Cut it right down to the ground between now and March before the new growth starts. If you leave it any later you will end up cutting away the new growth.

It should be trimmed before the new growth begins in the spring, when the temperatures start to go up. Get a real good pair of gloves because the edges will cut. Hedge trimmers might work. Personnally I cut down the flower stalks and pull away the dead parts at the bottom, but others give it a crew cut about a foot up from the ground. My way, it looks good all the time and is a lot less work.

I do the same - I use a rake for the dead parts at the base. I give it a feed of blood fish and bone at the same time.

if it gets to straggly you can actually set fire to it but before the new shoots come, my neighbour did this once and i thought that was it for the poor plant, but it came back and looked great

I,m thinking of doing that this year San.

let the neighbours know skillen just incase someone calls fire brigade lol

Mine is right next to the fence - so not a very good idea, Sandra! :-((

maybe not barbara:o(, ok if in open area and with adult supervision :o))

good idea. will do that thanks.:~))