hi i cut mine right back last year when the leaves went brown as if they were dying to about 2 inches from ground level take care though.this year better than ever and still well in flower.just take the dead/dying bits off and bobs your uncle.good luck.

I take all the big leaves off and leave the new ones growing. they look like they are trying to pray as they stick straight up.

Thank you Kennyboy and Seaburngirl, that is helpfull. I have a lot of hellibore plants and was hoping to almost shear them to the ground as it is a bit tedious to try to cut back the old stems without inadvertantly chopping of new leaves.

I don 't cut them back as long as the leaves look attractive and shiny. the p[lant cant grow any bigger once its leaves are gone.I cut them off when they start to get black spots on them.

Hi Steragram,
Thanks, does that imply that if I do cut right to the ground, that the plant will return next year but not increase in size. Mine are enormous already, so that would not be a problem.

I suppose so - but why cut them back when they still look good? I agree with Kennyboy.