Love that your hellebore is jumping the gun and blooming already. Now about the Spotty Dotty or Podophyllum. I admit that I have killed this plant and it was indeed a bit pricey so I do not have much confidence when I tell you just leave it alone and it will resprout in the spring. I suspect poor drainage and wet winter caused mine to rot. You did not mention where you live. If you garden where it freezes for weeks every winter then I would add a thick mulch on top of the plant once the top dies back in late fall. I do think the hellebore with Dotty is a lovely combination. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti