One of the first plants to emerge from dormancy will be Helleborus.
If your plants still have last year’s old leaves which are looking brown and spotted then cut them off now.
This will reduce the risk of black spot leaf infection, to which all Helleborus are prone, on the new growth when it emerges.
It also means that the flowers can be admired more readily.
We have a helleborus care guide.
If you have dormant herbaceous plants in pots ready to plant out when the weather improves do not be concerned if they freeze solid and are covered in snow in cold spells. They can take it! What is far more of a risk is a soaking wet January where the pots get continually soaked. This can rot roots and root systems especially in plants like Lupins, Delphiniums and Japanese Anemones. It is far better to keep herbaceous potted plants dampish but not dry in a greenhouse, polytunnel or even the garage.
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