FireSmart BC Landscaping Hub

Find fire-resistant plants for your climate

Looking to find which fire-resistant plants will grow well in the particular climate that you live in? You’ve come to the right place. Using our tool below, British Columbians can make sustainable plant choices that can minimize the risk of structure damage due to wildfire. FireSmart selections can also be compatible with conserving water and attracting pollinators.

On this page

01 Fire-Resistant Plant Tool 02 Plant Hardiness Zones Explained 03 Plants To Avoid 04 Plant Flammability 05 Ask an Expert
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Fire-resistant plant tool

How to use this tool

Choose your plant type below. When selecting a plant, you’ll need to know which Home Ignition Zone it will be planted in. View the Home Ignition Zones or reference the legend below the chart for more information.

Some columns in the plant chart above are sortable. To sort by a column or change the sorting direction, click on the corresponding column header.

Have a question? Give us a shout at plantprogram@firesmartbc.ca!

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Trees Shrubs Vines and Groundcovers Ornamental Grasses Turf Grasses Perennials and Biennials Annuals Bulbs All Plants

Trees

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There are no results for trees in this zone

Home Ignition Zones▼▲ Common Name▼▲ Scientific Name▼▲ Approx. Mature Height Water Use Sun / Shade▼▲ Attracts Pollinators▼▲ Leaf Types▼▲ Approx. CAD Hardiness Zone(s) USDA Hardiness Zone(s)
Alders – Mountain Alder Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia 6 – 7.5m water drop water drop fs D 6 5
Alders – Red Alder Alnus rubra 13 – 15 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 6 5
Amur Cherry Prunus maackia 10.5 – 13.5 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 3 2
Amur Corktree Phellodendron amurense 9 – 14 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs D 4 3
Amur Maackia Maackia amurensis 6- 9m water drop water drop water drop fs D 4 3
Ash – Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica 12 – 18 m water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop water drop fs D 4 3
Ash – White Ash Fraxinus americana 12 – 18 m water drop water drop water drop fs D 4 3
Bitter Cherry Prunus emarginata 15 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 5 4
Black Cherry Prunus serotina 15 – 18 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 4 3
Black Walnut Juglans nigra 12 – 18+ m water drop water drop water drop fs D 5 4
Blackgum / Black Tupelo Nyssa sylvatica 9 – 15 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 4 3
Butternut Juglans cinerea 12 – 18 m water drop water drop water drop fs D 4 3
Cascara Rhamnus purshiana 9 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 6 5
Catalpa Catalpa speciosa 12 – 15 m water drop water drop water drop fs D 5 4
Chokecherry Prunus virginiana 6- 9m water drop water drop water drop fs Bee D 3 2
Common Hackberry Celtis occidentalis 12 – 15 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 3 2
Crab Apple – Ornamental Malus spp. 4.5 – 6 m water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 5 – 9 4 – 8
Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis 7.5 – 10.5 m water drop water drop water drop fs D 5 4
European Beech Fagus sylvatica 15 – 18 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs D 5 4
Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida 6- 9m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs D 6 5
Flowering Plum Prunus cerasifera 4.5 – 9 m water drop water drop fs Bee D 5 4
Ginkgo / Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba 15 – 25 m water drop water drop water drop fs D 4 3
