A line of flames is only part of the danger of the wildfire

These flying embers create “spotting” where new fires erupt ahead of the main fire. In the case of Jesusita, flying embers landed in pines and palm trees or the leaf litter that accumulated in the valley of a roof and spread the fire beyond the ability of fire engines to put out.

This shows that “defensible space” is only one aspect of a fire safe garden and home. Maintenance and vigilance also are important.  Some residents stayed to defend their homes and doubtless  were able to combat the embers.  But the risk is great; on one street, fire fighters were overrun in a home, taking shelter inside the structure to avoid the firestorm outside.  Even with their heavy protective clothing and years of training, they went to hospital with burns.  A homeowner would not be that lucky without the same protective gear.  

Along with creating defensible space, home owners should plan to evacuate and protect their home with a fire resistant foam or gel such as ThermoGel, that can be applied via a hose end sprayer quickly.  The gel snuffs out embers and can be an effective part of the Fire Safe Garden.

Is it a succulent? What can I plant to help protect my home?

There is an easy answer: forget the plant lists and think about how a fire safe plant grows and what it contributes to your overall sustainable garden.

Here a few examples we will explore today: Gaillardia ‘Goblin’, Penstemon heterophyllus, Pacific Coast Iris, Malus ‘Pink Pearl’,Quercus agrifolia.

Some of the attributes of a fire-safe plant include a lack of woody material accumulating, active growth in summer, or thick  leathery foliage and heavy bark that resists fire.

Gaillardia 'Goblin' offers multicolored blooms for the fire safe border

To start the list off with an explosion of color is Gaillardia ‘Goblin’ ,an easy to grow colorful perennial for full sun. Drought tolerant and deer resistant, it is fire safe because if it’s lack of woody volume and active growth in summer.  This self seeding perennial is ideal mixed with salvia, verbena and teacrium in the dry border.  

Penstemon heterophyllus is native to the foothills of California where it shows off masses blue tubular flowers on 1 ft spikes in early summer.

Penstemon 'Margarita BOP' is a popular cultivar for the dry garden

 The display is noticed by hummingbirds and butterflies alike.  It does best in garden spots where it can go dormant in late summer, making it a perfect companion to ceanothus and low manzanita. Again, low fuel volume and drought tolerance make it penstemon and ideal fire safe choice.  The best known variety is ‘Margarita BOP’ discovered by Las Pilitas Nursery in Santa Margarita growing at the back of their porch , hence “BOP”.

Pacific Coast Iris are hybrids between our fine native Douglas Iris and other species to give them a wide range of colors and large ruffled blooms. PC Irises come in many colors including yellow, blue, maroon, and white.  They are ideal under high branched trees like Monterey Pines or live oaks in dappled shade where they can be used to create a colorful groundcover.  Keeping the landscape low and open under trees eleminates fuel ladders to take flames into the crown.

Blue and White Pacific Coast Iris are ideal under trees

Of course, that brings up the Coast Live Oak, Quercus agrifolia, the most iconic tree in the Western landscape.  While it is often seen burned after a fire, live oaks have thick leathery leaves that resist flames  and strong heavy bark that protects buds that can sprout quickly after a fire.  Native trees like Coast Live Oaks evolved with fire. Properly pruned and kept clear of dry brush, this tree adds beauty, shade, and wildlife shelter to any landscape, urban or rural.

One last tree for the fire safe garden illustrates many points at once. ‘Pink Pearl’ is a low chill apple from Australia.

'Pink Pearl' apples offer pink fragrant blooms in Spring

 It adds organic, nutritious food to the sustainable fire safe garden as well as nectar for pollinators, shade for the home, and attractive year round interest from flowers, fruit and fall color for the garden.  Apples don’t sustain fire with leaves that wilt in heat and an open canopy with little dry wood.

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