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Yes, I have. Here in Washington, DC. I have, so far, successfully grown three Chusan (Windmill) Palms. Of course, we have cold winters, but probably a bit milder than Connecticut.
I noticed them over in Europe, even in the Italian Alps, which certainly see a lot of snow. I grabbed three and plunked them the ground in June of 2001. Each Winter I have protected them by heavily mulshing and then wrapping plastic mesh around them and filling it with leaves. Each Winter I reduce the protection a bit. I also put the protection up later and take it down earlier each year.
Two are on the south side of the house and are doing really well. The third is on the north side and is doing fine, but not as well as the others.
Chusan Palms come from mountainous areas of China. They are very cold hardy and might do ok in Connecticut with protection. Good luck.
Are you going to continue protecting them during the Winter indefinitely?
I had a friend in the Italian Alps and each Winter I would stare at her neighbor's 20 foot Chusan Palm covered in snow and then see it lush and green during the Summer. It was like a Corona Christmas ad.
I eventually want to stop protecting them, but would hate to see 6 yeas of effort go down the drain. Then I think of the one in Italy...
I will protect this winter- but again with the weather changing so rapidly due to climate change- what I thought of 3 years ago as something far off into perhaps 2030 and beyond for these palms is now looking like 2010.
The IPCC has greatly understated the true impact of climate change in the northeast and southern New England-
If in the DC area- you are in a better position then I for leaving them unprotected- the DC area is now a zone 7, with the city a zone 8 nearly.
I have gone from a zone 5/6 to a 6/7 in the last 20 -30 years- so for me its still really borderline- but my palms are thriving and putting out new leaves rapidly.
I will cover this year-in late November, early December- and play it my ear.
PM for e mail and pics.
I know little about growing palms. Just came across that piece and thought it may help.
I grow carnivores instead.
Carnivores? I see-well ok
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