North America has been conditioned to that manicured lawns and manicured trees and shrubs type of garden. That works against wild life. In order to keep peace with neighbour......I keep some shrubs cut back.......but they were good habitat for birds etc. when they grew naturally.
Also, "cleaning up in Fall" destroys winter hiding places for critters.
I find lady bugs snuggling into Lavatera seed capsules. So I leave them until spring.
