I have two on either side of our entrance.

They are a perennial and go somewhat dormant in the winter. Cut them back to almost the ground and they will come back in Spring.

Elaine

They are a perennial and go somewhat dormant in the winter. Cut them back to almost the ground and they will come back in Spring.

Elaine

Leonotis leonurus
"The plant is a broadleaf evergreen large shrub native to South Africa and southern Africa, where it is very common." (from Wikipedia). They are drought tolerant.

That frost bit some tender plants here. I would leave it alone until you can see where the frost killed it. Then prune off the dead parts. Personally, I wouldn't take them down to ground level for fear of losing them. Of course if another frost is expected throw sheets or towels over them.

When they get looking ragged, which they will for most of us, just remove the ugly parts. I planted some of these in a hollowed out stump of a Douglas fir in an area of mostly shade, and ten years later I still notice them when blooming. I did have a large plant in a prominent place which looked pretty bad this time of year, and I decided to remove it. Al

I would leave them alone until there is no more possible threats of frost, so like in April maybe.

Reason is that even thought that dying foliage is ugly, it will protect the rest of the plant and root from more damage in future frosts.

It's only early January and we could have several more frosts until spring. If you cut it now, what's left could be damaged again, even maybe down to the roots. So I'd just leave it for now, and cut it back in April. But do water it if we don't get any rain for 2-3 weeks. A well watered plant handles frosts better than a dry one.

Ok I'm glad I waited. I will keep watering them and hope they come back. It's blue skies and sunny right now, so part of me wants to trim them. But I will wait since spring the threat of frost isn't over. The towels are a good idea!

The only thing I should trim the dead pods. Right?

Trim off the dead bits, sure, but wait until all chance of frost is past to cut into live stems. You do not want to stimulate tender new growth that will end up zapped by possible frost.

I live in Santa Rosa, CA and mine is looking like the picture posted. Dying.

I now know I should have pruned it back lower . Do I have toast until winter or an I prune it anytime? The temperature is HOT now. It’s summer s I don’t suspect it will be cooling down for awhile.

Did it up coming back?