Choosing the Right Plants - University of Nevada, Reno

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLANTS FOR NORTHERN NEVADA’S HIGH FIRE HAZARD AREAS

40 • UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION < 2’

Full Sun Part Shade Low-Growing (twice a week) Moderate (once a week) Low (7-14 days) Very Low (7-10 days) Deep Water (10-14 days) Deep Water Extra Maintenance Temperature Sensitive

Spiraea japonica ‘Little Princess’

Spiraea bumalda ‘Limemound’

Spiraea x vanhouttei

Spiraea species

< 2’

Spiraea – Spiraea are deciduous shrubs that
adapt well to many garden locations, from full
sun to partial shade. All prefer well-drained
soil, watering once or twice a week and
annual pruning after flowering. Not bothered
by rabbits, squirrels or deer.

S. x bumalda (Spiraea) – All varieties of bum-
alda are 2-4 ft. tall by 4-8 ft. wide; bronze young
leaves; dark pink flowers.

S. japonica ‘Alpina’ – 2 ft. tall by 3 ft. wide;
pink flowers in summer.

S. j. ‘Little Princess’ – 20 in. tall by 3 ft. wide;
rose-red flowers.

Taller plants should be used sparingly with-

in 30 ft. of the house:

S. bumalda ‘Anthony Waterer’ – Maroon

tinged leaves; dark pink flowers.

S. b. ‘Crispa’ – Twisted, serrated leaves; pink

flowers June-July.

S. b. ‘Froebelii’ – Taller (3-4 ft.); rose-red flow-

ers.

S. b. ‘Goldflame’ – Bronze-red young leaves,

turning bright yellow, then mid-green, then

orange, red and yellow in fall; dark pink flowers.

S. b. ‘Limemound’ – Very dwarf; lime-green

foliage; pink flowers; orange-red fall color.

S. japonica (Japanese Spiraea) – 4 ft. tall by 4

ft. wide; pinkish red flowers.

S. j. ‘Shirobana ’ – 3 ft. tall by 3 ft. wide; white,

pink and red flowers on same plant.

S. x vanhouttei – 8 ft. tall by 10 ft. wide;

large fountain-like branches that curve to the

ground; white flowers April-May.

Symphoricarpos albus

Symphoricarpos albus

30’

Snowberry – Snowberry grows 3-6 ft.

tall by 3-6 ft. wide. It has white flowers

in June that become white berries in fall

and last into winter. Tolerant of heat, cold,

wind, drought and poor soil. Plant in full

sun to partial shade and well-drained soil,

and water once a week. This plant is not

bothered by rabbits, squirrels or deer.

Syringa vulgaris

30’

Common Lilac – This is an old garden

favorite prized for its light purple flowers that

appear in May. It is a large, coarse shrub when

out of flower, so consider using it in the back

of a border, or as

a hedge or screen.

Grow in full sun

and well-drained

soil with compost

added, and apply

water once or twice

a week. Prune after

flowering in spring.

Lilac grows 10 ft.

tall by 10 ft. wide.

This plant is not

bothered by rabbits,

squirrels or deer.

Syringa vulgaris