Hayfever is like a twisted game of hide and seek. For sufferers who have spent the Scottish winter hiding indoors from the cold, only to come out in the spring and have to dodge the sneeze-inducing pollen minefield, it can feel like Mother Nature’s revenge.
Just when we think we can go frolicking in the meadows and bask in the beauty of spring, our immune system throws a tantrum with our noses running like Olympic sprinters, and our eyes streaming like we have just watched ‘Bambi’ for the first time.
So aside from showing off expert tissue-folding skills, what else can hay fever sufferers do to still have a beautiful outdoor space to which to retreat, rather than run?
Hayfever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is caused by an allergic response to pollen from certain plants. Plants which often cause a strong reaction are:
The most common cause of hayfever is grass pollen, which is released from May to August. The most problematic grass species are timothy, meadow, rye, and pampas.
Tree pollen is usually released earlier in the year than grass pollen, from February to June. The most common trees which are prolific pollen producers are birch, oak, ash, maple, and willow.
Avoid trees for the garden which are wind-pollinated, like those which produce catkins.
Weed pollen is released later in the year than grass pollen, from June to September so try to pull up weeds before they flower. The weeds to avoid are nettles, dock, and mugwort.
Borders in full bloom can be an allergy sufferers nightmare, and culprits to avoid are dahlias, chrysanthemums, sunflowers, daisies, chamomile, and gypsophila.
While it is difficult to guarantee that a plant will not cause a hayfever trigger, there are some plants that are less likely to trigger symptoms:
For small gardens, gingko biloba is an excellent tree as it does not shed pollen.
Ferns are non-flowering plants that do not produce pollen, making them a good option for those who suffer from hayfever, and perfect for shaded areas of the garden.
Begonia is a popular garden plant that is not known to cause hayfever. It has showy flowers in a range of colours, is relatively low-maintenance, and is always a popular flower to show at horticultural shows.
Fuchsia is another garden plant not known to cause hayfever. It has distinctive pendulous flowers that bloom from summer to autumn.
Snapdragon is a cheerful garden plant that comes in a range of bright colours. While they do produce pollen, it is usually too heavy to become airborne and cause hayfever symptoms.
Magnolia, cherry, and ornamental pear trees are all good tree choices as they produce a coarse pollen that falls to the ground.
Insect-pollinated flowers, where the pollen tends to be heavy and falls straight to the ground, like hosta, hydrangea, camellia, rose, foxglove, and pansy, are good choices.
Hayfever can be a frustrating and uncomfortable condition, but there are things you can do to help alleviate symptoms:
Remember, it's always best to consult with a doctor or allergist to determine the best treatment plan for your specific needs.