In an effort to make the gardens hospitable to overwintering insects, I don’t undertake any pruning or other cleanup efforts until spring is well under way. All of last year’s growth–which some might think of as “mess’–offers little creepy-crawlies a wealth and variety of wintertime habitat. 
But here is another reason to preserve that jumble of older growth. Behind and underneath a mass of buckwheat, goldenrod and hummingbird trumpet, I just discovered a very well hidden mother mallard on her nest. There was a similar nest nearby last year, and I wonder if this may be the same mom returned for another successful season.