Joshua Siskin writes the weekly gardening column.
Nancee Wells, a field guide in the Dana Point/Laguna Beach area, sent me an email asking about the fire resistance of California native plants. Although California natives will eventually go up in flames in a major conflagration as all plants do, the fire resistance of many native species is significant.
In 2012, the title of the official native plant of the city of Los Angeles was bestowed upon it. Toyon grows in both sunny and somewhat shady locations, in almost any soil, and can go virtually without water after a couple of years in the garden. Its fruit attracts a variety of birds, as well as coyotes and bears, who consume it voraciously as well.
Keep in mind that dead growth in any plant is an invitation to fire so make sure you prune your plants regularly if you live in a wildfire area. It is also true that, when all is said and done, the best defense against wildfire damage is a fire-resistant roof such as those clay tiles you say on Spanish-style homes. Your house may have nothing but gravel surrounding it but if an ember or firebrand blows onto your shingle roof, you may lose everything.