If you’re affected by a streaming nose and itchy, irritable eyes or asthma while working in the garden, chances are you have a pollen allergy. In my case, the symptoms pass quickly once I retreat indoors or take some antihistamines. However, for some people, symptoms may persist or worsen. The problem may be coming from beyond your garden gate, which makes it more difficult to manage. But ensuring your own back yard is as allergy free as possible is a good start.
AERo-ALLERGENS
These airborne pollens from wind-pollinated plants are the most common cause of allergies. Wind-pollinated plants produce massive amounts of tiny pollen spores that float easily on the breeze. With any luck, some of them land on a plant of like species and pollinate it. Airborne pollen can travel a long way and may even drift indoors through open windows.
The worst aero-allergen offenders include deciduous trees, conifers and grasses. Large deciduous trees including ash, oak, elm, liquidambar, birch, maple and plane trees all produce airborne pollen. Conifers, including cypress and pine, can also be problematic. Wattles, olives and coprosmas produce large amounts of pollen but it tends to land close to the source.
Privet is well known for causing allergies from both its pollen and cloying scent. Lawn grasses produce copious amounts of pollen. oow frequently to prevent flowering or pave over small lawn areas.
oany weeds and members of the daisy family, including chrysanthemum, cosmos, calendula and aster, also have high pollen counts. A good pollen chart can be found at www.allergy.org.nz
oTHER GARDEN ALLERGENS
Potting mixes and composts both contain mould spores, which will rise when the mix is disturbed. Take care handling them and, if you are especially allergic, ask someone else to handle them for you. organic mulches like bark can also be a source of mould spores. only mulch with coarse bark, stones or pebbles. Even trimming hedges can release hidden pollen, dust and spores. In fact, there are few places in the garden where you can escape from allergens completely, but see our tips at right for advice on reducing allergy problems.
REDUCING ALLERGENS
Ascertain which plants trouble you and remove them.
Choose plants that are pollinated by birds and insects, rather than wind-pollinated plants.
Keep your garden weed-free and use inorganic mulch (eg, stones) instead of straw or fine bark.
Plant females only of separate sex (dioecious) species – males produce pollen.
Plant pollen-free plants (these are usually hybrid selections).
Trim allergenic plants before they flower (eg, lawns and hedges).
Avoid gardening on windy days, especially in high-pollen times.
Wear a hat, sunglasses, gloves and long sleeves to keep pollen off your hair, eyes and skin.
Reduce areas of lawn.
LoW ALLERGY CHoICES
The safest plants for a low-allergy garden are those pollinated by birds and insects. These plants have sticky, heavy pollen grains, which do not easily become airborne. Luckily, they tend to be large flowered, flamboyant plants that make a fabulous show in the garden. Good choices include rhododendrons, roses and magnolias. Avoid plants that are very heavily scented, as strong scents can also trigger an allergy.
CoNTACT ALLERGENS
Contact dermatitis is another common allergy caused by contact with certain plants. It ranges in severity from redness and blistering of the skin to nausea, swollen glands, general unwellness and, on occasion, it can be life-threatening.
Plants that cause contact dermatitis are usually hairy, sticky, prickly or contain bitter milky sap. These include: euphorbia, grevillea and primula species, among others. one of the most serious is the wax tree (Toxicodendron succedaneum) – which has beautiful autumn foliage but is highly caustic. oany other plants may cause skin irritations to certain people.
Be aware of any plants that cause you or your family to have allergic reactions and either remove the plants or avoid contact.
NZ PoLLEN SEASoNS
July Pine trees
August – September Deciduous trees
october – February Grasses and weeds
SooE GooD PLANTS
Azalea
Banksia
Camellia
Ceanothus
Flowering
Cherry
Gardenia
Lavender
Natives (not
Coprosma)
Pansy
Pratia
Rosemary
Roses
Westringia
Yucca