Golden Chain Tree Laburnum watereri 3.5 – 4.5 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 6 5
Golden Raintree Koelreuteria paniculata 9 – 12 m water drop water drop fs D 6 5
Hawthorn Crataegus spp. 4.5 – 6 m water drop water drop water drop fs D 4 – 5 3 – 4
Honeylocust Gleditsia triacanthos 9 – 21 m water drop water drop fs D 4 3
Hornbeam Carpinus betulus 12 – 18 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs D 5 4
Horsechestnut Aesculus hippocastanum 12 – 15 m water drop water drop water drop fs D 4 3
Japanese Pagoda Tree Sophora japonica 15 – 21 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 5 4
Kentucky Coffee Tree Gymnocladus dioicus 12 – 15 m water drop water drop water drop fs D 4 3
Linden Tilia spp. 18 – 20 m water drop water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop water drop fs D 3 – 6 2 – 5
London Planetree Platanus acerifolia 21 – 30 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 5 4
Madrone Arbutus menziesii 6 – 30 m water drop water drop fs D 8 7
Maple – Japanese Maple Acer palmatum 4.5 – 7.5 m water drop water drop water drop water drop ps Bee D 6 – 7 5 – 6
Maple – Norway Maple Acer platanoides 12 – 15 m water drop water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop water drop fs Bee D 4 3
Maple – Red Maple Acer rubrum 12 – 18 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs Bee D 4 3
Maple – Rocky Mountain Maple Acer glabrum 3 – 4.5 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 5 4
Maple – Silver Maple Acer saccharinum 15 – 21 m water drop water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop water drop fs Bee D 4 3
Maple – Vine Maple Acer circinatum 4.5 – 6 m water drop water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 5 4
Maples – Amur Maple Acer ginnala 4.5 – 6 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 3 2
Maples – Bigleaf Maple Acer macrophyllum 9 – 23 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs Bee D 6 5
Mayday Tree Prunus padus commutata 9 – 12 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 4 3
Mulberry Morus alba 9 – 15 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 5 4
Oaks – Bur Oak Quercus macrocarpa 21 – 24 m water drop water drop water drop fs D 3 2
Oaks – Garry Oak Quercus garryana 12 – 27 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs D 7 6
Oaks – Pin Oak Quercus palustris 15 – 21 m water drop water drop water drop fs D 5 4
Oaks – Red Oak Quercus rubra 18 – 23 m water drop water drop water drop fs D 5 4
Oaks – White Oak Quercus alba 15 – 25 m fs N/A 4 3
Pear Pyrus spp. 9 – 15 m water drop water drop water drop fs D 4 – 9 3 – 8
Pin Cherry Prunus pennsylvanica 12 m water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop fs Bee D 3 2
Poplars – Cottonwood Populus spp. 40 m water drop water drop water drop fs D 3 – 4 2 – 3
Poplars – Quaking Aspen / Trembling Aspen Populus tremuloides 9 – 12 m water drop water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 2 1
Purple Robe Locust (other Black Locusts are invasive) Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Purple Robe’ 9 – 12 m water drop water drop fs D 4 3
Sassafras Sassafras albidum 9 – 18 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 5 4
Schubert Chokecherry Prunus virginiana ‘Schubert’ 6 – 9 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 4 3
Staghorn Sumac Rhus typhina 4.5 – 7.5 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 4 3
Sweetgum Liquidambur styraciflua 18 – 23 m water drop water drop water drop fs D 6 5
Tulip Tree Liriodendron tulipifera 21 – 27 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs D 5 4
Water Birch Betula occidentalis 6 – 9 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 3 2
Weeping Willow Salix babylonica 9 – 12 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs Bee D 6 5

