LOW-ALLERGY GARDEN

Creating a low-allergen garden

Above, left inset: © Dorling Kindersley: James Young; Above, right inset © Dorling Kindersley: Mark Winwood/RHS Wisley

The recently published RHS The Wellbeing Garden, by Professor Alistair Griffiths and Matthew Keightley is an eye-opening practical guide to making your garden good for you. Themes include how plants can form a barrier against air and noise pollution, which birdsong alleviates anxiety and how plants can help to save energy – this excerpt is about how you can create a low-allergen garden

With the right plants, your same plant, while dioecious plants, such as can design a space that will minimize pollen garden can be a haven –holly, juniper, and some grasses, have male levels and ease allergy symptoms. even for allergy-sufferers –plants with only male flowers and female all year round. Although plants that have only female flowers. Male Pick your flowers it’s not possible to dioecious plants produce pollen, and the Colourful, eye-catching flowers, such as eliminate all pollen-producing plants from a female plants produce fruits or seeds but no peonies, violets, and pansies, produce very garden – or even desirable, since they are pollen. little airborne pollen and these, along with beneficial to bees and other pollinating insects Some plants produce much less pollen than flowers that att ract bees and other pollinating – some plants will actually remove pollen others (see opposite), and sterile plants, which insects, such as penstemon and antirrhinum, from the air by trapping the grains. Other have no m ale or female flowers, produce no are generally the best choices for hayfever plants produce much lower levels of pollen, pollen at all. Sterile plants, low-pollen sufferers. Most double flowers also produce and so, with careful design and planting, producers, and the females of dioecious plants little pollen, and while they do not provide allergy-sufferers can enjoy their gardens are the best choices for a low-allergen garden. much food for pollinators, some, such as throughout the year. climbing roses, offer refuges and nesting sites Blowing in the wind for other wildlife. POLLEN AND ALLERGIES Some wind and water-pollinated plants Plants with hooded or tubular flowers, As any hayfever sufferer knows, not all plants produce large quantities of pollen in order to including foxgloves and agapanthus, have low bring a sense of wellbeing. For the estimated be successful in reproducing and surviving, OPALS ra tings. Ornamental grasses, 10 to 30 per cent of adults and whereas many animal- and insect-pollinated singleflowered daisies, and chrysanthemums, 40 per cent of children globally who suffer plants produce less pollen to reproduce and on the other hand, should be avoided. If you from hay fever, being outside when the pollen sur vive. However, even within animal- and really love the look of ornamental grasses, try count is high is not always an idyllic prospect. insect-pollinated plant groups, some produce female grasses or strappy-leaved foliage plants

Pollen is produced by the male reproductive less pollen than others. such as Libertia or Phormium, which have parts of a plant and transferred, either by US horticulturist Tom Ogren created insect-pollinated flowers and a lower OPALS wind, water, or via insects and animals, to the the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale (OPALS), which rating. stigma, the female part of a plant, for measures allergenicity of plants. Intensely scented plants such as wisteria pollination. Fertilization then takes place and A rating of one is the lowest and 10 is the and jasmine may trigger sensitivities to smell, the plant produces seeds. highest. Birch, for example, has an OPALS so steer clear o f these too. rating of nine, while a foxglove’s rating is just Sex matters two. Use this scale to help you to select plant s Lose the lawn Perfect-flowered plants, such as some for your garden with low amounts of pollen. Lawns can be great for wildlife, but are not foxgloves, lilies, and roses, have both male ideal for allergy sufferers, so consider other and female parts together in the same flower. A HAVEN FOR ALLERGY-SUFFERERS g round cover or opt for gravel or decking. Monoecious plants, such as birch and hazel, Allergies don’t have to prevent you enjoying Hard surfaces can help to keep pollen h ave separate male and female flowers on the your garden. With a few clever strategies, you airborne, so choose greenery to trap pollen

grains from the air. Interlace paving with groundcover plants, such as creeping thyme, that will trap pollen grains and soften hard edges. If you can’t bear to lose your lawn, make sure that it is kept short to prevent the grass from flowering.

Choosing a hedge

It’s impossible to banish all pollen from your garden, but you can ensure that it is easily blown away by installing permeable boundaries, such as t rellis, to increase air f low. You could also try planting a lowallergen hedge along the windward side of your garden to capture pollen before it reaches you.

Opt for hedging plants that produce flowers, rather than catkins, and that have scaly or hairy leaves to trap pollen and pollutant particles, such as hawthorn, Choisya , Pittosporum , and Escallonia . Female forms of dioecious plants, such as a berry-pro ducing female holly plant, ar e also attractive and effective, but steer clear of privet, which has an OPALS rating of nine.

Your tree options

While many trees, including birch, hazel, and junipers, are wind-pollinated and best avoided, there are some beautiful flowering species, such as apples, cherries and rowans, that produce little airborne pollen and are perfect for small to medium-sized gardens.

