Choosing the Right Plants - University of Nevada, Reno

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

16 • 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

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 and
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 aban doned 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.,

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 arrange ments. 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’