Hold Off on Pruning! Garden Care & Wildlife Support for Fall-to-Winter Garden

As November rolls in and the garden begins its serene transition into winter, I wanted to focus on something contradictory that might transform how you view fall-to-winter garden care.

Have you noticed the perennial debate among gardeners? Should we cut back or not cut back the flowering perennials for winter? Some prefer the clean, tidy look of neatly trimmed flower beds, while others have come to appreciate the quiet beauty of leaving the plants standing tall through the cold months.

I know there are good reasons for both of these manners, but I think they are mainly based on habits and what we are used to doing. It might also be a generational issue, such as with my dear mom and me. (By the way, she is an awesome gardener!) Or would I say it’s foundational, like the friendly argument between Microsoft and Apple users? 

Why it’s good to keep your garden a little wild

However, if you want to support wildlife, you might want to reconsider if you have been pruning all the perennials at the end of the season. Allowing your garden to remain a little wild gives it and its wildlife a better chance to thrive. This simple, intentional approach encourages biodiversity.

It's tempting to trim everything back for a tidy look, but holding off on cutting back your perennials can also reward you in unexpected ways! It opens up a whole new world of details and hues that might go unnoticed in the busier seasons, inviting you to see your garden with fresh eyes —even in the chillier months.

P.S. If you’d like more inspiration, check out the design tip I’ve added to this month’s The Garden Blueprint.