Insect-pollinated plants the key for allergy-free garden

Insect-pollinated plants the key for allergy-free garden

» 25th May 2010 «

Families have been told that it is possible to create an impressive garden which also allows allergy sufferers to enjoy what the great outside has to offer.

Olivia Kirk of KKE Architects has designed a garden for the University of Worcester, with the aim of allowing students to relax when not in lessons.

Pivotal to the design has been a focus on foliage plants, alongside flowers such as peonies and irises, which are known not to cause too much air to be filled with pollen.

According to the BBC, she said: "As a rule of thumb, if the flower is insect-pollinated, you are absolutely fine, apart from a few exceptions.

"If it's wind pollinated, the pollen is designed to be buoyant and it stays in the air a lot longer, but with insect-pollinated flowers, when the insect has done its job, the pollen is heavy and falls to the ground."

Individuals will be able to gain a closer look at the design at the Chelsea Flower Show, while the Daily Telegraph reports that that Ms Kirk aims to complement the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit at the university in their studies relating to conditions including asthma and hay fever.

Posted by Gary Carter