I try to leave as much dead growth as possible over winter, then have a good clear out in spring. The primary consideration for me is wildlife. Dead stalks provide hiding places for invertebrates, these provide food for birds. Seed eating birds have access to seed heads. Teasel, lemon balm etc.
I leave pretty much all dead growth until spring, just so I know what was growing where last year, so I don't try to plant something else on the spot, damaging the original plant. I only take cuttings (just in case the plant doesn't survive or if I want more plants), everything else stays. Makes the garden spring clean even more satisfying
Hi and welcome to the forum kevan97. You say you have Lythrum, Phlox, Namesia and Coreopsis in tubs . What kind of Phlox? And are your nemesia a perennial or annual one? That will help people to answer if you can say. If not sure I might tidy them a bit but leave until spring. If you see them again then you can cut them back then.
I try and get round all the garden now - just started today in fact. I cut most things back and do a tidy up. Just so I don't face a monumental task in spring. We are set for a couple of weeks of dry weather so I shall do 2-3 hours every day until it's done. Will take me about 10-14 days to do it all but will be worth it. I go round it all again in spring to do a final clear before the growth starts. I just can't bear to look at the untidiness over winter which is why I do it now at my leisure. I do leave a few things standing - a clump of Miscanthus, any salvias and penstemons.
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
I am actually glad I have decided not to cut everything back this year. Not only because I think it will look quite nice throughout the winter but more because of the cats in my area. Last year I cut everything back and there was lots of bare soil, which the cats used as a litter tray. I have to say it was pretty disgusting just how much crap they had left behind and they had buried loads of plants under mounds of soil from all their digging.
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You say you have Lythrum, Phlox, Namesia and Coreopsis in tubs .
What kind of Phlox? And are your nemesia a perennial or annual one?
That will help people to answer if you can say.
If not sure I might tidy them a bit but leave until spring. If you see them again then you can cut them back then.
So this winter should be so much better!