Living in the foothills means enjoying stunning views — while also living with significant wildfire risk. Wildfires are a natural part of Colorado’s varied ecosystems, and creating defensible space around your home is vital to protecting both your home and your community.
FIRE-RESISTANT PLANTS
All plants are not equal when it comes to wildfire mitigation. While no plant is truly fireproof, some species are significantly more resistant to ignition and can help slow or alter fire spread. These plants tend to have a low oil or resin content. Instead, their leaves have a high water content giving them an advantage over the high-oil plants (like junipers and conifers) that fuel fires. In fact, a plant’s moisture content is the single most important factor governing its volatility!
Native Colorado species are often a good choice as they are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions.
A compact growth form that stays low to the ground, and plants that are drought tolerant will also tend to be fire resistant.
LOW FLAMMABILITY PLANT RATINGS
A Colorado State University study has rated plants from 0-10 (based on a methodology developed by Idaho Firewise) to represent their overall flammability. On this scale, plants with lower scores mean they are highly flammable and ignite easily in a wildfire. The most flammable plants have a rating of 0-7, while the least flammable plants have ratings of 8-10.
Smart plant choices are an essential part of reducing wildfire spread and protecting your home.
Choose plants with a flammability rating of 8, 9, or 10 for the defensible space zones closest to your home. Plant choice, spacing and maintenance are critical to reduce the risk adjacent to the structure.
However, low risk doesn’t have to mean low curb appeal! Firewise plants can be a beautiful addition to your landscape. Below is just a sampling of the many plants that are slow to ignite, but quick to add color and interest to your landscape.
Echter’s carries many of CSU’s recommended low-flammability plants. Visit our nursery and perennials areas, or call us (303-424-7979) for availability of plants that interest you. We’ll help you create a beautiful landscape that also serves as a protective barrier against wildfires.