While no plant is entirely fireproof, certain species can help reduce fire risks by acting as natural barriers to flames and embers. Plant selection, strategic landscaping, and ongoing maintenance can help to make your garden less of a bushfire risk.
Fire-retardant trees like maples, citrus trees and elms generally have soft, moist leaves, smooth barks, and low oil content in their foliage. These characteristics make them less likely to catch fire easily. Some common fire-retardant plants recommended by Yarralumla Nursery include:
Trees
- Maple (Acer spp.) – Vibrant foliage, high moisture content, shade-providing.
- Citrus Trees – Waxy leaves, dense canopy, excellent heat resistance.
- Chinese Elm (Ulmus chinensis) – Hardy, deciduous, fire-retardant qualities, adaptable.
- Sticky Wattle (Acacia howittii) – Small, dense, drought-resistant, bright yellow flowers.
- Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata) – Pendulous foliage, drought-tolerant, hardy, windbreak.
- Kurrajong (Brachychiton populneus) – Hardy, drought-resistant, deep roots, shade tree.
- River Sheoak (Casuarina cunninghamiana) – Tall, erosion control, windbreak, drought-tolerant.
- Judas Tree (Cercis siliquastrum) – Pink blossoms, small, ornamental, deciduous.
- Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) – Evergreen, culinary use, drought-tolerant, compact.
- Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) – Evergreen, large white flowers, glossy leaves.
- White Cedar (Melia azedarach var. australasica) – Deciduous, small, purple flowers, shade-providing.
- Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) – Fragrant blooms, deciduous, compact, ornamental.
Shrubs
- Knife-leaf Wattle (Acacia cultriformis) – Golden flowers, drought-tolerant, compact, hardy.
- Flinders Range Wattle (Acacia iteaphylla) – Soft foliage, winter flowering, hardy, drought-tolerant.
- Ovens Wattle (Acacia pravissima) – Golden blooms, weeping habit, compact, frost-tolerant.
- Weeping Wattle (Acacia vestita) – Grey-green foliage, drought-tolerant, ornamental, compact.
- Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata) – Hardy, nectar-rich flowers, wildlife-attracting.
- Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria lasiophylla) – Small flowers, wildlife-attracting, hardy, compact.
- Camellia (Camellia cultivars) – Glossy leaves, showy flowers, shade-tolerant, ornamental.
- Hop Bitter-pea (Daviesia mimosoides) – Small flowers, drought-tolerant, nitrogen-fixing.
- Escallonia (Escallonia species) – Dense foliage, pink flowers, hardy, windbreak.
- Holly Grevillea (Grevillea aquifolium) – Spiky foliage, red flowers, hardy, compact.
- Blue Grevillea (Grevillea shiressii) – Blue-green foliage, flowers year-round, drought-tolerant.
- Royal Grevillea (Grevillea victoriae) – Orange-red flowers, frost-tolerant, compact, hardy.
- Willow-leaf Hakea (Hakea salicifolia) – Hardy, drought-resistant, small white flowers.
- Hydrangea (Hydrangea species) – Long-lasting blooms, shade-tolerant, ornamental, versatile.
- Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) – Evergreen, culinary use, drought-tolerant, compact.
- Mountain Kangaroo Apple (Solanum linearifolium) – Purple flowers, compact, frost-tolerant, hardy.
Groundcovers
- Bugleweed (Ajuga species) – Dense foliage, purple flowers, shade-tolerant, low-growing.
- Alpine Water Fern (Blechnum Penna Marina) – Hardy, compact, shade-loving, evergreen.
- Bulbine Lily (Bulbine bulbosa) – Yellow flowers, drought-resistant, compact, native.
- Weeping Grass (Microlaena stipoides) – Hardy, drought-resistant, erosion control, low-growing.
- Creeping Boobialla (Myoporum parvifolium) – Groundcover, white flowers, drought-tolerant, fast-spreading.
- Cushion Bush (Scleranthus biflorus) – Low-growing, moss-like, drought-tolerant, compact.
- Shiny Swamp-mat (Selliera radicans) – Hardy, creeping, small flowers, salt-tolerant.
- Native Violet (Viola hederacea) – Small purple flowers, shade-tolerant, fast-spreading.
Planting these trees strategically away from your home can create effective windbreaks and heat shields. Remember, regular pruning and clearing of leaf litter are essential for maintaining their effectiveness.
Fire-Prone Trees: What to Avoid
Some trees are more likely to ignite and spread fire due to their high oil or resin content. These species should be planted away from the house or avoided in fire-prone areas. Examples include:
- Eucalyptus (Gum Trees): While iconic, their oil-rich leaves are highly flammable.
- Pines (Pinus spp.): Their needles and resin make them a significant fire risk.
- Bottlebrush (Callistemon spp.): Popular in gardens but prone to catching fire quickly.