Shrubs

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There are no results for shrubs in this zone

Home Ignition Zones▼▲ Common Name▼▲ Scientific Name▼▲ Approx. Mature Height Water Use Sun / Shade▼▲ Attracts Pollinators▼▲ Leaf Types▼▲ Approx. CAD Hardiness Zone(s) USDA Hardiness Zone(s)
Alpine Currant Ribes alpinum 0.90 – 1.8 m water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 3 2
Antelope Bitterbrush Purshia tridentata 1- 2m water drop water drop water drop fs Bee D 4 3
Barberry Berberis sp. 0.45 – 1.5 m water drop water drop fs D 5 – 10 4 – 9
Beaked Hazelnut / Filbert Corylus cornuta 1.2 – 2.4 m water drop water drop fs-psh D 5 4
Blue-mist Spirea Caryopteris x clandonensis 0.90 – 1.5 m water drop water drop fs-psh D 6 5
Blueberry, Huckleberry Vaccinum spp. 0.15 – 3.5 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 3 – 9 2 – 8
Bog Labrador Tea / Indian Tea / Labrador Tea Rhododendron groenlandicum 0.50 – 01.5 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 3 2
Boxwood, Common Box Buxus sempervirens 1.5 – 4.6 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 6 – 7 5 – 6
Boxwood, Littleleaf Box Buxus microphylla 0.9 – 1.2 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 5 – 7 4 – 6
Buffaloberry / Indian Ice Cream / Soapberry / Soopalallie Shepherdia spp. 1.8 – 3.0 m water drop fs D 3 2
Burning Bush Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ 1.2 – 1.8 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 5 4
California lilac Ceanothus impressus ‘Victoria’ 1.5-2.4 m water drop water drop fs B 8 7
Ceanothus Ceanothus ovatus 60 – 90 cm water drop water drop fs-psh D 5 4
Chokeberry Aronia spp. 1.8 – 3 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 4 – 5 3 – 4
Cinquefoil, Potentilla Potentilla fruticosa 0.3 – 1.2 m water drop water drop fs-psh D 3 2
Common Lilac Syringa vulgaris 1.5 – 4.5 m water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 4 3
Cotoneaster, Cranberry Cotoneaster apiculatus 90 cm water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 5 4
Cotoneaster, Peking Cotoneaster acutifolius 1. 8 – 3 m water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 5 4
Cranberry Bush Viburnum trilobum 1.2 – 3.5 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 3 2
Cranberry, High-bush Viburnum edule 1.8 – 2.5 m water drop water drop water drop fs D 6 5
Creeping Holly Mahonia repens 30 – 45 cm water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 4 3
Daphne, Carol Mackie Daphne x burkwoodii 0.60 – 1.2 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 5 4
Devil’s club Oplopanas horridus 1.8 m water drop water drop water drop water drop sh D 5 4
Double Flowering Plum / Flowering Almond Prunus triloba 3.5 – 4.5 m water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 4 3
Dwarf Cherry Laurel Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’ 1.2-1.8 m water drop water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 7 6
Elderberry Sambucus spp. 1.5 – 9 m water drop water drop fs-psh D 4 – 6 3 – 5
Firethorn / Pyrcantha Pyracantha coccinea 1.8 – 5.5 m water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 7 6
Forsythia Forsythia spp. 2.5 – 3 m water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop fs D 5 – 6 4 – 5
Fraser Photinia Photinia x fraseri 4.5 – 6 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 9 8
Glossy Abelia Abelia x grandiflora 0.9-1.8 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 7 6
Grey Lavender, Lavender Cotton, Santolina Santolina chamaecyparis 30 – 60 cm water drop water drop fs D 7 6
Heather Calluna vulgaris 10 – 60 cm water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 5 4
Japanese Kerria Kerria japonica 0.9 – 1.8 m water drop water drop water drop ps D 5 4
Japanese Pieris Pieris japonica 2.7 – 3.6 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 6 5
Mahala Mat Ceanothus prostratus 2.5 – 7.5 cm water drop water drop fs D 7 6
Mock Orange Philadelphus sp. 1.8 – 2.4 m water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 5 4
