Southern California Firescape: Fire-Resistant Demonstration Garden

After a 1996 firestorm burned 100+ homes and 8,600 acres in Elfin Forest, residents researched fire-resistant plants. Volunteers installed a 1/3-acre Firesafe Demonstration Garden beside the fire station. Beyond the info kiosk: drifts of low-growing water-retaining plants (ice plants, ivy geraniums) segue into larger succulents, shrubs, and trees like coast live oak. Plants overlap and flow, creating a beautiful, duplicable garden.

INFO: Elfin Forest and Firesafe Demonstration Garden (dawn-dusk, free; 20223 Elfin Forest Rd.) west of Escondido. Elfin Forest Garden Festival Apr 24, 2004 (10-4, $20; Elfin Forest Nursery).