Sneezing a clear sign of bulbs flowering
You’d think we would be free from plant irritants while safely indoors in the depths of winter, but as we sat in the warm conservatory recently, recovering from an early-morning stint in the garden, the sneezing began again. A sure sign that the indoor bulbs have started flowering but I’m used to this.
It happens every year postChristmas, as the fragrant hyacinths and narcissi burst into glorious bloom. Much as I love and eagerly anticipate their presence, they are bearable for a short period only.
When they combine with the white Jasminum polyanthum, as at present, the fragrance is too overpowering for this fellow.
Only these three, in pots and an enclosed area, ever give me grief. It’s a pleasure to imbibe the sweetly scented heliotrope flowers and fragrant geranium leaves in the same room once the bulb displays have faded and these gems stand alone.
Why do I continue growing plants that spark such a reaction? It`s because their visual presence and colour work wonders in January and far outweigh any mild discomfort.
Hardy winter shrubs; mahonia, viburnum, chiminanthus, sarcococca and hamamelis, are all fragrant and currently displaying their scented blooms in the garden, but do not have the same detrimental effect. Nor do the glorious roses or sweet peas of summer.
On the daily walk of inspection, it`s possible to handle and savour the leaves of assorted herbs planted near pathways without adverse reaction. Similarly, the leaves of border perennials emitting a strong citrus scent (melissa, thymus and alloysia) can be enjoyed to the full. The difference being they’re out in the open.
Paradoxically, there is a problem in summer if the pollen count is high.
Congestion and sore eyes are on the cards when riding a bridleway where the grass is in flower. But that’s mild compared to skirting around a field of oilseed rape in full bloom!
So-called hay fever is an allergic reaction to airborne pollen grains. The allergen prompts the immune system to release chemicals in defence.
The result; watering eyes and nose, inflammation. An irritant such as a strongly scented flower, can cause the eyes and nose to water but it does not alert the immune system.