Nanking Cherry Prunus tomentosa 1.8 – 3 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 3 2
Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius 1.5 – 3 m water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 3 2
Oakleaf Hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia 1.2 – 1.8 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 6 5
Oceanspray Holodiscus discolor 1.8 – 2.7 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 6 5
Orchid Rockrose Cistus purpureus 0.90 – 1.20 m water drop water drop fs B 9 8
Oregon Boxwood Paxistima myrtifolia 0.30 – 1.2 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 6 5
Oregon Grape Mahonia aquifolium 1.5 – 1.8 m water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee B 4 3
Pacific Rhododendron Rhododendron macrophylum 1.8 – 3.6 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 7 6
Point Reyes Ceanothus Ceanothus gloriosus 30 – 90 cm water drop water drop fs-psh B 8 7
Portuguese Laurel Prunus lusitanica 3 – 6 m water drop water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 8 7
Privet Ligustrum spp. 1.8 – 4.5 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 4 – 9 3 – 8
Purple-Leaf Sand Cherry Prunus cistena 2- 3m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 3 2
Quince Chaenomeles spp. 0.6 – 3 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 5 4
Rabbitbrush / Rabbitbush Ericameria nauseosa 1m water drop fs Bee D 4 3
Raspberry Rubus sp. 2 – 150 cm water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 4 – 6 3 – 5
Red-flowering Currant Ribes sanguineum 3m water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 6 5
Redosier Dogwood / Red-twig Dogwood Cornus sericea 2.1 – 3m water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop water drop fs D 3 2
Rock Daphne Daphne cneorum 30 cm water drop water drop water drop ps B 5 4
Rose of Sharon Hibiscus syriacus 2.5 – 3.5 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 6 5
Rose, Rugosa Rosa rugosa ‘Hansa’ 1.5 – 1.8 m water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 3 2
Rose, Wood’s Rosa woodsii 0.90 – 1.8 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 5 4
Salal Gaultheria shallon 0.30 – 3 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 7 6
Saskatoon /Serviceberry Amelanchier sp. 2.5 – 3.5 m water drop water drop fs-psh D 5 4
Siberian Peashrub Caragana arborescens 4.5 – 6 m water drop – water drop water drop fs-psh D 3 2
Silverberry Elaeagnus commutata 1. 8 – 3.5 m water drop water drop fs D 3 2
Smoke Tree Cotinus coggygria 3 – 4. 5 m water drop water drop fs D 5 4
Snowberry Symphoricarpos albus 1.2 – 1.8 m water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 4 3
Spirea Spiraea spp. 0.60 – 1.2 m water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 4 3
Spirea, Hardhack / Western Spiraea douglasii 0.90 – 1.8 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 5 4
Strawberry Tree Arbutus unedo 1.8-4.5 m water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 8 7
Sumac, Fragrant Rhus aromatica 0.6 – 1.8 m water drop fs-psh D 4 3
Sumac, Oakleaf Rhust trilobata 2.1 m water drop water drop fs-psh D 4 3
Sumac, Smooth Rhus glabra 2.75 – 4.5 m water drop water drop fs-psh D 3 2
Tallhedge Glossy Buckthorn Rhamnus frangula 2.5 – 3.5 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 3 2
Tatarian Honeysuckle Lonicera tatarica 3 – 3.5 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 4 3
Western Azalea Rhododendron occidentale 1.5 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 7 6
Western Chokecherry Prunus virginiana 5.5 – 7.5 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 3 2
Western Mountain Ash Sorbus scopulina 5m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 3 – 5 2 – 4
Western Sandcherry Prunus besseyi 1.2 – 1.8 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 4 3
Willow Salix spp. 1.8 – 3 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs Bee D 3 2
Witchhazel Hamamelis spp. 1.8 – 9 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 4 – 6 3 – 5

