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  1. Home
  2. Garden

Why you shouldn't blame flowers for hay fever

So what's the real culprit? - by Rebecca Lowrey Boyd
  • 13 Sep 2019
Why you shouldn't blame flowers for hay fever
Getty

The symptoms are unmistakeable: itchy watery eyes, runny nose and itchy throat. So when the dreaded hay fever returns with the arrival of spring each year, what’s the first thing people blame? Most likely, pollen from flowering plants.

But according to the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney’s director of horticulture, Jimmy Turner, most pollens, especially from flowering plants, are too heavy to flat in the air.

“This time of year, allergy sufferers walk outside, sneeze and then then look for the nearest flowering plant to blame. Just because your neighbour's, wattle is in bloom doesn’t make it the evil culprit,” said Jimmy.

“Pollen on flowering plants usually travel no more than a few inches by wind and these plants rely on butterflies, bees and other pollinators to move their pollen from plant to plant.”

Woman sneezing
Getty

So what’s the real culprit?

“The true cause of our allergies is mostly from wind pollinated grasses and trees, and the one that may be causing your head to feel like it is going to explode, may be thousands of kilometres away from your home,” explained Jimmy.  

“It’s easy to blame flowers because you’ve most likely never noticed ryegrass, couch or other grasses in bloom. The large tree culprits you need to be aware of as well include the London plane, oak, pines and she oaks.”

Woman sneezing with flowers
Getty

Studies reveal that most hay fever is caused by mould, dust and pollen from grass and trees, because these particles are light and easily blown by the wind in large quantities.

So what should you be planting if you’re prone to hay fever?

The best type of low-allergen plants to have in your garden - especially around this type of year - are plants that are pollinated by birds and bees. 

Low-allergen plants for this time of the year include roses, kangaroo paws (native), begonias (native), orchids, snapdragon, native fuschia, nemesia, cut-lead daisy, fan-fower, nodding blue lily and billy buttons (all natives). Asthma Australia released a great list of low-allergen plants this week here.  

Jimmy's top tips for keeping your hay fever at bay

  • Garden early in the morning as pollen levels are lower in the morning
  • Mow your lawn regularly to keep grass pollen down
  • Keep on top of your weeds as these are the cause of most of your pollen issues
  • Choose the right plants in your own landscape ie low-allergen plants, and  
  • Have a good air purifier for indoors during the hay fever season!

You might also like:

The ultimate guide to Australian native flowers

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  • Landscape Design Ideas
Rebecca Lowrey Boyd
Rebecca is the Digital Managing Editor of Better Homes and Gardens.

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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How to plan your spring garden

How to plan your spring garden

How to grow lavender

How to grow lavender

Graham Ross's favourite camellias

Graham Ross's favourite camellias

This is what will happen to your garden without bees

This is what will happen to your garden without bees

{headline}

{headline}

30 flowers and their surprising meanings

30 flowers and their surprising meanings

Behind the scenes at a flower farm

Behind the scenes at a flower farm

Melissa and Charlie’s tips for gardening in winter

Melissa and Charlie’s tips for gardening in winter

{headline}

{headline}

How to grow and care for ranunculus

How to grow and care for ranunculus

What to plant in February

What to plant in February

The ultimate guide to Australian native flowers

The ultimate guide to Australian native flowers

How to make beautiful flower pots at home

How to make beautiful flower pots at home

How to build a pallet wall planter

How to build a pallet wall planter

Graham visits Cloudehill Gardens

Graham visits Cloudehill Gardens

How to grow ginger plants

How to grow ginger plants

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