Low Allergy Annuals

Eric J. Smith writes about his interest in many areas of Environmental concern including the Health impact of Toxic Chemicals in our Community. He recently wrote the following article about Low Allergy Annuals. This article and more outdoor plant growing information can be found right HERE at http://www.ezinearticles.com/. I have made some comments in italics.

"Annuals are mainly grown for their flowers as garden colour or cut flowers. Pollen from flowers is a major allergen so if you suffer from an allergy like hay fever it is wise to consider looking for low or no allergen flowering plants for your garden.


I have suffered from hay fever since I was a kid. As a country boy I was introduced to the allergy while carting hay on my uncles property. Over the years I have come to know the types of plants that cause the allergy to flare up as well as those that have no effect on it at all. I have also noticed some heavily pollinated flowers that for one reason or another do not affect my hay fever while others that I would expect to be low allergen have made the condition worse.

Despite my hay fever I established a career in the Horticultural industry working around both high and low allergen flowers.

Some of the flowers I have found to be low allergen include:

Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)

Lobelias do not need a lot of water but should not be allowed to dry out either. A Summer growing annual with flowers in shades of blue, white, pink and mauve. Blue is the most common colour in most gardens. These low allergy plants are good bedding options and grow well in pots as well as being commonly grown in borders. Lobelias are low growing reaching a height of around 20cm.

Begonia (Begonia semperflorens)

Begonias are Perennials but usually treated as annuals. Aside from African Violets, these Begonias are my favourite plant. Begonias love an organically fertile soil in Full sun or Part shade. Begonias work well as border plants, in beds or in pots. Begonias are well adapted to growing indoors, their low allergen grouping makes them ideal for this environment. The season of interest for Begonias is Summer.

       Non Stop Red Begonia--awesome plant!

Impatiens (Impatiens - Annual species)

Impatiens are worth a mention. These hardy annuals grow to a height of up to 1.5 metres. Impatiens like a Part shade aspect with the season of interest being Summer."

                                       (Exciting impatiens--great for flower beds, boxes or hangers!)


Impatiens and begonias are extremely attractive and very reliable for a long flowering season in the summer garden! We love them here at Skillin's!




To read the entire article published by Eric J Smith please click HERE!
 
Mike Skillin
Skillin's Greenhouses
May 1, 2011