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If you’re an allergy sufferer, you will have some difficulties enjoying the beauty of a summer garden. It’s not fun getting stifled by pollen that quickly aggravates allergy symptoms. Thankfully, not all flowers activate your unpleasant allergy response in the same manner. You can remain sniffle-free by choosing to add allergy-friendly flowers to your yard.
You will be surprised to find out that many fragrant garden flowers don’t trigger your hay fever. There are lots of plants whose flowers don’t rely on wind dispersal to handle the pollination process. That being said, it’s important to remember that highly fragrant flowers can still have strong irritating potential even without causing allergy issues. Discover the most hypoallergenic flowers out there so you can still enjoy lovely blooms without the hay fever symptoms.
1. Camellia
Camellias are ideal allergy-friendly flowers to consider planting in your garden. They’re prized by many gardeners for the combination of glossy foliage with elegant blooms. Despite their pleasant fragrance, these flowers shouldn’t trigger your allergy. This is thanks to the camellias’ reproduction system which ensures that the pollen doesn’t need to travel too far. The genus Camellia has many attractive cultivars so you can enjoy a wide range of colors and hardiness levels. Some of the best Camellia species to consider are Camellia Japonica and Camellia Sasanqua.
2. Pansy
Pansies offer a delicate and vibrant floral display that can add a beautiful touch in any garden. The sticky pollen created by them isn’t spread through the wind so you can rest assured as an allergy sufferer. Beginner gardeners can appreciate this flower’s minimal maintenance required to thrive. There are lots of pansy varieties out there to match any color taste. The colorful blooms are also known to last quite long. As a bonus, pansies are edible so they can be incorporated into more adventurous salads.
3. Tulip
Tulips are often associated with the spring season so you might be wary when it comes to being a potent allergen. Thankfully, this flower doesn’t have a high pollen count so that can dispel your hay fever triggering worries. Besides enjoying the beauty of tulip blooms in the garden, it’s also possible to bring inside your home some cut flowers. People with a sensitive nose will appreciate the tulip’s potential to create cheerful floral arrangements.
4. Hydrangea
Hydrangea is the kind of showy flower that’s a hit among those looking to make a statement in the garden. With a few cultivar exceptions, hydrangeas are great allergy-friendly flowers. The blooms persist for a long time, from spring to fall. It’s also an easy plant to grow in pretty much all kinds of environments. As long as it has proper moisture, a hydrangea will produce some vibrant flowers. Combine different colors to create a stunning hydrangea display.
5. Bougainvillea
One of the best allergy-friendly flowers for warmer climates, the bougainvillea flower represents a solid choice. This is a very interesting plant as its real flowers are hidden in its leaves. The “blooms” you’re seeing are actually the bracts that surround the true flowers. This means that you don’t have to worry about the pollen that can potentially trigger your allergy symptoms. Bougainvillea blooms are colorful and can keep you comfortable in the garden.
6. Columbine
At first impression, the columbine flower appears to contain a lot of pollen in its stamens. Fortunately, this is a highly-recommended plant for allergy sufferers. The reason you can live in harmony with it is the pollination process which relies on insects and nectar-loving birds. This easily translates to being able to safely enjoy the sweet columbine flowers without worries of unpleasant allergic reactions. There are some great varieties of this plant that show off crimson red or blue-white blooms.
7. Iris
Due to the fact that it doesn’t depend on wind for pollination, the iris plant is another great allergy-friendly flower that you shouldn’t miss. The unique shape of the iris flower has evolved to lure nectar-loving insects that carry the sticky pollen further. This plant represents an excellent floral addition to any garden thanks to its ability to create a sense of refinement. The vibrant colors of the iris allow it to craft a stunning statement anywhere. Flowers can last long enough to be suitable for arrangements.
8. Orchid
Orchids have a bit of pollen but it should pose no hay fever issues unless you’re highly sensitive. This flower works for the garden of an allergy sufferer because the pollen doesn’t really get airborne with ease. Everyone is familiar with the stunning visual impact that can be accomplished by an orchid bouquet. It’s definitely a stylish flower that can add a romantic touch for a dinner table. Enjoy the tropical bloom of orchids to brighten up any festive event.
9. Hosta
Hostas can work well for anyone searching to decorate their garden with allergy-friendly flowers. Most hosta varieties are unscented while the plant has minimal care needs. As a cut flower, hosta works particularly well considering that it is usually removed before it blooms. The lush foliage can bring a fresh touch of greenery to any yard. You won’t be disappointed by the prolific style and beautiful appearance of hosta flowers.
