Choosing the Right Plants - University of Nevada, Reno

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

54 • UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

AVOID THESE PLANTS!

Calocedrus decurrens

Calocedrus decurrens

Incense Cedar – This Sierra Nevada native is

valued for its drought tolerance. However, as

with most evergreen trees, it should be planted

at least 30 ft. from the house.

Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’

Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’

Blue Atlas Cedar – This is a beautiful speci-

men plant, but as an evergreen with fine-tex-

tured leaves, it is a fire hazard. It should be

planted at least 30 ft. from the house.

Artemisia species

Sagebrush or Wormwood – These hardy
herbs and shrubs are known for their volatile
oils. As these plants heat up from approaching
fire, they easily ignite and burn intensely. They
include:

A. absinthium (Absinth Wormwood)

A. schmidtiana (Silver Mound)

A. stellerana (Sagewort)

A. tridentata (Big Sagebrush)

Artemisia schmidtiana

Artemisia stellerana

Artemisia absinthium

Calamagrostis acutiflora

Feather Reed Grass – Ornamental grasses have

become popular in landscaping, as they thrive

in a wide range of soils. However, when dry,

they become a fire hazard and should not be

planted near the house.

Calamagrostis acutiflora

Artemisia tridentata