Low Allergen Plants (PDF)
Low Allergen Plants (folder for print)
Asthma, hayfever and dermatitis
Asthma, hayfever and dermatitis can all be triggered by plants. It is important when planning a garden or replacing plants that this is taken into account. Some plants may not necessarily trigger asthma, but can cause dermatitis or hayfever. For the purpose of this fact sheet, the plants listed are considered as a low allergy option. Specific allergies however may still be an issue. This fact sheet is a guide only, and professional help in regard to a botanic society or local nursery should be sought as well.
In regard to pollens in general, a dangerous time can be shortly after light rains in spring/early summer when some pollen grains break up and release large amounts of tiny allergic particles. Light spray type watering in high pollen conditions also has the potential to create a similar effect.
Grasses
Australian native grasses
Rice or Weeping Grass (Microlaena stipoides), Kangaroo Grass (Themeda australias).
Low pollinating introduced grasses
Greenless couch (Cynodon dactylon spp), Buffalo (Stenotaphrum secundatum)
Native Australian ground cover plants instead of grass
Kidney Weed (Cotula filicula, Dichondra repens, Mazus pumilo, Mentha diemenica), Monkey Musk (Mimulus repens).
Ground Covers
Introduced ground cover plants
Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum), low growing Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster conspicuous ‘Decorus’), Juniper (Juniperus conferta), French Lavender (Lavendula dentata), Ivy leaf Geraniun(Pelargonium peltatum), Carpet Rose Rosemary (Rosmarinus ifficinalis horizontalis), Thume spp.(Thumus spp.), Varigated Periwinkle (Vinca major variegata).
Australian native ground covers
Rosy Heath Murtle (Baeckia ramosissima), Coast or White Honeysuckle (Banksia integrifolia), Banksia (prostrate), River Rose, Dog Rose (Bauera rubioides), Callistemon prostrate forms (Callistemon Comboynensis, Callistemon personii), White Correa (Correa alba,Dampiera diversifolia), Guinea flower (Hibbertia serpyllifolia, Hibbertia pedunculata. Kunzea parvifolia), Tea Tree spp. (Leptospermum spp), Lobelia trigonacaulis, Red-flowering Paperbark (Melaleuca hypericifolia), Fringed Heath-Myrtle (Micromyrtus ciliata), Native Viola hederacea.
Climbers for Fences
Introduced species
Chinese Gooseberry, Kiwi Fruit, Actinidia chinensis, Trumpet Vine (Campsis grandiflora), Clematis (Clematis Montana ‘Rubens’), Chilean Jasmine (Mandevilla laxa), Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis), Banksia Rose (Rosa banksiae), Climbing Rose (Rosa spp).
Native climber species
Sweet Appleberry (Billardiera cymosa), Purple Appleberry (Billardiera longifolia), Climbing Appleberry (Billardiera cymosa), Dusky Coral pea (Kennedya rubicunda), Purple Coral Pea (Hardenbergia violacea), Wonga Vine (Pandorea pandorana), Passionflower (passiflora cinnabarina).
Shrubs for Middle Height
Introduced shrubs
Glossy abelia (abelia grandiflora), Chinese Bell Flower (Abutilon X frazeri), Azalea (Rhododendron spp.), Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.), Yesterday Today and Tomorrow (Brunsefelsia australis), Camellia (camellia japonica, Camellia sasanqua), California Lilac (Ceanothus cyaneus ‘Blue Pacific’), Escallonia (Escallonia macrantha), Gardenia (Gardenia augusta), Cape Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata), Rosemary (Rosamarinus officinalis), Orange Browallia, Marmalade bush (Streptosolen jamesonii), Snowball, Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus), Weigela (Weigela florida ‘Variegata).
Australian Native shrubs for middle height
Heath Banksia (Banksia ericifolia), Old Man Banksia (Banksia serrata), Honeysuckle Banksia (Banksia spinulosa ‘Giant Candles’), Twiggy Heath Myrtle (Baeckia virgata), Red Boronia (Boronia heterophylla), Bottlebrush (Callistemon spp), Common White Heath (Epacris impress), Kunzea (Kunzea affinis), Silky Tea Tree (Leptospermum lanigerum v. macrocarpum), Bracelet Honey Myrtle (Melaleuca armillaris), Red-flowering Paperbark (Melaleuca hypericifolia), Coastal Rosemary (Westingia fruiticosa).
Herbs for the Garden
Basil, Chives, Dill, Fennel, Horseradish, Majoram, Mint, Parsley, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Summer Savory, Tarragon, Thyme.
Trees for Height, Shade and Wind Protection
Introduced trees
Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba), Deep Purple Orchid Tree (Bauhinia blakeana), Papaw (carica papaya), Weeping Crab Apple (Malus ‘Echtermeyer’), Japenese Crab Apple (Malus floribunda), Nyssa Tupelo (Nysa sylvatica), Chinese Pistachio (Pistacia chinensis), Flowering Almond, Apricot, Cherry(Prunus spp.), Sweet Bay (Laurus nobilis), Citrus- Lemon, Orange, Lime Grapefruit (Citrus spp).
Australian native trees
Peppermint Tree, Willow Myrtle (Agonis flexuosa), Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla), Peppermint Gum (Eucalyptus nicholii), Scribbly Gum (Eucalyptus haemostoms, Scarlet-flowering Gum (Eucalyptus ficifolia), Pincushion Hakae (Hakea laurina), Willow-leaved Hakae (Hakea salicifolia), Kenita Palm (Howea forsterana), Lilly Pilly spp. (Acmena Smithii Syzyium spp.) Cabbage Tree Palm (Livistona australis), Brad Leaved Paperbark (Melaleuca quinquinervia).
Introduced Flowering Annuals and Perennials
Ageratum, Alyssum, Anemone, Aquilegia, Begonias spp., Canterbury Bells, Foxglove, Clarkia, Coleus, Cornflower, Delphinium, Honesty, Inpatiens, Lobelia, Nemesia, Nastyrtium, Pansy, Petunia, Phlox, Salvia, Snapdragon, Sweet William, Verbena.
Plants and Trees that Should be Avoided
Annuals
Asteraceae family i.e. Daises, Chrysanthemums, Calendulas, Marigolds.
Grasses
Introduced grasses (except those named).
Trees
Wattles (Acacia spp.), Alder (Alnus spp), Ash (Fraxinus spp), Birch (Betula spp), She oak (casuarina equisetifolia), Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), Monterey Pine (Cupressus macrocarpa), white Cypress Pine/Murray Pine (Callitris glaucophylla), Elm (Ulmus spp), Liquidambar (Liquidambar styracielua), Maple (Acer spp), white Cedar (Melia azedarach), Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora), Oak (Quercus spp), Olive (olea spp), Poplar (Populus deltoides), Privet (Ligustrum spp), Walnut (Juglans spp), Willow (Salix spp).