Best of 5: Hurricane Proof Palms

  

Christie Jones, Curator of Palms & Cycads

 South Floridians have lots of planting space available in their gardens, thanks to the last year's hurricane season.  As we begin to replant, most of us are looking to fill those bare spaces with plants -including palms- that will resist future storms. Following are five palm species that faired the best at Fairchild during the 2005 hurricane season.

Click on photos to enlarge.

       

Dictyosperma album -hurricane palm or princess palm- As it's name suggests, this palm is exceptionally tolerant of high winds and salt spray.  This puts it on the top of our hurricane proof list.  It is a graceful palm with long arching pinnate leaves.  A beautiful powdery white crown shaft tops the ringed trunk, which grows to 30 feet.  It grows well in sun and prefers moist soils.  See examples in Plots 114, 101.

  
      

Roystonea regia -royal palm- Native to the hurricane prone Caribbean (including South Florida), this palm uses a simple method for self-preservation; it allows the large leaves to snap off to reduce wind resistance.  With its tall concrete colored trunk and huge elegant canopy, it is a well-known favorite and staple of the South Florida landscape.  Even so, it deserves renewed recognition for its exceptional storm tolerance.  Best in full sun.  See examples in Plots 71,72.
      

Veitchia arecina -Montgomery palm- This palm's attractive shape is the epitome of the tropical palm.  A group of them silhouetted against a setting sun is an extraordinary sight.  It's slender trunks is flexible and leaves break away in the strongest winds. Flowers and fruits skirt the base of the crown shaft, displaying a color range from green to pale yellow to cherry red.  It grows to about 80 feet, needs a sunny area and even moisture.  See examples in Plots 17, 111.
      

Sabal palmetto -cabbage palm- All of our Sabal species weathered the storms of 2005 perfectly, including the cabbage palm.  It is named so because of the tender terminal bud within the crown that is eaten as a vegetable.  This palm, with its textured trunk and deep green fan-shaped leaves, is another native staple of the Florida landscape.  It is easy to care for and can reach heights of 80 feet.  It likes partial to full sun and regular moisture.  See examples in Plots 109, 176.
    

Coccothrinax argentata -silver thatch palm- The silver undersides of this palm's deep green leaves flash brilliantly in the breeze.  Though slow growing, this palm deserves a place in everyone's garden.  It can grow to 30 feet and will withstand almost as much coastal exposure as a coconut tree.   Plant in full sun.  Little, if any irrigation is needed once established.  Plots 107, 150.



General rules to follow when selecting a hurricane proof palm:

  • Palms with flexible leaves and trunks are less likely to snap in two. 
  • Large rigid leaves act as sails to catch the wind and magnify damage to the tree.
  • Pinnate (feather-like) leaves minimize wind resistance while fan-shaped leaves maximize it.
  • It is usually a safe bet to use native plants, as they evolved in South Florida's growing conditions.

 

More information and photos are found in our Fairchild Guide to Palms at www.fairchildgarden.org/palmguide.