Yard
Sneezeweed and Beebalm The magenta-purple flowers of ‘Scorpion’ beebalm (Monarda ‘Scorpion’, zones 4 to 9) complement the red-orange sneezeweed pictured in this Dutch meadow-style garden. Aptly-named, beebalm (Monarda spp., zones 4 to 9) is a bee and butterfly magnet wherever it’s planted. Sneezeweed (Helenium spp., zones 3 to 8) offers a late-summer to early-fall floral show. Try the speckled orange and red ‘Mardi Gras’ sneezeweed variety for petals that look like they’ve been tie-dyed, or try yellow-flowered Helenium autumnale for a North American native. Gardening tip: Deadhead sneezeweed and beebalm regularly in late summer in order to extend their blooms as long into fall as possible (up to October for sneezeweed or September for beebalm, depending on care and climate).
Mexican Bush Sage, New Zealand Flax and ‘Karl Forester’ Feather Reed Grass Color and texture make a statement in this low-water combination of fall-blooming Mexican bush sage, strappy New Zealand flax and ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’, zones 4 to 9). Purple-flowering Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha, zones 8 to 10) is a fall garden star. The shrubby perennial begins flowering in mid- to late-summer and produces showy blooms — which are sought-after by bees, butterflies and hummingbirds — up until the first frost. New Zealand flax (Phormium spp., zones 9 to 11) add structure to gardens throughout the season; choose a variety like ‘Maori Queen’ (syn. ‘Rainbow Queen’) or ‘Maori Sunrise’ (syn. ‘Rainbow Sunrise’) for colorful stripes.
Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis syn. Cercis orbiculata) This water-wise small tree is native to California, Utah and Arizona. Due to its naturally compact size and beautiful leaves, western redbud makes an attractive accent plant in home gardens. The leaves are heart-shaped and bright chartreuse, and it produces pink, pea-like flowers in springtime while branches are bare. Western redbud is a fire-smart choice and well-adapted to arid regions. Trees reach 10 to 18 feet tall and wide but can be kept smaller with pruning. Where it will grow: Young plants are hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.7 degrees Celsius; mature plants are hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12.2 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 9) Water requirement: Moderate; low once established Light requirement: Full to part sun
Paddle Plant (Kalanchoe luciae) With its chunky, paddle-like leaves filled with water, paddle plant makes a dramatic addition to fire-smart landscapes. Use it as a focal point plant, surrounded with low-water ground covers, where its unusual form can stand out. The leaves turn reddish with more exposure to sun. Where it will grow: Hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius (zones 9 to 11) Water requirement: Low to moderate Light requirement: Full sun in coastal conditions; filtered light or partial shade inland
Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus spp. ) With dramatic bloom spikes held on 1½- to 3-foot-tall stems, this easy-care perennial is stunning when planted in borders, as a foundation plant or massed along a driveway. Strappy, moisture-filled leaves and stems are slow to ignite, making agapanthus a fire-wise choice. Choose among many agapanthus cultivars, with blooms ranging from white to purple and pink and a variety of plant sizes. Plants are native to South Africa and attract pollinators. Where it will grow: Hardy to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 15 degrees Celsius (zones 7 to 11) Water requirement: Moderate Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Lavender (Lavandula spp.) Fragrant lavender is a gorgeous low-water, fire-wise choice for garden borders and containers — and pollinator-friendly to boot. Although the leaves of the plant are rich in oil, they are slow to ignite, as long as plants receive consistent water. Watch out for plants that show signs of die-back or have gotten woody. These should be cut back or removed to keep the landscape fire safe. Where it will grow: Hardiness varies by species; many are between zones 5 and 9 Water requirement: Low to moderate Light requirement: Part to full sun
Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina) Native to Turkey and Iran, lamb’s ears forms clumps of fuzzy, silvery leaves 1½ feet tall and 3 feet wide. Plant along borders, in mixed perennial beds and as pathway edgers. This relatively low-growing plant is considered fire-wise if maintained properly. Divide mounds in early spring and routinely clean up dead undergrowth. Caution: Lamb’s ears can be an aggressive spreader and can become invasive in some areas. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 34.4 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 9); may not tolerate summers that are very hot and humid Water requirement: Moderate Light requirement: Part sun to full sun
Ice Plant (Delosperma spp.) The small, cylindrical leaves of South African-native ice plant are rich in water, making the plant another fire-smart, drought-tolerant option for landscapes. Plant as a low-growing ground cover or filler around pavers. Purple blooms are most common; for white flowers look for D. ‘Alba’. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 10) Water requirement: Low to moderate Light requirement: Part to full sun; light shade in hottest climates
Bergenia (Bergenia spp.) The large, paddle-like leaves of bergenia are moderately fire-resistant thanks to their high water content. Try them as bold border plants alongside a shaded walkway or planted as a ground cover under trees. They grow best in partial to full shade, adding a lush, almost tropical look with their large-scale leaves. Bergenia are native to China, Russia and the Himalayas; B. cordifolia is cold-tolerant down to Zone 3. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 37.2 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 8) Water requirement: Moderate Light requirement: Partial to full shade
Beach Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) This low-growing ground cover native to the dunes of the Pacific Coast makes an excellent water-wise and fire-smart landscaping plant. Beach strawberries spread by runners, so plant them where you would like them to spread — such as on a bare slope or as a walkable ground cover in place of a lawn. The plants set few berries (although they are edible) and are mainly grown for their glossy dark green leaves, which turn bronze in winter, and white flowers in spring. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 9) Water requirement: Low to moderate Light requirement: Part to full sun
. Agave (Agave spp.) Agave of all shapes and sizes are slow to ignite, thanks to their water-loaded leaves. Use them in combination with other fire-wise plants or let them stand alone against a wall as dramatic focal points. Top varieties include spine-free foxtail agave (A. attenuata, pictured), dense, rosette-forming artichoke agave (A. parryi var. truncata), and bold ‘Blue Glow’ agave (A. ‘Blue Glow’). Foxtail agave are more cold-sensitive than other varieties. Where it will grow: Hardiness varies widely by species; generally they grow in zones 8 to 12 Water requirement: Low; a few species need moderate water Light requirement: Full sun is best for most; some require partial shade
Fertilize lightly but frequently. Plants in a container go through soil nutrients in standard potting mix fairly quickly in the course of a season. To give plants a midseason nutrient boost, fertilize with a higher phosphorous (the P in the NPK you see on a fertilizer bottle) fertilizer for more flowers, or choose one with higher nitrogen (the N in NPK) for lush foliage. Fertilizing tip: Try fertilizing potted plants (both indoors and outdoors) lightly but frequently. Drop a few tablespoons of your water-soluble fertilizer of choice into a watering can about every other week to perk up summer containers.
Urban homes and those with tight front yards may not have room for a satellite patio, porch or roomy seating area, but most have room to tuck in a bench. For this home in Ashland’s Railroad District, there are only a few feet between the sidewalk and the entry, yet the addition of a snug bench and a wooden arbor to define the space makes it feel cozy and inviting.
Chanticleer pear or capital pear. Pyrus calleryana, or chanticleer pear, is considered by many to be a good street tree because of its tendency not to "litter" leaves. It grows in a pyramidal shape, so it's easy to fit in narrow areas. "For the front yard, my favorite kind of allée [line of trees] is with the chanticleer pear," says Sims. "It softens the expanse of a driveway to help minimize hardscape and provides the visitor with direction to the front door." This allée of chanticleer pear trees is part of a project by Milieu Design. USDA zones: 5 to 8 Height: 24 to 35 feet Color: Dark green leaves in summer; turns fiery orange in fall; deciduous Light requirement: Full sun Water requirement: Regular
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