Worst Flowers for Allergy Sufferers
Flowers that can bring on an onslaught of symptoms for allergy sufferers include the Aster (Asteraceae) family and others pollinated by the wind.
AsterBaby’s breathDahliaDaisiesChamomileChrysanthemumsRagweedSunflowersAmaranthOrnamental grassesEnglish lavender
Many new cultivars of popular flowers, like sunflowers, are bred for florists; they produce very little pollen, which is excellent for less messy bouquets but also benefits allergy sufferers. With the flowers removed, these plants will not bring on allergy issues. Of course, more and more garden plants are mainly grown for their foliage. Here are 25 good choices that most allergy sufferers can enjoy.
USDA Growing Zones: 4–9Color Varieties: White, pink, red, orangeSun Exposure: Part shadeSoil Needs: Rich, acidic, well-drained soil
USDA Growing Zones: 2–11 (most are grown as annuals)Color Varieties: Pink, red, orange, white, yellow, bicolorSun Exposure: Full sun to full shade (depends on type)Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained soil
The Bougainvillea genus contains about 14 species. The plants cultivated for the garden are hybrid crosses of various species and their cultivars.
USDA Growing Zones: 9–11 (often grown as annuals)Color Varieties: Pink, purple, red, yellow, orangeSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Moist but well-drained
USDA Growing Zones: 4–11 (depends on species)Color Varieties: White, pink, yellow, purple (depends on species)Sun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Dry, gritty, well-drained soil
USDA Growing Zones: 7–9Color Varieties: White, pink, red, yellow, or lavenderSun Exposure: Part shadeSoil Needs: Moist, well-drained, rich soil
In addition to the vine forms, there is also low-growing clematis that has a shrublike growth habit.
USDA Growing Zones: 3–9 (depends on species)Color Varieties: White, blue, violet, red, yellowSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Fertile, well-drained soil
USDA Growing Zones: 10–11 (usually grown as annuals)Color Varieties: Foliage colors include mixes of green, red, orange, and yellow; the white or blue flowers are not showySun Exposure: Part shade to full shadeSoil Needs: Rich, well-draining soil
USDA Growing Zones: 3–8Color Varieties: White, pink, red, blue, yellow (depends on species)Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained soil
USDA Growing Zones: 4–10 (grown as annuals everywhere)Color Varieties: White, pink, violetSun Exposure: Full to part sunSoil Needs: Rich, medium-moisture, well-drained soil
In warmer zones, gardeners can grow tropical hibiscus species, but hardy hibiscus can also grow as far north as zone 4.
USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 11Color Varieties: White, red, pink, orange, yellow, peach, purpleSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Moist but well-drained soil
USDA Growing Zones: 3–9Color Varieties: Foliage colors range from yellow to blue-greenSun Exposure: Part shade to full shadeSoil Needs: Rich, well-drained soil
USDA Growing Zones: 4–9Color Varieties: White, blue, green, red, pink, purpleSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Rich, well-drained soil
USDA Growing Zones: 10–11 (grown as annuals elsewhere)Color Varieties: White, red, pink, violet, coral, purple, and yellowSun Exposure: Part shade to full shadeSoil Needs: Rich, well-draining soil
USDA Growing Zones: 3–9Color Varieties: White, yellow, lavender, orange, blue, bicolorsSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Any average, well-draining soil
USDA Growing Zones: 3–10Color Varieties: White, yellow, orange, red, salmon, purple, bicolorsSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Medium moisture, well-draining soil
USDA Growing Zones: 10–11; most are grown as houseplantsColor Varieties: White, pink, yellow, lavender, purpleSun Exposure: Varies by species; most prefer indirect lightSoil Needs: Varies by species; many are air plants
USDA Growing Zones: 10–11; grown as annuals everywhereColor Varieties: Pink, purple, yellow, red, orange, green, whiteSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Moist, well-drained soil
USDA Growing Zones: 4–9Color Varieties: White, pink, lavender, purpleSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Medium-moisture, well-drained soil
USDA Growing Zones: 4–9Color Varieties: Pink, yellow, white, orange, red, green, purpleSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Well-drained loamy soil
USDA Growing Zones: 7–11 (grown as annuals everywhere)Color Varieties: White, yellow, pink, red, orange, peach, purpleSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Rich, moist, well-draining soil
USDA Growing Zones: 3–8 (depends on species)Color Varieties: All colors; depends on the speciesSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Depends on species; most prefer moist but well-draining soil
USDA Growing Zones: 4–8Color Varieties: Pink to whiteSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Dry, well-drained soil
USDA Growing Zones: 9–11 (generally grown as annuals)Color Varieties: White, red, purple, pink, peach (depends on variety)Sun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil
USDA Growing Zones: 4–8Color Varieties: Light to deep violet, white, blue, yellow, cream, and multi-colorsSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Rich, moist, well-draining soil
USDA Growing Zones: 9–11; often grown as annualsColor Varieties: Pink, purple, yellow, orange, lavender, white, red, and greenSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Any well-draining soil
