From traditional roses to pretty-as-a-picture tulips, flowers are the perfect way to say thank you, cheer up a friend or tell your partner how much you love them.
But what if your nearest and dearest has hay fever or is allergic to flowers? Can you still send them a stunning bouquet of flowers as a gift?
Yes, you absolutely can. The good news is that hay fever sufferers can enjoy flowers as much as everybody else. You just need to make sure that you choose the right blooms.
There are plenty of hypoallergenic flowers for them to enjoy – gorgeous bouquets and cut flowers that won’t make them sneeze uncontrollably or start rubbing their eyes.
What causes hay fever?
Hay fever is much more common that you might think. In fact, research shows that a quarter of people in the UK suffer from it, including well-known names like Kate Winslet, Lily James and David Beckham.
Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis as the medics call it, is an allergic reaction to pollen, the fine powder produced by plants. Symptoms range from sneezing and coughing to itchy, red eyes and a runny nose and are usually at their worst from late March till September, especially when it’s warm, humid and windy.
Allergies to flowers are mainly due to their pollen count rather than their fragrance so the key advice is to steer clear of blooms that release large amounts of pollen – or flowers with huge heads and lots of pollen. Remember too that trees and grass tend to make hay fever worse because their pollen spreads through the air rather than being dispersed by insects.
The best flowers for hay fever sufferers
Roses
Roses are the most popular blooms to send so you’ll be pleased to hear that they don’t tend to cause problems for hay fever sufferers.
Species of English roses only release small amounts of pollen into the air but to be on the safe side opt for tightly budded varieties or roses with little or no smell as these will have the least pollen.
Snapdragons
Known for their long stems and jewel-bright colours, snapdragons are a safe choice for hay fever sufferers because their tightly closed buds minimise the release of pollen. Clever, eh?
They will add height to any floral arrangement so mix them with other summer blooms to create a feast for the eyes.
Peonies
Sweet scented and soft petalled, peonies typically bloom in the late spring and early summer so make the most of them while you can.
These popular blooms are a trustworthy choice for people who suffer from hay fever because they are pollinated by insects rather than being spread through the air. So you can enjoy the luxurious taffeta-like flower heads of the peony without setting off the sneezes. By the way, did you know that the Chinese city of Luoyang loves peonies so much that residents hold an annual peony festival every April?
Gladioli
Gladioli are another sensible choice. These statuesque stems originate from South Africa and are said to symbolise generosity, although they’re probably best known for being Dame Edna Everage’s favourite flowers.
Their pollen is thick and sticky, meaning it is usually pollinated by bees, rather than being borne by the wind. They come in a wide range of vibrant colours and will add drama to any arrangement – just like Dame Edna always did.
Carnations
Another classic cut flower, the carnation’s pretty, frilled blooms bring lovely colour and texture to any bouquet. Their flowers don’t have much pollen, so they’re safe for people with hay fever. Plus, they last for a long time when cut too!
Astrantias
With their pointed petals and pin-cushion-like centres, these delicate, star-shaped flowers add colour and texture to any bouquet. Their name derives from ‘aster’, which means ‘star’ in Latin. In the Middle Ages the flowers were referred to as ‘stars that have fallen to Earth’.
Low allergy flowers that produce little pollen, astrantias were first cultivated in Britain in the 16th century and quickly became a cottage garden favourite. They can also be found growing in the wild.
Hydrangeas
These beautiful blooms are insect pollinated so they’re another safe bet for hay fever sufferers. Said to be a sign of gratitude in Japan because ancient emperors would give them as a sign of thanks, hydrangeas come in soft shades of blue, pink, purple and white.
Each colour has a different meaning behind it. Blue symbolises forgiveness, pink means love and sincerity, purple represents abundance and understanding and white stands for boasting or bragging.
Orchids
Orchids do contain pollen but their pollen is unlikely to be airborne so they are allergy friendly.
Wonderfully colourful and exotic, orchids have an impressive history. They are among the world’s oldest known flowering plants, dating back 112 million years, to when dinosaurs roamed the earth. They continue to evolve to this day, with about 20 new species appearing every year. It is important to note, though, that some orchids may cause a slight skin rash on sensitive individuals.
Cut flowers that hay fever sufferers should avoid
If you’re sending flowers to someone who suffers from hay fever it’s best to avoid blooms with the most pollen.
Asiatic and Longiflorum lilies are stunning to look at but they release large amounts of pollen so hay sufferers tend to side step them. On the other hand it’s easy to remove the stems of pollen from each lily so if you are prone to hay fever but love lilies you could always ask a non-allergic pal to do this for you.
Other blooms that are a no-no for hay fever sufferers include sunflowers (their giant heads have lots of pollen), gerberas, hyacinths, chrysanthemums and most dahlias (it’s possible to find some hybrid dahlias with pollen-free flowers).
Blossom is bad for allergy sufferers too so when choosing a spring flower arrangement take care not to include almond, cherry or apple blossom – or any other kind of tree blossom.
Another tip is to avoid sending highly fragrant flowers as their scent can be a trigger for some hay fever sufferers.
Last, but not least, it’s a good idea to ask the person you’re sending the flowers to if they have any known allergies or sensitivities to certain flowers.
Know what to send? Explore our range of beautiful bouquets to find the perfect hay-fever friendly bouquet to brighten their day.
