Can I leave fallen leaves on my plants?

I have a rose garden and a butterfly garden that are basically covered in leaves to the point you can only see the tops, this even though we have been constantly raking/blowing leaves. This may sound dumb, but is it ok to just leave the leaves over the roses and other flowers as winter protection? I already have mulch on these plants, but I was wondering abou the leaves as they seem like a good blanket over the flowers.

Can I leave fallen leaves on my plants?
Depends on where you live. If you have very cold winters its OK. Just make sure you get em out by spring. If you have warm winters the leaves must go. The warmth combined with the decay will invite all kinds of fungus and disease.
Reply:yes... :D
Reply:yup. it will keep it warm!!
Reply:They are a natual mulch so I don`t think that they will hurt any thing.
Reply:Not sure, its probably ok though. Just remove them in the spring. At least rake them to the ground then.
Reply:Run over them with your lawnmower first, then apply. Great mulch and soil amendment! Injoy! :) arum
Reply:Yes, I do the same thing. I leave the leaves around my plants thinking that it provides protection from the harsh NJ winters. However, I would not leave it piled more than a few inches since you do want water to be able to reach the roots. I'm not an expert but have been doing landscaping for over 20 years.
Reply:Your right. but get them off in the spring so the sun can get to them....
Reply:They will have a hard time photosynthesizing, so it will stress them out. Best to rake ‘em up…THEN JUMP IN THE PILE AND DO IT AGAIN!!!