UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES

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Clementine Alexander
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1 UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES Herald & Hume

2 Who are we? Shenagh Hume specialist asthma and allergy nurse, garden designer, and garden adviser for Allergy UK Jackie Herald designer of award winning school gardens (SGD Community Spaces, ) and freelance writer 2

3 Beverley Adams Groom 2015 Nature s gold 3

4 OUR FOCUS TODAY Pollen allergy scientific evidence and statistics Impact on human health an everyday perspective Designing out pollen allergy through plant selection and landscape design 4

5 UK allergy statistics 18 million people suffer hay fever in the UK The incidence of allergic disease has doubled in last 30 years 80% of people with asthma will also suffer hay fever 3 people die of asthma every day: this figure has risen in 2015 source: Allergy UK 5

6 Lancelot Capability Brown Died of asthma February

7 Close your eyes and imagine!. 7

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9 Jackie Herald 2016 BBC Countryfile Spring Diaries 2016

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12 shenagh Hume 2016 Video alder pollen 12

13 UK Pollen calendar 14

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15 First principle of treating allergy is AVOIDANCE!!!!!! (of the allergen) 16

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17 THE ALLERGIC MARCH There is a direct correlation between asthma, hay fever (Allergic rhinitis), eczema and food allergies 18

18 19 Shenagh Hume 2016

19 Shenagh Hume 2016 HIGH POLLEN DESIGN one place of many 20

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23 WORLD EVIDENCE Madrid, Spain - Plane Amman, Jordan - Olive Arhus, Denmark Birch 24

24 Scientific evidence Urban green zones and related pollen allergy - UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES - lack of planning in the design of urban spaces and in the choice of ornamental species has been among the factors triggering one of the most widespread diseases in urban populations: pollen allergy. Urban green zones and related pollen allergy: A review. Some guidelines for designing spaces with low allergy impact. Paloma Cari nanos, Manuel Casares-Porcel, Department of Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Spain. Landscape and Urban Planning 101 (2011) Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved 25

25 Herald & Hume 2015 PLANTING FOR HEALTH and a breath of fresh air 26

26 Key measures to reduce impacts of pollen and its harmful effects on urban allergy Increase plant biodiversity Avoid mass use of male individuals of dioecious species Choose low-to-moderate pollen production Avoid large focal pollen sources by respecting planting distances Obtain expert advice when selecting suitable species Establish local authority by-laws to ensure sufficient time allowed for planning Landscape and Urban Planning 101 (2011) Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved 27

27 BOTANICAL BASICS 28

28 FUNNEL FUNNEL TUBULAR BELL / CAMPANULATE DOUBLE 29

29 Shenagh Hume 2016 Shenagh Hume

30 BE GUIDED BY THE OPALS SCALE OF ALLERGENICITY shenagh Hume

31 Don t be fooled! Pittosporum tenuifolium Irene Paterson (7) Pittosporum tenuifolium Silver Queen (1) 32

32 Ligustrum ovalifolium (9) Escallonia Iveyi (3) 33

33 Betula pendula (9) Sorbus aria Lutescens (4) 34

34 Elodie - a newly introduced pollen- and perfume-free lily (0) Shenagh Hume 2016

35 36 Shenagh Hume 2016 Shenagh Hume 2016

36 Go soft!..a thick, healthy, regularly mowed lawn makes an excellent trap for pollen that comes from nearby trees or shrubs. When this pollen lands on the lawn, it eventually gravitates down below the surface of the grass, and effectively is taken out of circulation. Peter Prakke healthyschoolyards.org + safegardening.org 37

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38 Shenagh Hume 2016 Shenagh Hume

39 BEFORE BEFORE AFTER

KEY POINTS Choose low pollen emitting plants 0-5 on the OPALS scale Select females for low pollen levels, and their flowers, berries and fruit Avoid

40 KEY POINTS Choose low pollen emitting plants 0-5 on the OPALS scale Select females for low pollen levels, and their flowers, berries and fruit Avoid monocultures (also for biodiversity and biosecurity) Regular maintenance, e.g. mown lawns and clipped hedges Celebrate with more flowers and colour! 41

41 Right plant Right placement 42

42 Priority for low pollen planting Clients with asthma, hay fever or eczema Public spaces Schools Hospitals Hospices Health care environments We acknowledge the fundamental work that Lucy Huntington undertook on low allergen gardens including the support of the late John Donaldson, who died of an asthma attack and left a legacy to pay for her 3 rd RHS Chelsea show garden. 43

43 Next Steps Primary focus is on reducing exposure to pollen and how pollen levels link to both air pollution and climate change Ensure that scientific, evidence based reasons inform tree planting and maintenance policies for public spaces Form a Multi-disciplinary team including engineers, plant experts, creative designers, and specialist allergy health professionals 44

44 shenagh Hume 2016 Dr Bill Frankland MBE Started the first pollen count at St Mary s Hospital Paddington 45

45 Herald & Hume healthy gardens with style JACKIE jackieherald aol.com SHENAGH www. gardendesignadviser.com 46

Why does the body develop allergies?

Why does the body develop allergies? Allergies & Hay Fever Millions of Americans suffer from nasal allergies, commonly known as hay fever. Often fragrant flowers are blamed for the uncomfortable symptoms, yet they are rarely the cause; their