Defensible Space & Firewise Plants

Napa's Suggested Firewise Plant List

Although there are no fireproof plants, the following is a list of plants, which have a higher fire resistance than many now in the landscape. These species are recommended for landscaping in high-risk fire areas. Landscape maintenance is far more important to fire prevention than selection of plant materials, but you can get a leg up by avoiding pyrophytic plants – which are not on this list. When planning your landscape, consider the characteristics of the site such as slope, aspect, shade, and precipitation rate and amount that your site receives in making final plant selections. When in doubt, ask your local nursery for recommendations.

TREES / SHRUBS

Valued natives / Common name

Acer macrophyllum / Big Leaf Maple
Aesculus California/ California Buckeye
Alnus rhombifolia / White Alder
Cornus nuttalli / Pacific Dogwood
Juglans hindsi / Black Walnut
Platanus racemose / California Sycamore
Prunus spp. / Stone Fruits
Quercus spp. / Oaks
Sequoia sempervirens / Coast Redwood

Ornamental Garden Trees / Common name

Acer spp. / Maple
Arbutus unedo / Strawberry Bush
Catalpa spp. / Catalpa
Cercis occidentalis / Western Redbud
Cercocarpus betuloides / Mountain Mahogany
Cinnamomum camphora / Camphor
Citrus spp. / Citrus
Fagus spp. / Beech
Feijoa sellowiana / Pineapple Guava
Fraxinus spp. / Ash
Ginkgo biloba / Maidenhair
Gleditsia triacanthos / Honey Locust
Koelreuteria bipinnata / Chinese Flame
Lagerstroemia indica / Crape Myrtle
Liquidambar spp. / Sweetgum
Liriodendron tulipifera / Tulip
Macadamia hybrids / Macadamia
Magnolia spp. / Magnolia
Metasequoia glyptostroboides / Dawn Redwood
Metrosideros excelsus / New Zealand Xmas
Myoporum spp. / Myoporum
Olea europa / Olive
Pistacia spp. / Chinese Pistache
Pittosporum spp. / Pittosporum
Populus spp. / Poplar
Rhus spp. / Sumac
Robinia pseudoacacia / Black Locust
Schinus spp. / Pepper Tree
Ulmus spp. / Elm

Native Wildland Plants / Common name

Brugmansia spp. / Datura
Buddleia spp. / Butterfly Bush
Carpenteria californica /Bush Anemone
Convolvulus eneorum / Bush Morning Glory
Cotoneaster spp. / Cotoneaster
Dendromecon rigida / Bush Poppy

Domestic Garden Shrubs / Common name

Escallonia spp. / Escallonia
Garrya spp. / Silk Tassel
Heteromeles arbutifolia Toyon / Christmas Berry
Lavatera spp. / Mallow
Ligustrum spp. / Privet
Mahonia spp. / Mahonia
Nerium oleander / Oleander
Nolina spp. / Grass Tree
Osteospermum fruiticosum / Trailing African Daisy
Punica granatum / Pomegranate
Pyracantha spp. / Firethorn
Rhamnus alaterus / Italian Buckthorn
Rhamnus spp. / Buckthorn Coffeeberry
Rhaphiolepis spp. / Hawthorn
Rhododendron (Azalea spp.) / Rhododendrons & Azaleas
Ribes spp. / Currant
Simmondsia chinensis / Jojoba
Solanum umbellifeum / Nightshade or Potato Vine
Thymus serpyllum / Creeping Thyme
Trachelospermum spp. / Star Jasmine
Vinca spp. / Periwinkle
Yucca spp. / Yucca

PERENNIALS / GROUND COVERS

Perennial / common name

Achillea spp. / Yarrow
Agapanthus spp. / Lily of the Nile
Bergenia spp. / Bergenia
Centaurea cineraria / Dusty Miller
Centranthus rubber / Red Valerian
Coreopsis spp. / Coreopsis
Dietes spp. / African Iris Fortnight Lily
Erigeron spp. / Mexican Daisy Fleabane
Geranium spp. / Geranium
Hemerocallis hybrids / Daylily
Hesperaloe / Red Yucca
Heuchera spp. / Coral Bells/Alum Root
Iris spp. / Iris
Kniphofia spp. / Red Hot Poker
Lantana spp. / Lantana
Lavandula spp. / Lavender
Mimulus spp. / Monkey Flower
Sisyrinchium spp. / Blue-Eyed Grasses
Stachys byzantine / Lamb’s Ear
Strelitzia reginae / Bird of Paradise
Tulbaghia violacea / Society Garlic
Zantedeschia spp. / Calla
Zauschneria spp. / Fuchsia

Succulents / Common name

Delosperma spp. / Iceplant
Echeveria spp. / Hens & Chicks
Sedum spp. / Stonecrop/Donkey Tail

Non-Succulents / Common name

Achillea spp. / Yarrow
Ajuga spp. / Carpet Bugle
Armeria maritime / Common Thrift
Coprosma spp. / Coprosma
Duchesnea indica / Mock Strawberry
Festuca spp. / Fescue
Liriope spp. / Lily Turf
Myoporum parvifolium / Parvifolium

Defensible Space & Firewise Plants