I tend to remove all the growth wether dead or not mid feb as it is school half term and I can rope youngest child in to help tidy it all into the compost bin.

I do it any time in winter or early spring

much obliged my special is peaonies 25 plants 17 varieties willtry to remember to send photos in late spring

i will look forward to seeing them. i only have 3 varieties but love them very much.