Does gunnera die down in the winter...

Yes, it does. You need to half-break the stems soon and push the leaves over the crowns. This provides frost protection. If you are in an area where it might get badly frosted, protect it even more with a layer of straw. The new shoots will appear in the spring and then you can remove the soggy old leaves!

That reminds me that I haven't done mine yet! The forecast for next week is for frost so I will have to do it, prickly stems or not....

My (young one) is dug up, potted, and in the greenhouse to avoid the traumas of its first and a half year. Of course I live in the frozen North. At least I'm zone 8b, 5 Miles inland is 8a. Aaaargh.

Thanks for your help.....we dont get much frost here as i live 2 mins from the beach on the south coast....but we did have some snow last year..so best protect them....