LANDSCAPE PLANTS WITH FIRE RESISTANT CHARACTERISTICSAll of these listed are hardy in the Pacific Northwest.
I need to stress that one needs to PLAN before planting. I will include one of my own mistakes as soon as I get a picture. One also needs to understand that all properties have microclimates, created by ones own home, surrounding trees, prevailing wind patterns (especially in the summer) and the structures of your neighbors. Usage of rock paths and large rocks is also especially worth considering and can be very attractive.SHRUBSAbeliaArctostaphylos columbianum (native) many great varieties to pick from. |
PERENNIALS
Acanthus mollis Alliums — many wonderful choices Armeria (Sea-thrift) Artemesia Bergenia cordifolia Chyrsanthemum hosmariense (new name now) Daylillies use dwarfs Erysimum kotschyanum Hardy geraniums. Dwarf cranebill geraniums. Can be weedy! Heuchera (Coral Bells) Hellianthemum (sun rose) Hosta, dwarf or large forms for shadier moist areas. Iris unguicularis Kniphofia (Poker Plants) Dwf. forms only Lewisia species. Pacific Coast Iris Potentilla Yarrow TREES Acer circinatum (native) or Korean Maple. A. pseudosieboldianum Alders and Birch Cercis species Eleagnus angustifolia Hippophae rhamnoides Japanese Hornebeam Myrica californica Prunus laurocerasus Prunus lusitanica Tsuga heterophylla Quercus garryana (N) OAK Usually too large for the garden. Red Oaks and Pin Oaks are more suitable. Campsis radicans (Trumpet vine) Lonicera (honeysuckle) ??? Vitis purpurea (dwarfish purple foliaged grape) |
always remember Fire Resisitant does not mean “Fireproof”!
Even fire-resistant plants will burn if not well maintained. Be sure to keep all of your land-scape plants healthy with appropriate watering and dead heading!
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Fire conditions and forest fires will get worse and funding for prevention has been lost to the costs of fighting them. A must read !
Anyhow, I was a bit surprised when the Daily News printed an article of a former Fire Chief presenting a course of “Fire Resistant Plants” at the Masters Gardeners. So much like what I have posted and sent to the Daily News weeks ago and to the Fire Chief in Sequim in 1995. As expected the newspaper did not print my article on Fireworks as it would offend. Trouble is that a Canadian company now owns ALL the newspapers in Clallam County. Bit of a problem there! (Black Press — so appropriate! They also tried to absorb the Pt. Townsend newspaper as well.