I have had 2 fatsia japonicas for 5 years. They are wonderful plants and seem to be very hardy. They have made it through several freezes each winter (as low as 15 degrees a couple of times) and sometimes look pretty sad by spring. But they always come back stronger than before. The only pruning I do is pull off yellow leaves after new growth appears. I wouldn't cut off anything until you see new growth. They usually begin putting on new growth in April. If you haven't seen signs of life by June I would suspect they aren't coming back. But it couldn't hurt to wait another week or so to see if warm weather encourages new growth.

Thanks Greenthumb, I've planted another nearby and it's so happy; and frequently check the roots of the injured one and I'm sure it's still alive....just can't bring myself to dig it up!! I also have a tiny one my neighbor gave me; volunteered from her's last year, and it's only 2 inches high but will plant it very soon, as I nursed it through the winter here and it's healty. I also posted in the tropicalesque forum; some think it fared poorly because it was planted too late. didn't make the same mistake this year, though. Thanks so much for your response! Pat