Weekend garden chores: pruning hellebores

The snow has melted, revealing not only the damage done to my gardens, but the inevitable spring mess waiting for me.

Among the chores I have neglected because of the 40 inches of snow covering: pruning my hellebores.

Hellebores are also known as "Lenten Roses," for it is during that time of year that they bloom.

They are the only plants blooming in my winter garden, and I have done them the great disservice of neglecting their appearance.

Each year at this time, I prune away the blackening leave fronts, but I leave the new leaf growth in place.

Mr. McGregor's daughter, a garden blogger from Zone 5 outside Chicago, suggests I cut away all of the foliage to prevent infestations.

Check out this blog post for a step-by-step photo illustration on how to prune your hellebores.