Creating the fire-safe landscape: what to plant and where to plant it
Read more about defensible landscaping
Note: There’s no completely fireproof plant. But click ahead for four plants that can slow a fire if they’re watered and pruned regularly.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
These mat-forming groundcovers have small green leaves that turn red in winter, and white to pinkish spring blooms.
Sun to light shade. Sunset climate zones A1–A3; 1–9, 14–24
Lavandula dentata
The plant’s leaves contain scented oils, but it’s slow to ignite if watered regularly. (It’s one of the few water-wise plants that’s also fire-wise.)
Full sun. Zones 8, 9, 12–24.
Mimulus
Many of these narrow-leafed perennials are well adapted to the dry West. Some have orange blooms; others scarlet or bicolored.
Full sun or part shade. Zones vary by species.
Delosperma
Groundcovers with succulent leaves and daisylike flowers of bright pink (D. cooperi) or yellow (D. nubigenum).
Sun or light afternoon shade in hottest climates. Zones 2–24.