Allergy-free gardens.(Front Lines)(Column)

Just because you have asthma or allergies doesn't mean your landscaping must be limited to silk flowers in window boxes, little white pebbles, and statuary.

You can plant a wide range of big, showy flowers, shrubs, and trees that won't make you wheeze, cry, or sniffle.

Basic principles: Avoid wind-pollinated plants, including grasses, many trees, and some shrubs (see chart at right). Instead, choose insect-pollinated plants, which tend to have heavier pollen that doesn't become airborne easily. Those include many fruit trees, shrubs, and brightly colored flowers.

Also consider steering clear of strong-scented flowers or trees even though most have pollen that isn't wind-borne, because strong scents sometimes aggravate allergies.

Other preventive measures can also help control allergies:

* Ask a family member who doesn't have allergies to mow and weed. Keep your lawn closely cut (no more than 2 inches high) to reduce pollen.

* Close house windows before mowing, and keep them closed for a few hours afterward.