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Low-Allergen Village Garden, Bramley Hampshire
By North East Hampshire based garden designer Sarah Plested. The owner of this garden had a severe hayfever allergy so after research, the plant selection was based on non-wind pollinated plants, flower shape reducing pollen exposure and ground cover plants to prevent weeds.
The dining terrace has been positioned in the centre of the garden to capture the sun throughout the day and the gravel paths lead through archways to a utility area in one corner and a mindful space with swing seat in the opposite corner.
Trees such as Malus x zumi ‘Golden Hornet’ and espalier pear trees provide spring colour and are bee pollinated. The row of Hebes are simple to maintain and will spill over the path providing evergreen winter structure.
Artificial lawn provides a low allergen solution that’s also low maintenance. Prunus lusitanica creates an evergreen backdrop to the sandstone birdbath. The Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ introduces a rich foliage colour to contrast the buff paving and gravel.
Whilst grasses couldn’t be used in the scheme, Verbena bonariensis and Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’ provide movement and add an ephemeral quality to the planting.
The trees selected produce blossom which attract bees for pollination, as do the lavender.
Roses are a good low allergen selection as their petals contain the pollen and, along with the lavender, provide a lovely fragrance all summer long. As the oak sleepers silver with age they compliment the silvery foliage of the lavender and white blooms of the rose ‘Margaret Merrill’.
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Designed by Sarah Plested