Many homeowners, when considering landscaping and gardening, are more concentrated on having a landscape that is pleasing to the eye, is a complement to their house, and has variations of color, foliage, and flowers.
There is another important aspect of home landscaping that should be considered, which is safety. If you are developing your landscape, you should think about fire safety in general, and how flammable the plants are that you will use. Be aware that flammable plants in your landscape can increase the risk of fire around your home. These plants can act as fuel that contributes to the intensity of a fire.
Although there are many preventative methods applicable to your backyard and outdoor area, planting fire resilient plants is one of the best methods you can use to support fire safety.
Fire resilient plants have a stronger capacity to withstand the high temperatures associated with fire and are less likely to be ignited by flame or other sources. The foliage and stems from these plants will rarely contribute to the intensity of a fire.
Be aware that fire resilient plants are not fire proof and can most certainly be damaged by fire.
Some of the fire resistive plant characteristics you will find are supple and moist leaves, water-like sap (usually the sap will not have a strong scent), thicker bark, high moisture content, and low resin content.
Planting Fire Resilient Plants
By surrounding your house with fire resilient plants, you won't guarantee the safety of your home, however, it will decrease the risk of damage. A great advantage that these plants have is that a garden filled with fire resistant plants will grow back looking good even when the worst happens.
Proper placement of fire resilient plants will help to protect your house by sheltering it from intense heat. You should plant the most drought tolerant and fire resistant plants within about three feet of your home.
There are a wide variety of plant and tree species to choose for your landscape that are both attractive and fire resistant.
Consider the following species which belong to the grasses, groundcovers, vines, perennials and annuals family: African daisy, Black-eyed Susan, Iris, Ivy, Thyme, Yucca, Poppy, Lavender, Red hot poker, Clematis, Coral bells.
In the trees and shrubs family you will find Oleander, Lilac, Jasmine, Poplar, Oak, Plum, Peach, Maple, Elm, Ash, Birch, and Cherry.
