Allergy-friendly flowers

Pollens fill the air at this time of year, exacerbating hay fever, sinus conditions, and breathing problems such as asthma, amongst others.

Spring and summer are prime seasons for flowers so there’s more pollen in the air than usual. Despite that, it’s possible to enjoy a colourful garden without sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny noses. Many plants make little to no airborne pollen. These include begonia, cactus, chenille, clematis, columbine, crocus, daffodil, geranium, hosta, impatiens, iris, pansy, periwinkle, petunia, phlox, rose, salvia, snapdragon, thrift, tulip, verbena, and zinnia.

Try planting azalea, hibiscus, hydrangea, and viburnum shrubs, and apple, cherry, dogwood, crepe myrtle, magnolia, pear, plum, and red maple trees. Usually the largest, brightest flowering plants have heavy and sticky pollen that doesn’t blow very far. Small flowers that don’t have much colour often produce huge quantities of light and dusty pollen that can travel great distances on the wind.

Flowers to avoid include aster, baby’s breath, dahlia, chamomile, chrysanthemums, daisies, goldenrod, and ordinary sunflowers.