Wildfire safety has changed the way many gardeners think about the edge of a property. Instead of treating a garden border as nothing more than a pretty transition between lawn and flower beds, gardeners increasingly design these spaces to create separation between vegetation, buildings, and potential fire paths.
A fire-smart border will not make a property fireproof, and no plant deserves the magical label of “fireproof.” Good garden design can, however, reduce the amount of combustible material around a home and make it harder for flames to move directly from one plant to another. The result can still look lush, colorful, and welcoming, which proves that sensible landscaping does not have to resemble a parking lot with three sad shrubs.
