Granville Family Pharmacy

:: Garden Allergies Can Be A Bloomin' Nuisance!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Garden allergies can be a bloomin’ nuisance!

Do you find yourself sneezing when your spring garden is in bloom? Or finding yourself itching after sitting on the grass. It doesn’t have to be like this in your own garden. Just because you have allergies doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a colourful spring garden. What you need is an allergy free garden!

Having allergies or being overexposed to allergens puts you or your family at greater risk for asthma, so it's important to take care of allergies before they become serious. Allergies run in families, too so if you have allergies, there's a greater chance that your children will develop allergies as well.

Two steps to an allergy free garden?

Step One – Take stock of your current garden

Have a look at what is in your garden now:

Do you have stagnant water lying around?
Is your garden overgrown causing damp areas underneath?
Are their rotting plants lying around?
Do you have a compost heap that could be harbouring mould?
Do your plants attract rusts and aphids? Roses are a perfect example.
Is your grass old buffalo? Is it mowed regularly? There are many new forms of buffalo that are soft-leafed, such as Sir Walter. In general though grass is not ideal for allergy sufferers.
Do you know if your plants are male or female? Try to cut down on how many male trees you have as they produce pollens.......and go for female plants... Get trees grafted so there are less "single men" harming your backyard? It's important to note that some plant species have both male and female elements within a single plant, while others are "only male" or "only female." Ginkgo trees, for example, are either male or female, and it's only the male plant that produces the pollen that can cause allergies. Of course, there can be tradeoffs. Female plants may produce large amounts of seed pods, berries or fruit that may be messy in the garden or landscape setting. The female Ginkgo, for example, produces seeds in a fruit that many people find to have an unpleasant odor. Check horticultural guidebooks or check with your nurseryman for assistance in identifying the sex of plants.
Plants with small, insignificant flowers are most likely to produce large amounts of pollen that are released into the wind and can cause an allergic reaction. Plants that have pretty flowers, attract butterflies and are pollinated by insects
If you can, try changing your mulch for a gravel or stone type rather than pine bark, mulch or compost
Recognise the most common plants that produce an allergic response, including such things as Oaks, Liquidambar, Maple, Elms, Sycamore, Black Acacia, Pecan, Ash, Hazel, Willow, Birch, and Mulberry Trees can all trigger hay fever - but many people don't realise it is caused by the trees' pollen-producing flowers. Allergy sufferers should also try to avoid Cypress, Olive, White Cedar and Privet. If possible, remove the problem plant or tree entirely and replace it with non allergy plants. If they can’t be removed keep them pruned back

Step Two – Actively plant allergy free specimens

Plant trees and flowers that reduce allergies Look for plants that are known as “sneeze free” speciments. Try some of the following:

Grass: Instead of grass, perhaps you could use a groundcover like mondo grass (actually a lily), periwinkle, bugle or archangel.
Flowers: Camellias, daffodil, iris, hydrangeas, fuchsias, native viola, flax, hibiscus, impatiens, nasturtium, pansy, begonia, crocus, poppy, tulip, clematis, peony, zinnia, agapanthus, petunias and roses(without aphids!).
Trees and Shrubs: Yucca, cherry, crabapple, magnolia, poplar, ash, some maples (especially female silver and red maples), azalea, peach, plum, cherry and pear. Native trees such as lilly pillies, Agonis flexuosa, banksias, cabbage palms Climbers could include passion flower, grapevine and bougainvillea. ivy leaf geranium, passionfruit, kiwi fruit, Chilean jasmine, crimson passionfruit, banksia and climbing roses, star jasmine or the native wonga wonga vine, eucalyptus, melaleucas and callistemons are all non-allergenic and great for creating privacy and shade.
Herbs: You can grow many of your favourite herbs in pots or in the garden. Plant Basil, chives, Marjoram, Oregano, Dill, Fennel, Horseradish and Mint. Or like the famous song …. Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. Avoid Wormwood and Chamomile.

Do your gardening after it rains as the pollen count will be lower ....After working in your garden, shower and change clothes because pollen sticks to clothing, skin, and hair

Ask Your Pharmacist about medications and products they have available to help you with asthma and allergy management and control or Contact Us

< back