AROUND 3 million Australians - 15 per cent of the population, will experience hay fever symptoms this spring, but an expert from Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens says flowers are not to blame.
Pollen often gets the blame for dreaded hay fever symptoms, including itchy watery eyes, runny noses and itchy throat.
But the Gardens' director of horticulture Jimmy Turner- who suffers from allergies himself, said he wanted to set the record straight about spring allergies.
"This time of year allergy sufferers walk outside, sneeze and then look for the nearest flowering plant to blame," he said.
"Just because your neighbour's wattle is in bloom doesn't make it the evil culprit."
"Pollen on flowering plants usually travel no more than a few inches by wind and these plants rely on butterflies, bees and other pollinators to move their pollen from plant to plant."
"The true cause of our allergies is usually from wind pollinated grasses and trees and the one that may be causing your head to feel like it is going to explode may be thousands of kilometres from your home."
"It's easy to blame flowers because you've most likely never noticed ryegrass, couch or other grasses in bloom."
"The large tree culprits you need to be aware of as well include the London plane, oak, pines and she oaks."
Studies have shown most hay fever is caused by mould, dust and pollen from grass and trees.
The best plants to have in the garden at this time of year are low allergen plants which are pollinated by birds and bees, including roses, kangaroo paws, begonias, orchids, snapdragon, native fuschia, nemesia, cut-lead daisy, fan-flower, nodding blue lily and billy buttons.
Jimmy offered some other handy tips on how to keep hay fever at bay.
-Garden early in the morning as pollen levels are lower in the morning.
-Mow your lawn regularly to keep grass pollen down.
-Keep on top of weeds as they are the cause of most pollen issues.
-Choose the right plants in your own landscape such as low allergen plants.
-Have a good air purifier indoors during hay fever season.
Jimmy said he and his team were looking forward to showing off their three botanic garden spring displays over the season and would be happy to explain more about hay fever to sneezing visitors.
For more information on what is flowering at Sydney Royal Botanic Garden, Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan and Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah, click here.