August, 2002
Palm Of The
Month
Hurricane/Princess Palm
Dictyosperma
album
 The first time I saw a magnificent Princess, or Hurricane Palm, and then,
later, recognised it as a Dictyosperma album, I thought, my word, "what a true
representation of tropical symmetry." I was truly taken aback, as they say!
Indeed, this USDA Zones 10B-11 and 12 (truly frost-free
regions), palm fulfills so many design requirements that landscape architects consider
essential. Dictyosperma album grows no taller than 30 ft., which makes it perfected
sized for today's sleek tropical home elevations.
The Hurricane Palm is self cleaning, so no ugly
browned-out fronds to either "get used to" or remove from the trunk, via
chainsaw, as with the Washingtonias! What a tedious task, friends!
Its tolerability of many soil conditions makes it
exceptionally adaptable, and it IS fairly drought tolerant to boot!
 The Dictyosperma album has no problem with typical palm tree pests like
aphids, and its slender, symmetrical crown allows for good lawn growth under it. A
nice "plus" feature!
The Dictyosperma album: Princess or Hurricane Palm has
a similar appearance to Archontophoenix alexandrae, but the individual fronds fold back to
form an inverted "U". Its common name it owes to its exceptional
resistance to hurricane-force winds. Its fronds' configuration and shape help in
that regard a lot!
 This palm does not thrive in areas where there are constant drying winds
(like in Arizona & So. California's Inland Empire), but CAN be successful even there
with mini-mist evaporative coolers, Also, if grown in the Desert Southwest USA, or
inland Queensland, a semi-shaded location would be advisable! In extreme Southern
Florida, the Caribbean Basin, or Southeast Asia, full sun is just fine!
The Dictyosperma album, Hurricane or Princess Palm is
truly a regal & elegant tropical landscaping palm that carries elegance and charm in
any Zone 10B-12 garden. It is a truly worthy winner of August, 2002's:
Palm of
the Month!!
Paul,
The Palm Doctor
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