Within 30 feet of the house, emphasize the use of herbaceous (non-woody) plants. This includes lawn, erosion-control grasses, some ground covers, annual and perennial flowers, and bulbs. Low-growing plants (less than two feet in height), deciduous shrubs, and deciduous trees may also be good choices in this area. When possible, choose small, slow-growing plants that are green and moist during the fire season and that do not accumulate plant debris. Separate these less flammable plants from the house with a strip of non-flammable landscape features, such as wide pathways and planters built of rock or brick, and with flowers that have high moisture content, such as daylilies, begonias, and geraniums. Make sure you can easily keep this area well watered and free of leaf and needle accumulations. Contact your Cooperative Extension office to ask about plant species adapted for your area that have these characteristics. Beyond 30 feet, plant selection is less of a concern. Maintenance, such as pruning and irrigation, and plant placement in the landscape are just as important as plant selection when creating an effective defensible space.

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