Barberry Bushes

We have lived in our current home for 15+ years.  When we moved in there was the typical boring suburban landscaping - lots of mulch with weeds, a few trees and not many real flowers.  In the front around the porch, barberry bushes were planted.  I am not sure I would have selected these plants, but they actually survive and thrive with little attention.  Last year one of the bushes in the very front had major die back and I was too lazy to replace it.  Plus the other two bushes surrounding it hid how horrible it looked.  This year we (I mean my husband) cut all of the old woody dead out and then cut what was left to the ground.  Not sure this is the best course of action, but I would like to see what comes up from the bottom as new.  If this is a bust, then this fall I will buy a new barberry bush and start fresh.