Garden Friends and Foes For Allergy Sufferers

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Story Published: Mar 14, 2008 at 1:00 PM CST

Story Updated: Mar 14, 2008 at 1:00 PM CST

Do seasonal allergies keep you out of the garden?

The good news is that with proper planning and preventative steps, you can design a beautiful home garden that won’t aggravate your allergies.

“Allergy sufferers need to be selective in their choice of plants, as some plants cause fewer reactions than others,” explains Leta Collins, FNP. “Taking steps to avoid allergy-inducing plants can help make it possible for gardening allergy sufferers to continue their hobby and enjoy being outdoors from spring through fall.”

Gardening Friends and Foes

FOES

Allergy suffers want to avoid plants that “mate” by releasing pollen grains into the wind. Examples include:

· Grasses - Bermuda, Fescue, Johnson, June, Orchard, Perennial Rye, Redtop, Salt Grass, Sweet Vernal, Timothy
· Shrubs - Cypress, Juniper
· Trees - Alder, Ash, Aspen, Beech, Birch, Box Elder, Cedar, Cottonwood, Elm, Hickory, Maple, Mulberry, Oak, Olive, Palm, Pecan, Pine, Poplar, Sycamore, Walnut, Willow
· Weeds - Poison Ivy/Oak/Sumac, Cocklebur, Pigweed, Ragweed, Russian Thistle, Sagebrush

FRIENDS

Allergy sufferers should consider plants that rely on insects for cross-pollination.

These plants usually have “heavy” pollen and need insects to transfer the pollen from plant to plant.

Examples include:

· Flowering Plants - Begonia, Cactus, Chenille, Clematis, Columbine, Crocus, Daffodil, Daisy, Dusty Miller, Geranium, Hosta, Impatiens, Iris, Lily, Pansy, Periwinkle, Petunia, Phlox, Fose, Salvia, Snapdragon, Sunflower, Thrift, Tulip, Verbena, Zinnia
· Grasses - St. Augustine
· Shrubs - Azalea, Boxwood, English Yew, Hibiscus, Hydrangea, Viburnum
· Trees - Apple, Cherry, Chinese Fan Palm, Fern Pine, Dogwood, English Holly, Hardy Rubber Tree, Magnolia, Pear, Plum, Red Maple

If you suspect allergies, the first step is to see a doctor and find out what you are allergic to.

This will help you know which plants you should avoid.

An allergist can help you develop strategies to avoid allergic reactions and can prescribe medications to alleviate symptoms.

SOURCE: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, http://www.aaaai.org/patients/advocate/2006/spring/
gardening.asp (accessed February 14, 2008).
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=19&cont=470 (accessed February 14, 2008).

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