Nectar rich gardens for people with hayfever

For people who suffer from hayfever, the arrival of Spring/ Summer can bring a lot of discomfort. Some of my clients still want to enjoy a garden full of plants but suffer from hayfever so it is important to take this into consideration when designing the planting scheme. It is still possible to have a densely planted garden and offer plenty of nectar to pollinators.

The most important thing is to avoid wind pollinated plants and trees such as:

  1. Grass / Lawn
    The most common cause of hayfever is grass. Consider not having a lawn. If you wish to have a lawn because you have young children, to play ball games or simply to enjoy walking barefeet on the grass, make sure you cut the grass once a week or consider a clover lawn. That way the grass won’t get a chance to flower, meaning it will produce less pollen. Their pollen is tiny, light and easily inhaled.
  2. Wind pollinated trees
    Many of our most common trees are wind-pollinated, including ashes, birches, elders, hazels, horse chestnuts, oaks, planes, sycamores, willows and yews. All produce huge clouds of pollen in early Summer. Although this is mainly a problem with male trees, but that’s another blog entry.., for another time.
  3. Ornamental grasses
    Now , what can you plant and enjoy:
    The good news is that there are loads of trees and plants that are either self-pollinating or insect-pollinated:
    Insect-pollinated plants produce heavier pollen that sticks to the pollinator and does not easily become airborne. 
    Fruit trees are great if you suffer from hayfever. Apple, cherry, pear and plum trees are amongst those with the lowest allergens. Cornuses, crab apples or most flowering trees are also good. 

Also:

Geraniums, Hydrangeas, Roses, bearded irises, Phlox, Verbena, Spring bulbs, Penstemons, Viburnums are good choices. There are of course many more.

Last two tips to enjoy your garden on a high pollen day:

  • Go out early in the garden as pollen levels build up during the day
  • Wear a (cool) hat that will catch some of the fluff