how to grow a helleborus x hybridous plant

by stephanie
(san jose CA)

I just bought a helleborus, it is flowering and has Huge leaves but all of them are starting to turn brown. I was told to trim it. When and how far down do I trim it. Also I was told it is poisionous. Is it more posionous than a a poinsettia?

Doug says - the article on growing hellebore is here

And given that Poinsettia aren't poisonous (it's an old wives tale), yes hellebore are more poisonous. But as long as you don't go around eating your plants, you should be fine. :-)