As the garden rests under a layer of fallen leaves and snow, I find myself reflecting on the beauty that surrounds us ~ and astounds me every day ~ even at this time of year.. From the simple fallen leaf to the dried milkweed seed heads blowing in the wind. Each has a purpose to serve and a story to tell, if only we’d listen.

the wise leaf and the all-knowing seeds

Most of us are too busy living our lives to really see, hear and appreciate the amazing life that exists in the soil beneath our feet, in the leaves on the lawn, and in the trees above our heads. It’s understandable. There are jobs to keep and bills to pay.

what i see and hear

During the fall and winter months, some see the fallen leaves and dried plants in the landscape as ‘dead’ or ‘ugly’. I see them as a beautiful symbol of the life-sustaining power of the food chain. They are a reminder of what was and what is yet to come.

less is definitely more

A few years ago, I liberated myself from the burden of ‘fall garden clean-up’ in favor of simply relaxing and enjoying the natural decline into winter. I also delayed spring clean-up until temperatures were consistently in the 50’s. Admittedly, the spring delay was a bit challenging for me as I am so anxious to get going in the garden.

Later that spring and summer I was rewarded with a noticeable increase in insect activity and variety of moth and butterfly species. We also began to experience more firefly action in late summer evenings. Every year since, our beneficial insect populations have grown in number and the gardens overall have become more resilient and resistant to disease.

how does it work?

During the summer and fall, moths and butterflies feast upon native trees and plants like this monarda bradburiana, sipping nectar from the bee balm and laying eggs on the leaves. Eggs become larvae which eat the leaves of their host plant. As the caterpillar larvae grow, they become a pupa and drop to the ground where they overwinter in the soil or in the leaf litter. Some spin their protective cocoons (moths) or chrysalis (butterflies) and spend the winter suspended from a twig or plant stem. Others spin their cocoon inside the folds of a leaf, eventually falling to the ground. Nature has equipped them with a type of anti-freeze to ensure survival throughout winter months as they develop into their adult form.

In the spring when the ‘time is right’ the fully formed adult emerges from the cocoon or chrysalis to begin yet another generation in our gardens. Alas, most don’t live very long and are eaten (as are their caterpillar form) by birds. But, this is their role in the food chain. Just as the northeast native plant zizi aurea ‘Golden Alexander’ provides an early source of pollen and nectar for bees, it also serves as host plant for the black swallowtail butterfly. Swallowtail larva and adults are essential food for our native songbirds. Read more about the importance of native plants and ecological gardening here.

a lighter, kinder approach

If we ‘tidy up’ the garden, raking leaves, removing spent flower stems and cutting back grasses, we are are most certainly destroying these magnificent creatures in their egg, larva and pupa forms. And if we do not offer native plants for nectar and foliage, we won’t even have them to begin with.

redefine your idea of ‘beauty’

As you observe your winter landscapes, I encourage you to shed outdated opinions about ‘dead’ plants, and instead appreciate the vital habitat that continues to support our native wildlife into spring. Take a moment to understand the consequences of your well-intended actions. Cast aside old notions about what defines ‘beauty’ in a landscape. Consider the Story of the beautiful swallowtail, and all of the creatures that depend upon our care and kindness to survive and to thrive in their native habitat. Look for the Stories in your own garden! I guarantee they are there, waiting to be discovered.

The full life-cycle of the garden is beautiful to me. I would love to hear what you find beautiful and welcome you to join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments section below. This is a safe, no-judgement zone. All opinions are welcome!

~ Barb