California wildrose
Rosa californica
Best suited to areas with more available moisture where dense native habitat is desired.
Sun
Sun–part shade
Water
Low
Soil
Moisture-retentive, adaptable
Slope
Flat–moderate
Mature Height
3–6 ft
Mature Width
8–10 ft
Location
Moist gardens / edges
Maintenance
Low–moderate
Fire-Wise Status
Ecologically appropriate, fire placement requires site evaluation
Wildlife Benefits
Bees, butterflies, birds, species-specific
Ecological Functions
Pollinators, habitat, drought adaptation
Primary Garden Goals
Birds, habitat
Why This Plant?
Best suited to areas with more available moisture where dense native habitat is desired.
Fire Smart Landscaping
High Fire Severity Zone
Ecological candidate — fire review required
HFSZ Fire Screening
Needs additional fire review
LACoFD Landscape Zone
Site-specific / conditional
LACoFD Placement Guide
20 ft from structure minimum
Fire Resilient Landscaping Combines the Right Plant, Place, and Maintainance
No plant is completely fireproof. Fire-resilient landscaping combines the right plant in the right place, with appropriate spacing, irrigation, and ongoing maintenance.
This plant has been evaluated for its characteristics and potential use in wildfire-resilient landscapes, but its performance depends on site conditions—including slope, exposure, surrounding vegetation, proximity to structures, and how the landscape is maintained.
Use the information in this Plant Finder as a planning guide, not a guarantee of fire performance. Always follow current local requirements and site-specific guidance when designing or modifying vegetation around your home.
Deep Dive
Los Angeles County Fire Department
Current guidance on the three ignition zones, plant selection, spacing, and landscape management.
LA County Recovers
Local experts on native plants, landscape design, maintenance, and wildfire resilience in Southern California.
Theodore Payne Foundation
Calscape / California Native Plant Society
Explore California native plants and match plants to local site conditions. LA County also directs residents to Calscape for native-plant resources.
UC ANR Fire Network — Right Plant, Right Place, Right Care
UC ANR specifically notes that all plants can burn under the right conditions and discusses pruning, irrigation, cleanup, spacing, and plant characteristics.
UC ANR Fire Network — Defensible Space
A detailed explanation of the 0–5 ft, 5–30 ft, and 30–100+ ft defensible-space zones, including how vegetation spacing and maintenance change across the landscape.