Problems With Summer Pollen: Plants That Cause Summer Allergies

Spring isn’t the only time you can expect hay fever. Summer plants are also busily releasing pollen which can aggravate allergies. Not only summer pollen but contact allergies are common among sensitive gardeners. Learn about the common allergy-causing plants that grow in the hot season and how to minimize their effects.

Typical Summer Allergy Plants

You know the symptoms. A stuffy head, runny nose, headache, weepy eyes and itching. Summer plant allergies don’t have to ruin your vacation. Know the plants that cause summer allergies so you can avoid them and concentrate on sunny fun.

Many of the allergy-causing plants in summer are found wild in ditches, fields and abandoned spaces. That means a casual hike for those that are sensitive can become a real drag. Fields are excellent hosts to such plants as:

• Ragweed

• Ryegrass

• Pigweed

• Lambsquarter

• Timothy grass

• Cocklebur

• Dock

• Plantain

• Sorrel

Larger trees are flowering and releasing annoying summer pollen too. Some of these occur in orchards, woods and pastures. Likely tree suspects that are causing allergy symptoms include:

• Elm

• Mountain cedar

• Mulberry

• Maple

• Oak

• Pecan

• Cypress

Summer Allergy Plants in Your Garden

As you might expect, plants that produce flowers are the biggest offenders. It may be the pollen but it also may be the scent that causes your nose to tickle, such as:

• Chamomile

• Chrysanthemum

• Amaranth

• Daisies

• Goldenrod

• Lavender

• Purple coneflower

• Stock flowers

But it isn’t only the bloomers that cause summer plant allergies. Ornamental grasses are popular landscape plants due to their resilience, ease of care and, in many cases, drought tolerance. Your turf grass can also be a culprit:

• Fescue

• Bermuda grass

• Sweet vernal

• Bentgrass

• Sedge

Most landscapes feature smaller trees, shrubs and bushes. Of these, some of the common plants that cause allergies are:

• Privet

• Wormwood

• Hydrangea

• Japanese cedar

• Juniper

• Wisteria

Preventing Summer Allergy Symptoms

There are things you can do and still enjoy the outdoors without feeling miserable.

• Take your walk between the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., when pollen counts are at their lowest.

• Use any allergy medicines at least 30 minutes before you go outdoors so they can have time to take effect.

• Shower thoroughly when you have been outside and exposed to plants.

• Use a mask for mowing and other activities that dislodge pollen.

• Rinse patio furniture to remove allergens, dry clothes in the dryer so they don’t get covered in pollen and keep the home closed.

• The use of a HEPA filter in your home can help track tiny particulates and make you rest much easier.

With some careful attention and good hygiene, you can avoid most of the problems with summer allergies and enjoy the season.