Landscape Plant Selection Criteria for the Allergic Patient.

Area of Science:

• Allergy and Immunology
• Environmental Science
• Horticulture

Background:

• Limited resources exist for identifying landscape plants that trigger pollen allergies.
• Patients and landscaping professionals lack guidance on managing allergenic plants and reducing exposure.
• Existing horticultural information often overlooks the allergenic potential of plants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide guidance on creating low-allergenic landscapes.
• To help patients and professionals identify and avoid allergenic plants.
• To address knowledge gaps regarding landscape allergens and safety.

Main Methods:

• Formation of the Landscape Allergen Working Group by the AAAAI Aerobiology Committee.
• Review of allergenic plant species and their pollen dispersal mechanisms (anemophilous vs. entomophilous).
• Development of plant selection criteria and avoidance strategies for landscapes.

Main Results:

• Identification of entomophilous plants as generally producing lower pollen counts than anemophilous species.
• Provision of practical guidance on selecting low-allergenic plants for residential and public landscapes.
• Review of other biological hazards in landscaping and recommended avoidance methods.

Conclusions:

• Creating low-allergenic landscapes is achievable through informed plant selection and management.
• Guidance is provided for allergists to assist patients in reducing landscape allergen exposure.
• Recommendations aim to protect gardeners, landscapers, and horticultural workers from biological hazards.