>> fall most heavily are right over other shrubs and plants
Ugh! Bad enough that leaves can smother grass,
I was going to ask if you can use a leaf blower to rescue the buried plants, but I see you have an even better method:
>> I had my beds cleaned today by the guys that cut our yard. I'm so thankful not to have to spend hours and hours raking leaves out of my beds and digging them out of my shrubs and plants.