Leaving any wilted plant stems in the garden bed over winter benefits animals and wildlife. That might not look perfectly tidy and appealing but there are ways you can find a balance so your garden is a haven for creatures and also easy on the eye. No one would say animal welfare is a bad thing but some helpful suggestions go a bit too far, many may feel, such as leaving the brown and wilted blooms and stems of perennials and woody plants in the garden over the winter. But that creates a much needed space for birds and little creatures to retreat to over winter. If you are not particularly exc…