Less Allergenic Gardening
Star-Tip 1014	Gardening Tips for successful and beautiful Landscapes and Gardens

Plants that are insect pollinated are usually considered safer for allergic individuals. These plants are usually very colorful or fragrant. The following trees and shrubs have been found to be less allergenic to most individuals.

Some Good Guys!

Trees

Apple Cherry Crabapple Dogwood

Fir Hawthorn Hope Chestnut Magnolia

Pear Plum Tulip tree

Flowers and Shrubs

Azalea Begonia Bougainvillea Cacti Clematis Columbine Coneflower Crocus Daffodil Daisy

Dusty Miller Geranium Gladiola Hibiscus Hollyhock Hosta Hyacinth Hydrangea Impatiens Iris Irish moss

Larkspur Lavender Lilac Lily Narcissus Orchid Pansy Periwinkle Petunia Phlox Poppies

Ranunculus Redbud Roses Snapdragon Sunflower Tulip Verbena Vinca Violet Yucca Zinnia

Source: American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

The plants listed above are “GENERALLY” less likely to cause allergic reactions. Everyone has differing sensitivities, and some of these plants may not be right for you!

It is not possible to completely avoid pollen, unless perhaps, you blast off on the space shuttle, or take a very long ocean voyage. If you have a sneeze-inducing plant in your yard, try hosing it off daily during its pollinating season, to wash the pollen off the tree and into the ground. Wear a mask when working around pollinating trees and shrubs, and if your allergy is really bad, wear long sleeved shirts and long pants, and wash them (and you!) when you're done. And finally, save up your money and see an allergy specialist. He (or she) can tell you exactly what you are reacting to, as well as prescribe medicines that help fight the symptoms which make us all so miserable.

Caution and Careful Planning can Reduce Reactions

The most common outdoor allergen is pollen. In our gardens and yards, trees, grasses and weeds are responsible for most allergies. They have smaller, dry pollens that float through the air. Plants with bright flowers attract bees and other insects to carry away their larger, waxy pollen

Most plants release pollen in the early morning, between 5 and 10 am, so avoid gardening activities during these hours. By late afternoon, pollen is higher in the sky but there may be more of it.

Allergy sufferers should avoid the following:
TREES:		GRASSES & WEEDS:
Alder	Maple (male)	Bermuda Grass
Ash (male)	Mulberry	Castor Bean
Aspen	Oak	Fescue
Beech Birch	Russian Olive	Johnson
Box Elder	Pecan	June Grass
Cedar	Pine	Kentucky Bluegrass
Cottonwood	Poplar (male)	Lamb's Quarters
Cypress	Privet (male)	Perennial Rye
Elm	Sycamore	Redtop
Hickory	Walnut	Saltgrass
Juniper	Willow (male)	Sweet Vernal

Source: American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Careful and patient selection of your shrubs and trees, as well as prudent timing for your activities can go a long way towards a happier and healthier you!

© 2006, Star Nursery, Inc.                                                    Copy Provided courtesy of Star Nursery www.StarNursery.com