LOW-ALLERGEN PLANTS

These plants all have a low OPALS rating, making them good choices for an allergy-friendly garden. 1 Snapdragon (Antirrhinum) has two lipped flowers that come in a range of colours (see main image opposite). OPALS rating: 1. 2 Female silver-margined holly (Ilex aquifolium ‘Argentea Marginata’) bears bright red berries in autumn. OPALS rating: 1. 3 Whitebeam (Sorbus aria) is a deciduous tree that produces clusters of white flowers in spring and red berries in early autumn (see left inset opposite). OPALS rating: 3. 4 Clematis (Clematis armandii) bears scented, star-shaped, creamy-white flowers in spring. OPALS rating: 3. 5 Garden pinks (Dianthus) have small sprays of fragrant, saucer-shaped flowers in a range of colours (see right inset opposite). OPALS rating: 3. 6 African lily (Agapanthus) be ars spherical heads of trumpet-shaped blue, occasionally white, flowers in summer (see image above right). OPALS rating: 2.

RHS Your Wellbeing Garden by Professor Alistair Griffiths and Matthew Keightley is published by Dorling Kindersley. Hardback, £16.99

Create space with a garden room

GARDEN OFFICES • LOG CABINS • STUDIOS • SUMMERHOUSES POSH SHEDS • TIMBER GARAGES • OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES

01225 774566 • www.gardenaffairs.co.uk

Ahandsome detached family home tucked away at the end of a quiet cul de sac. This attractive ‘Scandi’ style property has been comprehensively refurbished throughout and sympathetically extended by the current owners and provides a perfect blend of energy performant accommodation with lovely contemporary ‘Green’ finishes, which include seasoned Oak double glazed windows and a Sedum roof.

The property has been architecturally designed and extended to provide a beautifully presented, open plan 4 bedroom family home with an adjoining self-contained 2 bedroom annexe. Both the house and annexe have pretty well stocked mature gardens and off-street parking along with a large timber framed garden store and an attractive garden pod that is currently being used as an at home office.

The main body of the house has a wonderful double aspect sitting room which is linked to a large, well equipped, light and airy kitchen and dining room with handsome bi fold doors that span the width of the property and lead onto the pretty gardens. In addition, there are 4 lovely bedrooms, the master has an en-suite wet room and there is also a family bathroom. The annexe which can be independently accessed to the side of the property is linked via the main entrance hall and is entered into a large open plan dining room, kitchen and at home office space. Leading from the kitchen there is generously proportioned family room which leads through to 2 bedrooms and a bath and shower room.

This is a quite exceptional property and a viewing is strongly recommended by the sole agents Cobb Farr.

Woodland Grove, Bath

• Detached ’Scandi’ style family home • Four bedrooms, two bathrooms • Garden office pod • Off street parking • 2 bedroom self-contained annexe • Highly sought after residential area close to excellent amenities

OIEO £1M

Bailbrook Lane, Bath £1,950,000 A stunning detached 5 bedroom property with ¾ acre landscaped gardens arranged over 2 floors with superb living accommodation throughout with an open plan luxury kitchen/dining/living room with doors opening onto the balcony overlooking meadow grass land and separate family room.

• Contemporary detached house, 3465 sq ft • 5 double bedrooms • Fabric first approach to energy efficiency • ¾ acre of landscaped gardens

Peter Greatorex managing director of The apartment Company

How to style your balcony to appeal to buyers

Balconies are a wonderful outside space that we know apartment owners cherish, a place where you can enjoy a coffee in the morning, or a sip of a tipple in the evening. With stunning views all over the city, they are a little haven that you can make your own. Although enjoyed often, these areas, which are an extension of your home, can get ignored when people are decorating their home. It doesn’t matter the size of the space you have to play with, at The Apartment Company we have put together some ideas on how to style your balcony to appeal to buyers.

A little lighting: As the night starts to set in and the light begins to fade, you may still want to remain sitting outside to finish some pages of a good book, or just to relax. There are an abundance of light choices available. Fairy lights look lovely draped around the walls and railings, and you can create a warm ambience with lanterns placed in groups in a corner. You can add more light into specific areas by placing stakes in large flower pots where you can position hanging lights. Don’t worry about having cables trailing along your little outside space, with a variety of solar lights available you don’t have to compromise on style.

A little bit of green: It doesn’t matter how much space you have, every single place can be transformed with a little touch of something green, whether that’s flowers or a lovely leafy plant. Hanging planters are a great idea for adding some colour to railings and can also add some texture to those balconies that are on the smaller side. For larger spaces, adding planters will allow you to add a wealth of foliage and colour; contrasting shades will create a calming environment, a perfect place for you to relax. You can also use a shelving unit in the corner or against a wall to create a mini garden – or what about a living wall? These are great ways of adding colour without taking up precious space.

A little rug: There is so much choice when it comes to decorating your outside space these days, and one thing we have seen a lot of is adding a rug – this can really transform the area and make it elegantly cosy. You can purchase specific weatherproof outdoor rugs that are hardwearing, which means no matter what the season or the weather, your balcony will always look stylish.

