FIRE - RESISTANT PLANTS FOR HOME LANDSCAPES

In dry forested areas, grassland, and areas prone to large fires, plants can be used to deter the forward velocity of the flames and reduce the amount of fuel available. A rich understory of living plants burn slower and keep moisture in the forest floor. Ground cover plants with watery sap burn slowly. Carpet Bugleweed, Kinnikinnick, and Rock Cress form dense mats of vegetation, protection of the soil with succulent leaves. Fire resistant perennials include Thyme, Yarrow, Chives, Columbine, and sedges. Shrubs include: Cranberry Cotoneaster, Boxwood, Dogwood, Russia Sage, and Serviceberry. Surprisingly two conifers, Ponderosa Pine and Western Larch are fire resistant, due to their thick bark and high moisture foliage.  Many deciduous trees are fire resistant.

Fire-resistant does not mean fireproof.
Plants that are fire-resistant have the following characteristics:
• Leaves are moist and supple.
• Plants have little dead wood and tend not to accumulate dry, dead material within the plant.
• Sap is water-like and does not have a strong odor.
• Sap or resin materials are low. 

Check out the original publication by the University of Oregon.
http://www.firefree.org/images/uploads/FIR_FireResPlants_07.pdf 

 Groundcovers

Ajuga reptans Carpet bugleweed              

Antennaria rosea Pink pussytoes                   

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Kinnikinnick                      

Aubrieta deltoidea Rock cress                         

Ceanothus prostratus Mahala mat                        

Cerastium tomentosum Snow-in-summer                

Delosperma cooperi Purple iceplant                   

Delosperma nubigenum Yellow iceplant                  

Dianthus species Dianthus, Garden carnation, or Pinks    

Fragaria species Wild strawberry                 

Lamium species Dead nettle                         

Pachysandra terminalis Japanese pachysandra                        

Phlox subulata Creeping phlox                   

Sedum species Sedum or stonecrops                         

Sempervivum species Hens and chicks                

Thymus praecox Creeping thyme                 

Veronica species Speedwell                          

Perennials

Achillea species Yarrow                               

Allium schoenoprasum Chives                               

Aquilegia species Columbine                         

Armeria maritima Sea thrift                            

Aurinia saxatilis Basket-of-gold                  

Bergenia cordifolia Heartleaf bergenia                             

Campsis radicans Trumpet vine                     

Carex species Sedges                               

Coreopsis species Coreopsis or Tickseed                       

Delphinium varieties Delphinium                       

Echinacea purpurea Conefl ower                        

Epilobium angustifolium Fireweed                            

Gaillardia varieties Blanket fl ower                   

Geranium cinereum Grayleaf cranesbill                            

Helianthemum nummularium Sun rose                             

Hemerocallis species Daylily                              

Heuchera sanguinea Coralbells                          

Hosta species Hosta lily                           

Iris hybrids Iris, tall bearded                

Kniphofi a uvaria Torch lily or Red-hot poker              

Lavandula species Lavender                           

Linum perenne Flax, blue                          

Lonicera species Honeysuckle                      

Lupinus varieties Lupine                               

Oenothera species Evening primrose                              

Papaver orientale Oriental poppy                  

Penstemon species Penstemon or Beardtongue               

Ratibida columnifera Prairie conefl ower or Mexican hat    

Salvia species Salvia or Sage                   

Stachys byzantina Lamb’s ear                         

Yucca species Yucca                                 

Shrubs—broadleaf evergreen

Ceanothus gloriosus Point Reyes ceanothus                      

Cotoneaster apiculatus Cranberry cotoneaster                       

Cistus purpureus Orchid rockrose                 

Daphne x burkwoodii

var  ‘Carol Mackie’ Carol Mackie daphne                        

Gaultheria shallon Salal                                 

Mahonia aquifolium Oregon grapeholly                            

Mahonia repens Creeping holly                   

Paxistima myrtifolia Oregon boxwood               

Rhododendron macrophyllum Pacifi c rhododendron                        

Shrubs—deciduous

Acer circinatum Vine maple                        

Acer glabrum Rocky Mountain maple                     

Amelanchier species Serviceberry                      

Caryopteris x clandonensis Blue-mist spirea                

Cornus sericea Redosier dogwood                            

Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ Dwarf burning bush                          

Holodiscus discolor Oceanspray                        

Perovskia atriplicifolia Russian sage                      

Philadelphus species Mockorange                      

Prunus besseyi Western sandcherry                           

Rhamnus frangula ‘Columnaris’ Tallhedge                           

Rhamnus frangula ‘Asplenifolia’ Fernleaf buckthorn                            

Rhododendron occidentale Western azalea                 

Rhus species Sumac                                

Ribes species Flowering currant                              

Rosa species Hardy shrub rose               

Rosa woodsii Wood’s rose                       

Salix species Willow                               

Spiraea x bumalda Bumald spirea                   

Spiraea douglasii Western spirea                   

Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry                         

Syringa species Lilac                                  

Viburnum trilobum Viburnum, Compact American

‘Compactum’ cranberry                        

Trees—conifer

Larix occidentalis Western larch                   

Pinus ponderosa Ponderosa pine                  

Trees—deciduous

Acer ginnala Amur maple                      

Acer macrophyllum Bigleaf maple                    

Acer rubrum Red maple                         

Aesculus hippocastanum Horsechestnut                    

Alnus rubra Red alder                          

Alnus tenuifolia Mountain alder                 

Betula species Birch                                  

Catalpa speciosa Western catalpa                 

Celtis occidentalis Common hackberry                           

Cercis canadensis Eastern redbud                  

Cornus fl orida Flowering dogwood                         

Crataegus species Hawthorn                          

Fagus sylvatica European beech                 

Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green ash                          

Fraxinus americana White ash                                         

Gleditsia triacanthos

var  inermis  cvs Thornless honeylocust                      

Gymnocladus dioicus Kentucky coffee tree                         

Juglans species Walnut                               

Liquidambar styracifl ua American sweetgum                         

Malus species Crabapple                          

Platanus racemosa Western or California sycamore        

Populus tremuloides Quaking aspen                   

Prunus virginiana Chokecherry                      

Prunus virginiana ‘Schubert’ Canada red chokecherry                 

Quercus garryana Oregon white oak                              

Quercus palustris Pin oak                              

Quercus rubra Red oak                             

Robinia pseudoacacia

‘Purple Robe’ Purple Robe locust                            

Sorbus aucuparia Mountain ash                     

PNW 590 • August 2006
Selecting plants that may reduce
your risk from wildfire
FIRE-RESISTANT PLANTS
FOR HOME LANDSCAPES
A Pacific Northwest Extension publication
Oregon State University • Washington State University • University of Idaho