Nothing to sneeze at

Even hay fever sufferers can enjoy a garden in full bloom with these allergy-friendly plants – and a little help from Optrex

Itchy eyes, runny noses and pesky sneezing fits… the summer months can be a real struggle if you’ve got hay fever, but that doesn’t mean the garden has to be out of bounds. Optrex has helped many a gardener enjoy the summer with its range of soothing eye care products.

Optrex ActiMist Double Action spray, for example, can help ease itchy, watery eyes caused by hay fever and can be used safely alongside allergy tablets, so you can get back to pruning, digging and mowing your garden. Optrex Double Action Drops for Itchy and Watery Eyes, meanwhile, give fast relief and help to restore the natural balance of your eyes’ protective layer.

Top allergy-friendly plants

Besides using Optrex ActiMist Double Action spray, Optrex Double Action Drops for Itchy and Watery Eyes and antihistamine tablets, you can also help ease your hay fever symptoms by opting for allergy-friendly flowers and shrubs in your garden. Of course, it’s hard to avoid pollen altogether outdoors, but these plants will go some way to help you enjoy some more sneeze-free time in your garden.

Penstemons

With their bright, vivid, flowers, it’s no surprise these perennials are a favourite with bees. What’s more, they thrive in a range of soil types and have a long flowering season.

Geraniums

Hardy, colourful and easy to grow, geraniums are a go-to flower for many gardening enthusiasts as there are hundreds of varieties to choose from.

Begonias

These plants are ideal if you want to add a splash of colour to your borders, baskets and pots – they flower beautifully from June to October.

Viburnum

If you’re after an allergyfriendly shrub, try the gorgeous viburnum. There are evergreen or deciduous varieties to choose from, both of which are great for wildlife, as they provide shelter for garden birds such as blackbirds, thrushes and robins.