INTRODUCTION
Allergy is a reaction to a stimulus that it doesn't like. It might be a swelling, an itch, a wheeze or even a cough.
Plants reproduce by giving off pollen that is transported by insects or a simple breeze. Even your garden lawn can cause you problems.
It is important to remember that the perfume of even the low allergy plants I have suggested may affect some people.
Another problem is that some people may not be affected by the flower, but could be allergic to some other part of the plant which can cause dermatitis. Avoid growing hedges that need to be trimmed quite frequently. Hedges tend to collect dust and give off great loads of pollen.
WIND POLLINATING PLANTS
Plants which rely on wind are the most important type to avoid and should not be planted in areas near doorways, windows or places that allergy affected people frequently use.
I remember a person some time ago taking all the shrubs out of her garden because she suffered from hayfever.
She ended up ten times worse, simply because the shrubs in her garden were filtering out the wind carrying pollen from the shrubs and trees next door.
INSECT AND BIRD POLLINATING PLANTS
These are plants whose flowers use birds or insects to transfer the pollen from flower to flower.
FLOWERS FOR THE GARDEN
Most people tend to think that low allergy gardens are drab, colourless and boring. Well - they are wrong. By using selected types of perennials and annuals, you can create a very spectacular display. Most large or brightly coloured flowers are pollinated by insects or birds. Here are a few suggestions:-
- Ageratum:- long lasting annuals which can be planted in spring for summer flowering. They make ideal window box plants.
- Alyssum:- these plants can be used for garden borders, rockeries, or in between flag stones. They make attractive ground cover plants and will self seed each year.
Plant them in full sun or semi-shade.
- Antirrhinum:- or commonly known as snapdragon - annual plants having striking flowers of red, orange, yellow or white flowers.
- Begonias:- these are plants that are ideal for shady positions.
- Bulbs:- are good for people with allergies, but the actual bulb can cause dermatitis in some people. As you know the flowers come in all shapes and sizes.
- Delphinium:- are large growing annuals with many small flowers which appear along the tips.
- Digitalis:- or commonly known as foxglove produce long pink bell shaped flowers.
- Gaura:- commonly known as the Butterfly Bush.
- Impatiens:- also called balsam.
- Pansy and Viola:- will give a vivid colour range, from pastel to bright colours. Ideal for summer flowers.
- Petunias:- great for hot spots.
- Verbena:- these plants come in a variety of sizes and shapes - a brilliant colour range.
- Pansy and Viola:- will give a vivid colour range, from pastel to bright colours. Ideal for summer flowers.
SHRUBS
Selecting the right type of shrub is important for a low allergy garden. You can use a wide range of colourful foliage shrubs so long as their flowers are the type that need to be pollinated by insects, bees and bird.
Abelia grandiflora.
Azaleas.
Banksia.
Boronia heterophylla.
Callistemon.
Camellias.
Choisya ternata.
Coleonema alba.
Correa.
Erica.
Escallonia.
Lavandula dentata.
Melaleuca armillaris.
Pittosporum "Tom Thumb".
Plumbago.
Viburnum opulus.
Weigela florida. (rose trumpet flowers)
Westringia fruticosa
TREES
Make a selection of trees that are low allergen and whose pollen is not carried by the wind. For example - the Wattles.
Acmena. lilly pilly
Agonis flexuosa.
Citrus trees.
Eucalyptus ficifolia.
Grevillea robusta.
Lauris nobilis. sweet bay
Malus floribunda.
Prunus.
CLIMBERS
Climbing plants are needed in most gardens to cover up a fence in a narrow garden or just to add as a screen to hide away an area that doesn't look pleasing to the eye.
The foliage can sometimes be just as attractive as the flowers and there is a reasonable range to choose from for a low allergy
garden. Remember, some people are affected by some perfumes, so check the flower out before you purchase your plants.
Actinidia deliciosa Kiwi fruit or Chinese gooseberry
Clematis.
Kennedia rubicunda. Dusky coral pea
Mandevilla laxa. Chilean jasmine
Pelargoniium peltatum. Ivy leaf geranium.
Passiflora edulis. Passion fruit
Solanum jasminoides. Jasmin nightshade or Potato creeper
Trachelospermum jasminoides Star jasmine
GROUND COVERS
Ground cover plants are a great way to replace lawns and they also help to choke out weeds that carry high pollen loads. They can climb up embankments or trail down, making a colourful canopy in most cases where lawns will not grow successfully. The thicker you cover the ground with plants, the less you have to mulch. Ground covers replace lawns, which means less mowing and
work plus the added bonus of not having to wear a mask.
Ajuga. "Burgundy Lace"
Campanula. Canterbury bells
Cerastium tomentosum. Snow in summer
Dichondra repens.
Ferns.
Leptospermum.
Myoporum.
Pratia.
Rosmarinus officinalis. prostrate form
Scaevola.
Thymus.
Vinca major variegata. Periwinkle
Viola hederacea Native violet.
LAWNS
Always wear a face mask if you find you are wheezing or sneezing after or while cutting any type of grass.
Mowing would have to be a major cause of asthma due to the loads of pollen being sent in airborne clouds. Mould spores that cling to the grass are flung into the air and when breathed in will set off a trigger action within your body.
- Always mow the lawn when there is dew still on the grass.
- When gardening close to a lawn area, wet the grass down before you start.
- Mow as often as you need to keep the grass flowers cut down.
BUFFALO grass is low in pollen but it does cause itchy skin with some people.Dichondra repens. Kidney weed.
MULCHES
Asthma experts will tell you that the best type of mulches are
inorganic types such as pebbles, gravel and rocks. The only trouble
is that they can make the garden look dry and have the appearance
of a desert in our climate.
I have found the next best thing is to use Pine Bark, Red Gum
Chips or Wood Chips as these will take a long time to break down.
The small court yard garden can be covered with coarse Orchid
Bark.
For those people who insist on using mulches that break down fast,
I would suggest that you use a mask when turning or moving the mulch.
The little disturbance made will decrease your chances of an asthma
attack.
COMPOSTING
Compost depends on moulds and bacteria to break down the contents
of the heap. The moulds and bacteria could produce severe asthma
in people who are sensitive.
DO NOT PLANT THESE
I have listed a few varieties for you to consider removing from the garden or deleting from your planting list.
Most people blame the neighbours for their allergies, just because there is that certain tree or shrub growing over the fence. Wind blown trees have heavy pollen and in most cases it drops straight to the ground, so don't stand directly under the trees when they are flowering.
On windy days, stay inside if you can or put on a face mask.
Pollen and mould spores from many plants can trigger asthma attacks, hay-fever and other allergies. This can make life a misery for many people, especially during Spring and Summer. Reduce these outdoor allergens by controlling pollen and mould spores in the garden, especially near windows and doors, we can help reduce the symptoms of some people's allergies and asthma and in turn improve their quality of life.
