Perennials: Remove foliage from iris species or cut it back to about 3 inches for winter. This removes any iris borer larvae that may be overwintering in the foliage. After the first hard freeze cut back the “die-back shrubs” such as Russian sage, false blue spirea (Caryopteris) and butterfly bush (Buddleia) to about 18 inches in height. This preserves many buds that may produce new branches in spring, but protects the plants from branch breakage in heavy wet snows. You may also want to put a light winter mulch of straw around the base of butterfly bushes if they are newly planted to protect the crowns. Remember to leave foliage and stems at least 12 inches tall on chrysanthemum plants to protect the crowns for winter. Ornamental grasses can either be cut back to about 6 inches in fall or left standing to cut back in early spring. Some species, such as Miscanthus cultivars have seedheads that stay relatively attractive during winter unless there is a heavy snow. Most of our native grasses do not tend to remain attractive over winter.

Vegetables: Now is a good time to plant garlic bulbs. Select large, firm heads of cloves and break them up into individual cloves. The bigger the clove, the stronger the resulting plant will be. Plant them about five inches apart and two inches deep with the pointy “nose” end facing up. Mulch lightly with straw. Garlic prefers well-drained, rich organic soil; it will not do well in very heavy clay.

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