montbretia for basket weaving

recently read in a book on basket weaving that the dried leaves from flowering plants such as irises and montbetia can be used. I only have a few irises in the garden,new plants this year and I'm not sure whether they would normally keep their leaves through winter or not, so I haven't chopped these back. montbretia leaves always die back and if not gathered up quickly turn into a soggy mess so I'm happy to chop them back a little early and they are now strung up in the garage to dry. cutting them back has made the step from patio to lawn visible and has given the snails one place less to hide.