Protect Your Home Against Brushfire: Malibu Nursery Specializes in Fire-Retardant Succulent Plants

Business Wire, Oct 30, 2003

Lifestyle/Home/Gardening Editors

MALIBU, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 2003

Southern California homeowners can arm themselves against devastating brushfire by surrounding their homes with fire-retardant succulent plants, which consist of 90 percent water. Available in a wide array of exotic shapes, sizes and colors, succulents are also drought-resistant, ideal for Southern California's Mediterranean climate.

Hundreds of succulent specimens--including aloe, agave, caudiciforms, stonecrops, euphorbias and cacti--are readily available at Serra Gardens in Malibu. The eight-acre nursery, which is open to the landscape trade, express ships plants anywhere in the U.S. via www.cacti.com. The easy-to-use Web site also provides a wealth of information on succulents and how to grow and care for them, as well as a list of recommended books for further reading. All the plants are fully guaranteed, and discounts are offered on large orders and to repeat customers.

Replacing highly combustible plants, which quickly fuel flames, with water-retaining succulents can be an important step in combating brushfire, according to Serra owner Don Newcomer. "Subtle changes in landscaping around houses and other structures can make a huge difference in a property's ability to retard the spread of fire."

While succulents may broil or bake, they are unlikely to burn. Most will not burst into flame and will not spread fire. In addition, they make beautiful, exotic gardens that thrive in bright sunlight and with good air circulation and drainage. "They do have to be weeded, fed and watered," admonishes Newcomer, "but if you forget to water them, they're more forgiving than other plants. They're perfect for people with a black thumb."

Newcomer, who began growing succulents as a hobby when he was a teenager, now supplies plants and information to hundreds of Southern California gardens. Having operated the nursery for more than 25 years, he is widely respected for his extensive knowledge.

"We grow everything right here, outside under full exposure, and we make and mix our own soil," says Newcomer. "We don't bring in plants from natural habitats; we know exactly how everything has been grown and cultivated."

For more information, visit www.cacti.com or phone 310-456-5142.

EDITORS: Nursery owner Don Newcomer is your expert source on fire-retardant succulent plants and how to grow them to protect property. Call him at 310-456-1572 to arrange an interview at Serra Gardens in Malibu.