Vines and Groundcovers

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Note:  Where vines are used is an important factor as they have the potential to act as ladder fuels.

There are no results for vines and groundcovers in this zone

Home Ignition Zones▼▲ Common Name▼▲ Scientific Name▼▲ Approx. Mature Height Water Use Sun / Shade▼▲ Attracts Pollinators▼▲ Leaf Types▼▲ Approx. CAD Hardiness Zone(s) USDA Hardiness Zone(s)
Beach Wormwood / Dusty Miller Artemisia stelleriana 20 cm water drop water drop fs B 4 3
Carpet Bugle Ajuga reptans 10 – 25 cm water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 5 4
Clematis Clematis spp. 1.5 – 1.8 m water drop water drop water drop water drop ps D 4 – 6 3 – 5
Climbing Hydrangea Hydrangea anomala petiolaris 12 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 6 5
Climbing Rose Rosa setigera 1.0 – 4.5 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 5 4
Clover Trifolium spp. 10 – 20 cm water drop water drop water drop fs-psh Bee D 4 3
Cotoneaster, Horizontal Cotoneaster horizontalis 60 – 90 cm water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 5 4
Cottoneaster, Bearberry Cotoneaster dammeri 30 – 45 cm water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 6 5
Creeping Potentilla / Spring Cinquefoil Potentilla neumanniana ‘Nana’ 5 – 10 cm water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 5 4
Dead Nettle Lamium sp. 10 – 30 cm water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 4 3
Grapes Vitis spp. 6 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 6 5
Hardy Kiwi Vine Actinidia kolomikta 6 m water drop water drop water drop ps D 6 5
Honeysuckle Lonicera sp. spread 3+ m water drop water drop fs-psh D 5 4
Hops Humulus lupulus 5 m water drop water drop fs D 6 5
Japanese Spurge Pachysandra terminalis 15 – 20 cm water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 6 5
Kinnickinnick Arctostaphylos uva-ursi 10 – 20 cm water drop – water drop water drop fs-psh Bee B 3 2
Lily-turf Liriope spicata 20 – 30 cm water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 5 4
Perrenial Sweet Pea Lathyrus latifolius 1.8-2.7 m water drop water drop fs-psh D 4 3
Pussytoes Antennaria rosea 10 – 30 cm water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop fs D 5 4
Sedum / Stonecrop (creeping) Sedum sp. 5 – 30 cm water drop fs-psh Bee D 4 3
Silver Spreader Artemisia caucasica 15 – 20 cm water drop water drop fs-psh B 5 4
Snow-In-Summer Cerastium tomentosum 15 – 30 cm water drop water drop fs-psh B 4 3
Thrift Armeria maritima 15 – 25 cm water drop water drop fs-psh B 5 4
Thyme Thymus spp. 1 cm water drop water drop fs B 4 – 6 3 – 5
Trumpet Vine Campsis radicans 6 – 12 m water drop water drop water drop fs D 5 4
Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia 9 – 15+ m water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop fs-sh D 4 3
Wintercreeper Euonymus fortunei 10 – 15 cm water drop water drop water drop fs-sh B 5 4
Wintergreen Gaultheria procumbens 15 cm water drop water drop water drop fs-psh B 4 3
Wisteria Wisteria spp. 10 m water drop water drop water drop fs-psh D 7 6

Ornamental Grasses

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There are no results for ornamental grasses in this zone

Home Ignition Zones▼▲ Common Name▼▲ Scientific Name▼▲ Approx. Mature Height Water Use Sun / Shade▼▲ Attracts Pollinators▼▲ Leaf Types▼▲ Approx. CAD Hardiness Zone(s) USDA Hardiness Zone(s)
Blue Grama Grass / Mosquito Grass Bouteloua gracilis 30 cm water drop – water drop water drop fs N/A 4 3
Bulrushes Scirpus spp. 1 – 1.5 m water drop water drop water drop water drop fs N/A 4 3
Fescue, Blue Festuca glauca 10 – 20 cm water drop water drop fs-psh N/A 5 4
Junegrass Koeleria macrantha 30 – 60 cm water drop water drop water drop fs-psh N/A 5 4
Muttongrass Poa fendleriana 30 – 60 cm water drop water drop ps N/A 4 3
Needle-and-thread Grass / Porcupine Grass Hesperostipa comata * 90 cm water drop water drop fs-psh N/A 4 3
Orchardgrass Dactylis glomerata 30 – 60 cm water drop water drop fs-psh N/A 6 5
Ryegrass Lolium spp. 30 – 80 cm water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop fs N/A 5 – 7 4 – 6
Sand Dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus 1m water drop water drop fs N/A 6 5
Sandberg Bluegrass Poa secunda 30 cm water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop fs N/A 3 2
Sedges Carex spp. 30 – 45 cm water drop water drop water drop water drop fs-psh N/A 5 – 9 4 – 8
Squirreltail Grass Elymus elymoides 30 – 60 cm water drop water drop ps N/A 4 3
Wheatgrass, Crested Agropyron cristatum 50 – 100 cm water drop fs N/A 4 3
Wheatgrass, Western Pascopyrum smithii 30 – 90 cm water drop water drop fs N/A 6 5

Turf Grasses

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There are no results for turf grasses in this zone

Home Ignition Zones▼▲ Common Name▼▲ Scientific Name▼▲ Approx. Mature Height Water Use Sun / Shade▼▲ Attracts Pollinators▼▲ Leaf Types▼▲ Approx. CAD Hardiness Zone(s) USDA Hardiness Zone(s)
Buffalograss Buchloe dactyloides 10 cm water drop water drop – water drop water drop water drop <