Its true of most spent flower stems on most plants, unless you're wanting to collect seed, or the seedheads are attractive in themselves. If you remove the stems as they flowers fade, the plant doesn't have to waste effort producing seed, and thus can devote more energy to growing leaves.

I 'think' Valerie is asking about removing the flower stem prior to flowering - I seem to remember hearing/reading this somewhere too.

Oh I see, misunderstood that then! I guess if you don't value the flowers, then it probably would be a good thing to do in terms of the leaves - most plants look pretty tatty immediately after flowering anyway, so if you didn't let that happen, it would redirect resources to the leaves.

My hostas does look pretty tatty anyway good old slug!

Thanks both of you for your response. Since I have already cut the flowers off I will see what happens. Maybe my hosta's will hold up better this year or maybe will be much larger in the spring. Guess I will have to wait and see if I can tell a difference.

i laways let mine flower. the flowers are very pretty and are a soft lilac colour too.