Beat the ‘pollen bomb’ at home with safest flowers
Asummer ‘pollen bomb’ across the UK is causing hell for hay fever sufferers this year with around half of all adults affected by classic symptoms.
Millions of hay fever sufferers are experiencing worse symptoms than usual but, with so many beautiful flowers around, some blooms that can be brought into the home can be more hay fever friendly than others.
Whether buying for yourself, or as a gift for someone else, you can still enjoy stunning floral displays but avoid irritating symptoms, say the experts.
Lilies are regarded as the worst flowers for hay fever sufferers due to the high pollen count within their stamen. While the stamen can be cut to reduce the effect of the pollen, it is recommended to avoid them altogether if you suffer from allergies.
The pollen within lillies is also harmful to animals, making lily-free bouquet options more likely to be petsafe and better as a gift for those with pets.
The top six hayfever friendly flowers, as recommended by experts, are ...
Antirrhinum (Snapdragons)
This traditional favourite is a safe choice for hay fever sufferers as the tightly closed buds minimise the release of pollen.
These blooms provide nectar for bumble bees who are among the few insects that are able to ‘open’ the flower. Antirrhinums will also add height to any design – arrange them with roundheaded summer blooms to create a gorgeous display for your mantelpiece.
Peony
The large, luxurious taffeta-like flower heads of the peony will celebrate the joys of the season without setting off the sneezes.
This insta-worthy bloom is a reliable choice as it is pollinated by insects rather than the wind.
Roses
The national flower of England and the world’s favourite bloom!
This classic beauty can be
enjoyed by all as roses only release small amounts of pollen into the air. With a huge range of colours and varieties, the floral symbol of love is the perfect choice to send to hay fever sufferers. Top tip – opt for the tight budded varieties to further minimise pollen exposure.
Gladiolus
Another safe choice this season is gladioli. They originate from South Africa and are said to symbolise generosity. This bloom’s pollen is thick and sticky, meaning they are commonly pollinated by bees, rather than the wind. The tall stems come in a wide range of beautiful colours and will certainly brighten any home or garden.
Astrantia
A pretty, delicate starshaped flower that will add texture to any bouquet, making it a very popular choice for spring and summer
weddings. Astrantia was first cultivated in Britain in the sixteenth century and became a cottage garden favourite, which can also be found growing in the wild. The great news is they rate low on the allergy scale, so no hay fever headache.
Hydrangea
These stunning blooms are also insect-pollinated, making them another safe option this summer. Hydrangeas come in shades of blue, pink and white and are said to carry the meaning, ‘thank you for understanding’.
Their dried leaves are used to make a sweet tea called Ama-cha in Japan, which is prepared each year to celebrate Buddha’s birthday?
Vicky Salmon, head florist at Interflora advises being lily free as her top tip. She said: “Lily free bouquets allow us to enjoy blooms while avoiding irritating pollen.”