Stumpy!

When I planted my Butia 3 years ago, I knew it was going to be a slow grower. They take a while to establish themselves before they start growing.

You can see in my cover photo it hasn't really changed, but if you look in the centre you can see some fairly short and stumpy fronds.

Close up it does not look good

So I spoke to the man who knows everything about Palms, Nigel at Hardy Palms

he is based just down the road in Bristol, so knows the area and weather etc. etc. He advised that I can expect 4-5 leaves a year, once established. Apparently it will cope well with 'normal' winter weather and not to worry. I am not sure what 'normal' winter weather is nowadays. He did go on to say 'if we get a night that is forecast to go down to -8, get some fleece out and protect the heart.' Well that seems simple enough to do.
Or so I thought......
He then added .... if we get one of those weeks in winter where the temps are forecast to stay below zero day and night, then I have to give it some proper protection!!??? These occasional extra steps are worth it!!!

I definitely don't make life easy for myself.

So now I am looking at relatively easy ways of 'how' to give these plants 'proper' protection for winter. That does not require, hammer, nails and straw!!

I say 'these' plants, as you will remember I planted a new Butia in the last month, I think this one will have a bit more protection as it is on the right hand side of the garden and as most of the prevailing winds are from the Southwest this should be ok, but just need to be prepared.

Watch this space.