HURRICANES dump salt water on plants and often uproot them. As Mario Nievera has observed in Palm Beach, Fla., some of the first victims are delicate tropicals like crinum lilies, traveler's palms, heliconias, philodendrons and alocasia.

Mr. Nievera has also compiled an anecdotal list of survivors: trees, hedges and plants that have made it through back-to-back storms in his area. They include some palm trees: date, Bizmarck, Christmas and Chinese fan. Such trees can be expensive: expect to spend $10,000 for a 25-foot date palm; 20-foot princess palms start at $2,000. Varieties that are suitable as screens include the lady palm (from about $750 for one 8 feet high), and the areca palm (from about $550 for one 15 feet high).

Hedges that are still standing in Palm Beach include ones made of chalcas, a small-leaf plant with fragrant flowers (from about $75 for a plant 3 feet high) and mimusop, a small salt-tolerant tree (about $900 for one 6 feet high).

Surviving shade trees include noronhia, which has oval leaves (from about $450 for one 15 feet high); ligustrum, with small, waxy, dark green leaves (from about $750 for one 12 feet high); and the rusty fig, with leathery bronze leaves (about $6,000 for one 15 feet high).

The Confederate jasmine vine can be espaliered; six-foot-high vines start at $50.

Tough ornamental plants, some available for as little as $12, include hibiscus, gardenia and bromeliad. ELAINE LOUIE