Don’t wait until Mother’s Day or other special observance to buy someone or yourself flowers. Flowers are an all-natural mood booster and pick-me-up, according to a Harvard Medical School and General Hospital study. People with fresh-cut flowers in their homes or offices felt more compassion and kindness for others, had a positive mood and greater energy and enthusiasm for work.

Can flowers work their magic for allergy sufferers too? I have always avoided fresh-cut flowers in my home because of allergy sensitivity. I’ll never forget an allergy/asthma attack spurred on by having fresh sunflowers in a vase.

Turns out I could have been enjoying flowers’ many positive benefits if I had known which ones to select. Certain flowers have less or no effect on allergy symptoms, according to webmd.com. These allergy-friendly flowers are the best ones for allergy sufferers.

Best flowers for people with allergies

If sending flowers, ask your florist to recommend an arrangement for people with allergies. Some flowers or plants they might suggest include begonia, cactus, clematis, columbine, crocus, daffodil and geranium. Hosta, hydrangea, iris, lily, periwinkle, rose, tulip, zinnia and orchids make good choices, too.

Good choices for allergy sufferers:

•Orchids lack excessive amounts of pollen.

•Roses come without the centers that contain the pollen.

•Carnations are available without the center of pollen.

•Hydrangea plant comes in an assortment of beautiful colors.

•Hosta is always popular for allergy sufferers, and require minimal sunlight and water.

•Geranium makes an excellent potted plant choice.

Some of the worst choices for allergy sufferers:

•Jasmine has a heavy scent that can aggravate bouts of sneezing.

•Dusty Miller produces lots of pollen dust.

•Sunflowers with their large centers are laden with pollen.

•Lilies, only if you get the pollen-free varieties, available at your florist.

•Chamomile, chrysanthemums, daisies and goldenrod are excessive pollen producers.

In general, avoid getting flowers that are strongly fragrant or have large amounts of pollen. Select safe flowers when hosting events like weddings or parties in consideration of your allergy-prone guests. Plant allergy-friendly flowers in your yard and garden pots.