12 • UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION^
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLANTS FOR NORTHERN NEVADA’S HIGH FIRE HAZARD AREAS
How to use this guide
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLANTS FOR NORTHERN NEVADA’S HIGH FIRE HAZARD AREAS
16 • UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION Full Sun Part Shade < 2’Low-Growing Moderate Low Very Low Deep Water Deep Water Extra Maintenance Temperature
(twice a week) (once a week) (7-14 days)
(7-10 days) (10-14 days)^ Sensitive
Achillea millefolium
Achillea species
< 2’
Yarrow – Yarrow has many heights and
flower colors, depending on the species.
It is good used as a cut or dried flower, in
flower borders, meadow mixes or native
areas. Best grown in full sun, well-drained
soil, and a watering zone that is irrigated
one or two times per week. This plant is
not bothered by rabbits, squirrels or deer.
Use varieties that grow 2 ft. tall or less.
Agastache cana
Bubblegum Mint – As you might guess
from its name, the flowers of this plant smell
like bubblegum.
They are pale
pink to rose pink
and bloom July-
September. Grow
in full sun, well-
drained soil and
water one or two
times per week.
Alcea rosea
Hollyhock – An old-fashioned garden
favorite that can still be found blooming at
many abandoned home sites. Because the
flower spike is so tall, plant away from the
house. Flowers may be white, pink, red,
purple, orange or yellow and bloom
in June. Plant in full sun, any garden soil,
with once-a-week watering. This plant is
not bothered by rabbits, squirrels or deer.
Antirrhinum majus
Snapdragon – These are a cut flower
favorite because of their long vase life and
many colors (pink, red, yellow, white).
They range
in height
from 6 in.
to 3 ft. and
spread 1 ft.
to 2 ft. wide,
depending
on the
variety, so
use the
shorter types.
Plant in full sun with well-drained soil, in a
twice-a-week watering zone and feed while
blooming.
Armeria maritima
< 2’
Sea Pinks – This evergreen perennial has a
clumping, grass-like appearance. The ball-
shaped flower heads may be pink, red or white
and bloom June-August. Plant in full sun and
well-drained soil, water twice a week and feed
annually with slow-release fertilizer. Grows 6-
12 in. tall and about 1 ft. wide, and is suitable
as an edging, in the rock garden or massed
in a planter. This plant is not bothered by
rabbits, squirrels or deer.
Aster species
< 2’
Aster – Asters fall into two categories:
spring-blooming or fall-blooming. They
are prolific bloomers that are often used
in flower arrangements. Plant in full sun
and well-drained soil, and water twice
weekly. They are vigorous growers that
need to be divided every two or three
years. This plant is not bothered by rabbits,
squirrels or deer.
A. frikartii (Frikart’s Daisy)
- 2 ft. tall by 2 ft. wide;
lavender flowers May-July.
Taller plants should be used
sparingly within 30 ft. of the
house:
A. novi-belgii (New York
Aster) – 3 ft. tall by 2 ft. wide; blue, violet
flowers August-September.
Alcea rosea Armeria maritima
Agastache cana
Antirrhinum majus
Aster ‘Eventide’
Bottom of each
page has complete
list of reference
icons
Vital plant
information
Common name
Icons for quick
reference of special
needs and features
Botanical
name
Descriptive
photo
The plants in this guide are alphabetized by their scientific or botanical name, which is fol-
lowed by the common name.
Below the plant name, you'll find a series of icons that gives a quick indication of the special
needs and some qualities of each plant.
The text with each plant gives additional information that should help you to make the best
selection to meet your landscape needs.
