Firewise Plants for the Mountain West

Techniques and recommendations for choosing shrubs and trees less likely to burn and transmit flames

Those of us who be in the Mountain West know that our timber are filled with big stands of conifers such as Douglas firs ( Pseudotsuga menzisii , Zones 4–6 ) , ponderosa pines ( Pinus western yellow pine , zone 3–7 ) , and Colorado juicy spruces ( Picea pungens , Zones 2–7 ) , among others . Unfortunately , as we ’ve witness firsthand , these Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree have a eminent resin contentedness , gain them very prostrate to take in ardor . While that does n’t imply you have to rule out all of them from your landscape painting , you will want to cautiously choose which ones to keep and maintain as you create a firewise area around your pot home .

In my previous clause , Firewise Landscaping in the Mountain West , I discussed how to create a defendable distance . When make a defensible space , what industrial plant should you add ? According toFact Sheet no . 6.305from the Colorado State University extension service service about firewise plant fabric , “ there are no really ‘ fireproof ’ plant species , so plant choice , spacing , and maintenance are critical to defensible space landscape gardening . In fact , where and how you plant may be more significant than what you plant . However , given alternatives , take works species that tend to be more resistant to wildfire . ” In universal , deciduous plants are more tolerant to fire than coniferous ones because their leaves have a gamy moisture mental object and typically are n’t mellow in rosin and oil . Other plant life gadget characteristic to look for include :

Annuals and perennials

Most perennial and wildflowers are appropriate in firewise landscapes . This let in both native and altered species . As in any landscape painting , they provide a variety of colour and textures . The Florida key for making them safe is proper maintenance : watering , weed , and edit back drop foliage .

Shrubs

small shrubs that grow lower to the terra firma should be used in planting bed nearer the family and should not be planted under large trees ; you do n’t want them dissemble as “ run fuel , ” causing the canopy to cauterize . Some potential small shrubs let in :

large bush should be planted far away from the sign of the zodiac or other structures . These can include :

Deciduous trees

Deciduous tree can be an important element to tot up to your landscape , providing height , flowers , declivity color , and different textures . Again , they should be planted further away from the house . Some mixture to try include :

The fact sheet I reference above has an encompassing firewise plant listing . As always , it is important to note your EL and zone when select plant material for your garden . Some of the plants listed there or on other plant leaning may not mold in your particular emplacement . If you do a lookup online for firewise works in your state or province , you will happen many lean from local university extension servicing , forest service , local government , and local nurseries .

I ’m hybridize my fingers for much more snowfall and subsequent snowmelt this wintertime so that the next fervour season in the Mountain West is less destructive . In the meantime , for those of you who live in our wildfire - prostrate areas , a little planning and a lot of work can go a farseeing agency to mitigate the risk of wildfire wipeout in your piece of paradise .

— Michelle Provaznik is executive director of the Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins , Colorado .

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bearberry conifer

Low-growing plants like this bearberry should be used close to the house. If planted at the foot of a tree, they can serve to transmit fire to the crown.Photo: Michelle Provaznik

Coreopsis

Most perennials are generally not a huge fire-safety concern. Focus on deadheading and cutting back dead growth when appropriate.Photo: Steve Aitken

bearberry

Smaller ground-cover shrubs should be used close to the house, preferably near hardscaping that can help stop the path of fire.Photo: Michelle Gervais

Diablo ninebark