A little comfort: Now we know that you want to make the most of your balcony, and that means making it a space where you can relax. Furniture can take up a lot of room, which is why collapsible pieces are probably a better choice; plus, they can be stored away neatly in the winter months. You can also purchase sets that hook over railings, which again are a great space-saving solution. Alternatively, you may wish to add a statement chair – your chair, the place where you sit and watch the world go by, in your own little luxurious haven.

A little appeal: When you add style to your balcony, you are truly increasing the appeal of your apartment to potential buyers. For more advice on how to style your home and grab buyers’ attention, give our team a call on 01225 471144.

Best of both worlds: Hope House offers tranquil parkland living within walking distance from Bath city centre

Situated in six acres of parkland within walking distance from Bath city centre, Hope House is proving popular with a recent flurry of sales agreed following the ease of lockdown restrictions. Developed by Galliard Homes and Acorn Property Group, the scheme comprises a magnificent restored Georgian mansion alongside newly-built apartments and townhouses, providing 58 homes within the landscaped grounds.

Buyers have been attracted to the development’s unique offering of a rural lifestyle within a city location. Hope House has formal landscaped gardens and countryside views as well as being walking distance from the Bath’s vibrant centre and connections into London, with this balance creating a fantastic environment to call home. There is also a residents-only tennis court, seating and mature trees for residents to enjoy.

The transformation of Hope House was undertaken in partnership with heritage specialists Nash Partnership, with specification by award-winning design house Lambart & Browne and landscaping by Matthew Wigan Associates.

The Grade II listed Georgian mansion now provides seven luxurious 2 and 4 bedroom apartments overlooking the scheme’s formal lawn and parkland beyond. Next to the Hope House listed building is Park Row, an elegant terrace of 3 and 4 bedroom townhouses with the Show House styled by Andrew Henry Interiors. Lining the new entrance road to the scheme is Hope Place, two terraces, providing six, classic 3 bedroom townhouses and 20, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments

Honey-coloured Bath Stone, sash windows, quality paving and handcrafted metalwork have been incorporated into the new build elements of the scheme, enabling them to complement the listed mansion. The scheme is now almost 70% sold overall, with many residents enjoying the lifestyle on offer.

Prices at Hope House currently range from £325,000 for a 1 bedroom apartment, from £795,000 for a 2 bedroom apartment, from £995,000 for a 3 bedroom townhouse, and from £2,350,000 for a 4 bedroom apartment. The Show Homes at Hope House are available to view Tuesday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm. To view the virtual tours or for more information on Hope House please call Tel: 01225 614 307 or visit: acornpropertygroup.org/development/hope-house-bath

Newbridge Andrewsonline.co.uk

SOLD STC

Newbridge Road Weston BA1 £549,000

Recently sold - subject to contract. This four bedroom Victorian home offers a beautifully retained and restored character features with a modern blend for family living. Complete with restored fire place in the sitting room and decked seating areas to the side and rear of the property in the private garden. Energy Efficiency Rating: TBC

01225 809 685 bath.newbridge@andrewsonline.co.uk

Bear Flat Andrewsonline.co.uk

To view more properties and other services available visit Andrewsonline.co.uk

Flat 2, Bloomfield Road, BA2 £495,000

This substantial three double bedroom Grade II listed maisonette has it’s own beautiful private garden and is one of two properties within this converted semi-detached Victorian villa. Positioned on Bloomfield Road Bear Flat the elevation of the property offers far reaching views over Bloomfield Green situated directly opposite. Energy Efficiency Rating: D

Attwood Apartment

O.I.E.O £650,000 A unique and beautifully appointed three bedroom apartment set within charming mature gardens with south facing private terrace. The apartment boasts a large open plan living area with high spec stylish kitchen and space to dine. Contemporary build · Ground floor apartment · Two double bedrooms · Study room/third bedroom · Allocated parking space · EPC rating: B · Approx. 1029 Sq. Ft. · Two acres of beautiful communal gardens

Northanger

O.I.E.O £530,000 This unique city centre apartment is located in the highly sought after Northanger Court. This apartment is located just off Great Pulteney Street and is a short level walk into the local amenities, shops and restaurants. Three bedroom apartment · Riverside living · Three communal gardens · Second floor apartment · Lift access · EPC rating: C · Approx. 906 Sq. Ft. · Allocated parking

Suffolk House

O.I.E.O £435,000 Nestled within Suffolk House is a charming, light and airy apartment, benefitting from its own private entrance and private courtyard garden. This apartment would make a wonderful family home and investment property. Victorian apartment · Three bedrooms · Study/dressing room · Private patio area · Allocated parking · Spacious property · Approx. 1,216 Sq. Ft. Communal gardens

NEW

St Peters Court

O.I.E.O £255,000 The Apartment Company is delighted to bring to the market this fabulous ground floor one bedroom apartment. Formally being part of the Victorian Church, this property has been perfectly converted to combine city living with a quiet relaxing environment. Victorian conversion · Ground floor apartment · Private patio · Allocated gated parking · Spacious living area · Short walk into the city centre · Approx. 592 Sq. Ft. · One double bedroom