees and other songbirds will flock to your perennial garden to feast on the seeds of black-eyed Susan, coreopsis, sunflowers, gaillardia, and ornamental grasses, or sedges like EverColor Carex.
Other wildlife also benefit from leaving the foliage of perennials and grasses in place over the winter. These plants offer a “warm blanket” of protection from the wind and cold and are often used to build shelter.
And don’t forget about the beauty these plants bring! Dried seed heads, long grass blades, and sturdy stems add structure, height, and texture to the winter garden. Perennials like Saucy™ Red Salvia or Saucy™ Wine Salvia will discard spent blooms on their own in November (no need to deadhead!) and maintain vibrant foliage through the winter.
But there are important exceptions: instances in which it's better to cut back. Read on to learn more about how to make the call in your own garden!
