Do you enjoy spending time in the garden but your eyes, nose or skin just don’t share the feeling? Do your eyes get watery and your skin itchy, followed by the dreaded “Ah-Choo?!” Oh no! You might be suffering from allergic rhinitis, better known as hay fever!
You are not alone! Hay fever is the most common allergic disorder in Australia. Indoor and outdoor allergens such as pollen, mould and dust can often cause this allergic response.
According to the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Allergic Rhinitis affects around 18% of people in both Australia and New Zealand. Typical symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, hives and watery eyes. People who have asthma might even have an asthma flare-up.
The most common trigger for allergic rhinitis is pollen, a plant’s reproductive cell. Pollen plays an essential role in the pollination process, making it hard to avoid if you love plants.
Although we can’t do much to evade these allergens, it doesn’t mean we have to give up on our dream of a beautiful garden, though!
Luckily, you can thwart the sniffles by using artificial plants instead.
While fake plants may not cure your hay fever, they will significantly reduce the amount of pollen in your garden. That means you can make the most of those sunny days in the garden without worrying as much about pollen.
Surround yourself with topiary trees
Nothing beats a gorgeous sunny day out in the garden, sipping tea and reading a good book, surrounded by lush topiary trees.
Topiary trees used to be out of reach for most people. Creating such garden masterpieces can be incredibly difficult to achieve. The plants typically need skilled professionals who carefully cut and trim them into intricate shapes. Topiary trees require regular maintenance and care to preserve their form and style.
With high-quality artificial trees, anyone can have a topiary garden – no gardener needed! Just head on over to your nearest artificial plant shop and choose from the many types and shapes of artificial topiaries available. We particularly love these artificial boxwood topiary plants by Designer Plants which come readily trimmed in the form of a ball! These simple yet oh-so-elegant artificial hedge balls make the perfect ornamental feature. You can hang them from a hook or string, place them on a vase, or even directly on a table, floor, or cupboard. They come readily available in halves when shipped and take about a minute to join – et voilà!
Instant beautification!
Hang Potted Artificial Plants
Hanging plants are certainly having a moment right now. Instagram is filled with gorgeous images and ideas. And just about every series on TV shows off trendy interiors and exteriors with hanging greenery.
Hanging plants look great and are excellent space savers. They can make your home feel like a green jungle. However, suffering from hay fever may mean having plants inside or around the house is a big no-no.
But don’t let this stop you.
Take your houseplants to the next level and achieve those jungle home feels with artificial hanging plants instead. A faux plant is a fantastic option for people suffering from allergies. As they’re made from plastic, you won’t have to worry about being triggered by pesky pollen. Most artificial plants these days are made from toxic-free material and are safe for pets and young children.
Surrounding yourself with greenery can be a real mood-booster! It can help you focus and promote well-being overall.
Why not hang an artificial plant above your work desk to increase concentration levels? Or block out some of the sunlight with hanging plants on your deck? Another way to instantly beautify your home is to hang a large-sized, cascading fern just above your coffee table.
Hanging plants is for sure a green trend to follow right now!
Decorate With Artificial Plants
Just because you have allergies doesn’t mean you have to give up on plants altogether. Artificial plants and faux flowers can give you the same lush jungle feel without triggering an allergic reaction.
There are many advantages of going faux such as;
No Watering Needed
Caring for a real plant is no easy feat. In the hustle and bustle of modern life, remembering to water your plants daily can quickly become a dreaded chore. Plus, artificial plants have an added bonus: You can hang them up in hard to reach places; you’ll never have to worry about watering them!
Low maintenance
Compared to their real counterparts, faux plants don’t need as much attention and care. Just place them where you like in your garden, and that’s it! These days, some artificial plants are UV protected, so they stay beautiful come rain or shine!
It Looks like the real thing!
Yes, we kid-you-not. With today’s modern technologies and high-quality materials, even the greenest of fingers will not be able to tell the difference between real and fake.
Replace Your Lawn With Artificial Grass
Thinking of replacing your lawn with artificial grass? We say go for it! Artificial grass is the perfect choice for people with hay fever. Luxurious, long-lasting, and low-maintenance – artificial grass is the gardening trend of the decade and one that is fast gaining interest from homeowners, businesses and schools.
It is certainly a smart investment if you have allergies. With zero pollen count, there will be no seasonal discomfort. You’ll be able to enjoy your backyard garden without any worries. The best part of going artificial? It’s so easy to maintain and clean. Here’s how to clean artificial grass to keep your lawn looking green all year round. Time to bring out the barbecue and invite over family and friends. Outdoor fun for everyone!
Don’t Plant Wind-pollinated Plants
Problems with pollen are usually caused by wind-pollinated grasses, weeds, and trees, such as pasture grasses. Perennial ryegrass, for example, is a significant contributor to Melbourne’s local pollen. Ryegrass is found in many places across Australia and is often reported in pollen counts and local allergy advice.
Highly flowering plants do not usually trigger allergies as they produce less pollen (which is transported by bees) than wind-pollinated plants.
To keep your allergies under control, consider planting a low allergen garden with plants pollinated by birds or insects, as these are less likely to trigger allergic rhinitis flare-ups.
When Is Pollen/Hay Fever Season?
August to March can be challenging for most Australians who suffer from asthma or hay fever. With the increased amount of pollen in the air, that time of year can get pretty uncomfortable for many, even leading to hospitalisation in severe cases.
The amount of pollen in the air changes according to the season and depending on where you live. For example, in Melbourne and Hobart, pollen counts can be very high in October and November. While in Adelaide, Sydney and Canberra, the pollen count rises in the spring and summer. If you live in Brisbane and Darwin, on the other hand, unfortunately, these areas have the highest pollen counts for most of the year.
Thunderstorms can also trigger hay fever as the combination of pollen, moisture and changes in air pressure levels can lead to the bursting of pollen grains. Be sure to take your medications prescribed by your doctor, such as antihistamines and stay indoors during the pollen season as much as possible.
Alternatively, you could just decorate your garden with artificial plants and trees instead, just to be safe!