10. Begonia
Here’s a popular option for an allergy-friendly flower. Begonias shed a minimal amount of pollen so you don’t have to worry about allergy symptoms around them. These elegant flowers can add a refreshing touch of colors for any shady spot in your garden. There are many varieties that prefer shady spaces and their blooms come with lots of color combinations and different petal shapes. Regardless of your preferred begonia style, this is a strongly recommended flower if you suffer from allergies.
11. Rose
It’s a bit surprising to find roses on this list considering their characteristic scent. The low pollen count makes this famous flower a nice candidate for creating an allergy-friendly garden. Keep in mind that it may still create potential problems for highly sensitive allergy sufferers. Overall, the pollen particles are quite large so the wind won’t easily carry them. It’s time to inhale the mesmerizing scent of roses with confidence while enjoying its safe airspace.
12. Phlox
Although it has some pollen, phlox is a recommended flower for allergy sufferers thanks to not being airborne. It has a similar look to mums but without the unpleasant allergy symptoms that usually appear from those flowers. Phlox flowers come in different sizes and colors. This is a favorite among many gardeners as the plant is not fussy and offers a fairly long flowering season. Phlox cultivars are available in pretty much any hue you like, including rare blue shades.
13. Hibiscus
Even though hibiscus tea can have unpleasant effects on hay fever sufferers, the flower is qucoite allergy-friendly. It does have a considerable amount of pollen but it’s good to know that it’s not the airborne type of pollen. Hibiscus is a hardy perennial that can add some tropical flair to any garden. Its hollyhock-like flowers can provide a nice colorful variety in multiple hues. Keep in mind that hibiscus tea is made from a certain type called Hibiscus sabdariffa.
14. Cactus
The flower of the cactus isn’t usually the highlight of this plant but it’s worth including in this list. This is due to the cactus flower’s lack of wind dependence in terms of pollination. That translates to the ability to enjoy an allergy-friendly flower without problems. It’s a nice touch to the plant’s characteristic spiky green look. Cacti can produce beautiful blooms in a great variety of colors including pink and yellow.
15. Clematis
Except for a few cultivars, clematis flowers are a safe bet for people suffering from allergies. Many gardens love planting clematis for the flower’s tendency to be a great climber. It produces masses of flowers in various shades of white, pink, and purple. There are also some herbaceous types to plant along borders. Keep in mind that some clematis varieties can be quite difficult to grow due to more specific pruning requirements.
16. Azalea
As they rely on insects for pollination, azalea flowers are safe allergy-friendly plants to consider. There may be some rare instances when the azalea’s pollen finds its way transported by wind. Even in that case, the irritating effect is much reduced compared to other flowers. Considering the poisonous nature of the plant, it’s recommended to keep your distance from an azalea bloom. The flowers can be often fragrant while varieties can differ in terms of shapes and colors.
17. Lily
The lily flower can’t be considered a low-pollen plant but it’s still recommended to introduce into your allergy-friendly garden. The gorgeous flower is a suitable choice considering that it’s very easy to completely remove the pollen from their stamens. Lilies offer a collection of visually stunning blooms in vibrant colors such as pink and orange. Certain varieties such as Oriental lilies produce an intense fragrance that may cause irritations for people with sensitive noses.
18. Impatiens
Thanks to their large pollen particles, impatiens flowers don’t rely on wind for reproduction. This means it’s highly unlikely that you will be affected by hay fever symptoms by adding impatiens to your garden. The sticky pollen is picked up by insects attracted by the brightly-colored flowers. This is a very popular flower that can successfully grow in areas with partial shade. There are many impatiens flowers worth the attention but one of the most appreciated species is impatiens walleriana.
19. Petunia
Petunias have a safe type of pollen that doesn’t trigger allergy symptoms. The flower has a faint scent by itself. It’s usually grown in large clusters to boost the strength of the fragrance. You can bring petunias to decorate borders in the garden or make a statement using container displays. The trumpet-shaped flowers can be found in a variety of colors and textures to match the preferences of any gardeners.
20. Verbena
Rich in nectar and pollen, verbena flowers might not be your first choice if you’re an allergy sufferer. It’s good to know that the pollen of this flower is safe against irritations due to being dependent on insects for pollination. In fact, it’s often recommended to get verbenas for bringing in more pollinators to the yard. This flowering annual is also popular thanks to its special herbal properties that make it suitable as an essential oil.
