Flowers and Allergies

Whilst flowers are beautiful and brighten up all gardens, for allergy sufferers they cause nothing but red eyes, runny noses and itchy skin.

However, what many keen gardeners fail to realize is that not all flowers cause allergic reactions. It has been found that the less hybridized the flower the less pollen it creates and therefore it becomes incredibly unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.

The plants that need to be looking out for are the ones where the pollen can be transferred by the wind.

Here, are some flowers to avoid due to their ability to cause reactions:

Worst flowers for sufferers

The worst flowers for those who suffer from allergies are those from the daisy family, these include:

• Asters
• Dahlias
• Daisies
• Gerber daisies
• Chamomile
• Chrysanthemums
• Sunflowers

However, there are some pollen free sunflower types named: Apricot Twist and Joker. These are hypoallergenic as their pollen is too heavy to be carried by the wind.

Best flowers for sufferers

Believe it or not, there are many flowers available today that are ideal for those who suffer from a pollen allergy. Cactus plants, hosta, and dusty miller are perfect for sufferers but if you are looking for something with a little more color then these options from Serenata Flowers are ideal:

• Azalea
• Begonia
• Bougainvillea
• Camellia
• Clematis
• Columbine
• Geranium
• Orchid

Normally most spring bulbs are extremely low in pollen hence their popularity but it is worth remembering that whilst lilies have a large amount of pollen, it is very simple to remove the stamens with the pollen in. The stamens can stain both clothing and skin though so always remove them with care.

Moreover, it is not just pollen that causes allergic reactions from sufferers. Some flowers are highly fragranced and it is their potent smells that can cause reactions – when in close proximity they can cause headaches and nausea. It is best to keep these plants outside and not indoors.

Some of the highly fragranced plants include:

• Ardenia
• Hyacinth
• Jasmine
• Lilacs

When out in the garden you should remember that it is not only flowers that can cause allergic reactions – but trees too! Many trees are ‘monoecious’ meaning they have male and female flowers or buds whereby the pollen must be carried by the wind to the opposite sex – unfortunately this can lead to pollen going up your nose!

Gardening doesn’t have to be a painful experience through – providing you know which plants to stay away from!

Serenata Flowers offers a five-star flower delivery service in the UK – take a look at our recent special offers and take advantage of our discount codes to get fresh blooms at unbeatable prices. Free delivery in the UK from Monday to Sunday.

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