Interflora Articles

Allergy Friendly Flowers

There are some people in the world, for whom flowers are source of misery rather than joy. For those who suffer from allergies, a bouquet of flowers can say "sneezing, watery eyes, and a stuffy nose", rather than the well-wish that was intended. If you know that someone has an allergy or even if you are unsure, you don't necessarily have to forgo the bouquet, just select one that is allergy-friendly.

Flowers in the Hospital

There is currently not a national policy regarding flowers in the hospital, but the once welcomed blooms do not receive a warm reception in every ward. If you are sending or bringing flowers to someone who is in the hospital, consider the possibility that their ward may have a strict "no flower" policy in place. To ensure that you, and the one in the hospital, are not disappointed, call ahead and confirm.

Even if the destination hospital is flower-friendly, you should still be as considerate as possible in your selection. Remember, those hospitals that ban the flowers do so for good reason - many people are allergic to flowers or find strong scents overpowering. There is also the problem that a bed-ridden patient will rely on their nurse to care for and water the bouquet, something that a busy care-taker does not have time for.

Here are some ways to make your bouquet as hospital-considerate as possible:

• Select an allergy friendly bloom without a strong scent (keep reading for ideas)
  
  
• Choose a bouquet that is made of hardy foliage and flowers, which require minimal care.
  
  
• Opt for smaller and more compact arrangements rather than large and grand ones that may require more space than is available.

Flowers for Allergy Sufferers

Although some hypo-allergenic hybrids are emerging on the market, they are difficult find and often very expensive. Plus, the simple truth remains - if you are allergic to flowers, then you are allergic to flowers.

The solution is to select from those blooms that have very large and heavy pollens. Although these pollens would create adverse reactions in sufferers, should they be ingested, the large and heavy size makes ingestion unlikely. Basically, if it can't get into the nose, eyes, and mouth it won't create an allergic reaction.

Here are some flowers that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction in the sufferer:

• Azaleas
• Boxwood
• Cherry
• Dogwood
• Yucca
• Sunflowers
• Daisies
• Petunias
• Daffodils
• Hydrangeas
• Snapdragons

Consider Non-Flowering Bouquets

An arrangement does not have to contain flowers to be beautiful. There are many creative bouquets that are comprised solely of branches and foliage, with decorative items such as berries, ornaments, and feathers added for appeal. In addition to being allergy-friendly, these arrangements are also easy to care for and tend last much longer than flower bouquets.


< back