to cut back or not

by m bainbridge
(scarborough)

my christmas rose is just beginning to have new flower growth.but above it is 18ins.of last years green leaves.is it better to leave them on the plant or cut them back

Doug says if you can see the flowers well enough and the foliage isn't too bad - you can leave it (some folks do).

Having said that - I always cut the old foliage back in the spring (if winter doesn't whack it) so I can see the flowers and the new foliage has a clear route to grow.