Many people dispose of fallen leaves in the fall. However, the leaves provide shelter and habitat for wildlife throughout the fall and winter seasons. At McMullen House Bed & Breakfast we put the fallen leaves in the garden to provide nesting places, forage, and habitat for wildlife. The image below shows the butterfly garden with the remnants of one of the first snows this fall. The leftover purple coneflower provides seeds for birds, the dead stems provide cover for small mammals and the leaves are a habitat for an entire ecosystem of insects, worms, and food for birds.
This article from the Xerces Society talks about the benefits of keeping the leaves on the ground.
Book your stay at McMullen House Bed & Breakfast or call 814-775-0005 to see all of the gardens and how you can provide habitat for wildlife even in the fall and winter.