This beauty from the palm center died during the winter 2008/2009. It was not a particular cold winter, about -13°C/-9°F at the lowest I think, and it might have died for other reasons, wind chill, drought or carpenter boots!
Carpenters and snow went away and summer came along. What was left in summer 2009 were these remains, a rotted stem and a small spear to the left
One of the cheap ones died too, but this one survived! I only used a few Juniper twigs as winter protection.
The surviving Chamaerops in September 2009
Preparing for the winter as early as in October (we had a little bit of frost late that month). For this winter, 2009/2010, I used small branches of spruce as protection.
I feared the worst after the winter 2009/2010, but these specimen must be hardy, and the winter protection (previous picture) adequate. For three long months everything has been buried in snow.
Spring 2010 was rather cold, and it seems there was no growth, May 2010.
Even after a long, warm period with temperatures between 17°-32°C, there is little growth. Only 5 cm in a month. This little hardy Chamaerops never looked much like a palm 2010!
As early as October I thought I had to cover the base with fallen leaves and some spruce. We had a few frosty periods, and who knows when more frost and snow will cover the ground?
March 2011: A little green can be spotted though the winter was down to -20°C. I hope they will have the strength to come again after two bad winters.
June 2011: There is still hope. Originally there were three palms potted together. One is obviously dead, but there is a new tiny leaf on its way on the surviving left palm. I wonder if the Chamaerops will look like a palm again this year?
July 27, 2011: There is only little growth, I keep the palms covered with a larger Ikea plastic box a great deal of the time in order to establish a hotter micro climate.
Late september 2011: There is actually two leaves and a spear coming through. Winterprotection added late October.