4 Best Flowers for Allergy-Suffering Gardeners

How does an allergy-laden flower enthusiast know which flowers to plant and which to avoid? Flowers can brighten a friends day, give oxygen to a stuffy room or add a colorful flair to an otherwise boring landscape. Sadly, some lovely floral accents can also be a pain to those who suffer allergies as a result of the flowers' fragrance or pollen. Here are four recommended flowers that a mild allergy sufferer can likely plant with fewer ill effects. Not everyone has the same allergies, so some people might still react to these flowers, but they are usually a good bet for most allergy-sensitive individuals.

Peruvian Lily (Alstroemeria)

A common flower used in professional cut bouquets, the alstroemeria has the allergy-friendly distinction of having no fragrance. Because it lacks an offensive scent, it can safely be planted near allergy sufferers or gifted to recipients who are sensitive to floral fragrance. One drawback to the Peruvian lily is that the sap can cause signficant skin irritation on contact, so gardeners working with this plant should wear protective gloves.

Amaryllis

With its delicate, lily-like flowers but reduced floral scent in comparison, the amaryllis family is a good family of flower choices for allergy sufferers who like the look of lilies but react badly to the pollen. The flowers of the amaryllis family are usually red, white, pink or a combination of colors.

Periwinkle

Periwinkle, with its tiny flowers, is particularly prized for its low allergenic effects. One variety of periwinkle, the Madagascar periwinkle, is well-known for its exceptionally low pollen activity and makes a great landscaping plant with low allergy effects. Periwinkle likes well-drained soil and decent amount of sun, and its flowers thrive in warm climates.

Tulips

Though excessive handling of tulip bulbs without gloves can cause a rash, tulip allergens in the air are generally low. These fleshy flowers come in a variety of colors and schemes, including yellow, white, orange, red and multicolored. Tulips prefer a well-drained soil in a sunny area that does not get direct sun during the hottest part of the day.

To Avoid:
Stargazer Lilies

The excessive pollen and strong fragrance of stargazer lilies makes them an unfriendly choice for allergy-prone individuals. Stargazer lilies can be identified by their large pink and white blooms with pink spots on them. Another characteristic is stargazer lilies' visibly large pollen balls at each end of the stamen. In addition to their allergy unpleasantness, these pollen balls can stain furniture and clothing.

References:

Tulip Care
Madagascar Periwinkle
Amaryllis Planting and Care