Outliving fires
If you think your area is going to be encountering fires in the months to come, then you should make sure you have some foundation plants included in your landscape.
These fire-resistant plants end up having supple, moist leaves and a non-aromatic sap, which will make them less prone to burning fast.
Shrubs that are considered fire-resistant include camelia, lilac, azalea, forsythia, rose of Sharon, viburnum, butterfly bush, and spirea.
In terms of trees, deciduous ones are the best, including redbud, oak, dogwood, and maple, and you should make sure you do not plant any conifers close to structures; they are considered highly flammable and can easily fall when fires are involved.
Perennials that are great to use include iris, echinacea, columbine, bulbs, daylilu, hosta, and coreopsis.
As a rule of thumb, you should avoid plants that have aromatic, resinous sap, and papery bark, contain oils, and leave dead, dry material since they are all flammable and can put your garden and home in more danger. Yes, that includes dry, ornamental grasses!
If you are worried that your plants are not going to survive this coming winter, then you know there are ways to protect them and keep them healthy, no matter how cold it is outside. Make sure you check out this article: 14 Winter Gardening Hacks to Keep Your Plants Healthy.
