How to Enjoy Flowers and Stay Allergy Free

People love to see flowers all year round but sometimes the pollen in flowers can set off an allergic reaction to those who are sensitive to the pollen they emit. Hay fever is caused by an allergic reaction to the pollen given off by flowers and grasses. It therefore usually presents itself during the spring and summer. So, flowers in the home and garden, while pleasing to the eye can cause terrible suffering to the nose of a hay fever sufferer at any time of the year.

There are ways to ease this discomfort and still enjoy a colourful natural garden. Most importantly if you enjoy gardening but suffer from Hay Fever, you should check the weather forecast and if the pollen count is high, it would be more advisable to avoid going out in the garden. Instead, you might enjoy your flowers from a window or sitting in the conservatory.

If you suffer from Hay Fever, when planning your flower garden, your aim should be to go for low-pollen landscapes and this can be achieved through choosing as many female plants as possible because it is the male plants that produce pollen. Sometimes it isn't easy to distinguish one from the other but one way is to avoid labels that say 'seedless' or 'fruitless' as these are the male plants and they are more likely to trigger an allergy.

A great way to enjoy flowers and stay allergy free is to plant a rose garden. Not only do roses flower for a good percentage of the year but they are known to be good for allergy suffers. The pollen they produce is quite large in size so less likely to be lifted by the wind. Another tip is to choose roses with the least aroma as these will also contain the least pollen!

Other flowers you might enjoy and stay allergy free are exotic flowers and orchids. Few orchids trigger Hay Fever although they can occasionally cause a skin rash! Although you should avoid flowering trees, there are some fabulously colourful and handsome pollen-free flowers such as begonias and clematis with beautiful green foliage. Remember it is the female plant to go for, thus with no pollen to produce your allergy free garden.

When you are outside in the garden, tending your flowers, your aim should be to keep exposure to pollen to a minimum. Wear gardening gloves and even a face mask in case your hands accidentally brush your face while working outdoors.

Silk and other alternative flowers are of course a perfect way to enjoy flowers in your house without triggering your allergy but with careful thought and planning you can enjoy fresh flowers in the home or your garden and stay allergy free.