It is not required, but it is not harmful either. The Joe Pye Weed would be the only one that had seeds for the birds, I think.

Joe Pye has a pithy stem, and it is my understanding that this type of plant should NOT be cut back until all danger of snow and/or freezing rain is over. I cut my Joe Pye back years ago and lost all of it to a freezing rain. However, last year in the public garden where I work they cut it all back, and it survived. We did not have a hard winter, and I think that is the key. I have tried to search for a comprehensive list of things that have that pithy stem but so far have not found one. I have also been told that most salvias should not be cut back until early spring. Anyone else have ideas about what should not be cut back?

I leave all the dead stalks and stuff until my spring cleanup. I would rather have the different shapes and textures to look at through the winter than a flat brown patch of dirt. I especially like it when the snow paints the various dry stalk leftovers in the garden. Try it and see what you think. ;)

FataMorgana

I leave most up all winter for interest, cover and seeds for critters. Sometimes I cut stuff back depending upon what is done blooming etc.

I've cut joepyeweed back in the fall and never had a problem. It resprouts from the roots, so what happens to the dead stem is not going to affect next years growth.

Columbine goes to seed early in the year. I usually cut their seed pods off to save seeds and leave the foliage.

I find that my joepyeweed sprouts pretty late in the spring so I leave the stems over the winter so I know where not to dig in the spring! I've taken to leaving most of the perennial bed cleanups till spring that way the birds and other critters have some nibbles if it snows deep.