More Marvelous Plants Starting With The Letter P

• Pieris - This genus is made up of around seven species. These beautiful evergreen shrubs and small trees are native to China and Japan. The specimens will do well in zones six through nine in the United States. The Pieris will do well in partial shade and moist, and somewhat acidic soil. The tallest of these specimens can mature up to twelve feet, but most run around four to five feet in height. This family is a wonderful shrub for it's display of late fall to winter foliage. In late winter to early spring, brilliant flowing pink or white flowers emerge. This family is one of my favorites to incorporate in a garden with some deciduous shrubs. They can get leggy after bloom time and should be pruned. Here is some more information on the marvelous Pieris Japonica family.









• Pimelea - This family has around eighty species. They are considered evergreen shrubs that tend to become woody. They are native and popular in Australia and will grow in zones nine through eleven in the United States. These species are in the same family as the Daphnes. These are wonderful small compact shrubs that will mature three to four feet in height. Pimelea will grow best in full sun, light, and well drained soil. The family is sensitive to heavy frosts. The highlight of this genus is in the springtime when clusters of pink to mauve color flowers appear. Thespectabilis variety produces yellow masses of three inch flowers in early summer. Great specimens for a variety of different style
gardens.
• Pinus - Pine - This is one of the most popular evergreen conifers in the Northern Hemisphere. About one hundred and twenty species make up the genus. The United States, Mexico, and China have a lot of the varieties of Pines. Other countries that have some of the varieties are Siberia, the Alps, Central Europe, and the Mediterranean region. In the United States this family will grow from zones two through nine. One of the most versatile families as the Pinus will adapt to almost any type of environment and soil conditions. Some varieties can take heavy frosts, others like the sub-tropical to tropical climates. Pines are also a group of specimens that tend to have a wide variety of fungus present. Pinus is known for its timber and is a soft wood. Furniture, floors, and rooms are built using this wood. The knots in the wood make the Pinus a unique plant. In my interior-decorating-ideas-for-you Web site take a look at a page of how a mountain retreat is decorated in all pine. Cabin Fever creates a rustic and soothing look. Pines vary in height and can reach over one hundred feet. I have seen the diversity in varieties from the tropical Pinus to cold weather Pines. It amazes me the different structure of the needles and thickness of the varieties from a warm climate to a colder region. In my zone seven, one of the problems we encounter is ice storms and ice building up on these soft wooded trees. Pine trees make a wonderful privacy backdrop.





• Pittosporum - Over two hundred species make up this genus. This family is primary native to New Zealand, but some varieties will grown in Australia. The Pittosporum will do well in zones seven through eleven in the United States. This family can take full sun or partial shade and needs a well drained soil. In cooler climates, it is best to keep this plant in a sheltered area. Some of specimens look marvelous in a seaside garden setting. The Australian Laurel in this genus will mature up to eighty feet tall. Take a look at some more information on the Pittosporum family.



• Plantanus - Sycamore - This is a small family of about six members. The marvelous Sycamore is native to Mexico and North America. They will grow well in zones three through ten in the United States. This genus is known for being a street tree as many neighborhoods that grow this specie has them lined throughout their streets. The Sycamore loves well drained soil in a sunny location. This is an easy to grow tree as it will take pollution and even severe pruning, which I don't recommend. Properly pruning trees and shrubs will ensure their natural growth pattern. Some varieties will also grow in Turkey.
• Palycladus - Arborvitae - beautiful specimen of the conifers. Native to China and Korea, the family will grow well in zones six through eleven in the United States. This is one of the most popular evergreen trees in these regions to plant for privacy. The specimen is a fast grower and can grow up to three feet a year. The rich green tone of the leaves make the trees and shrubs a great focal point in gardens and landscapes. They are marvelous specimens for complimenting Loropetalum and Cypress families. You can learn a little bit more about Arborvitae family in gallery of plants section.
• Plectranthus - This genus is made up of around three hundred and fifty species. South Africa is home to most of these annual and perennial shrubs. There are some specimens in Australia also. The marvelous plectranthus will grow in zones nine through eleven in the United States. This family is frost tender and people love putting these plants indoors or as ornamental in a ground or container garden. The specimens love well drained and moist soil and prefer partial shade. If in any form of drought, they will need to be kept watered. The marvelous aspect of these shrubs is the purple tone stems on each shrub. In spring, the clusters of light tone violet flowers appear. A very striking family.




• Plumbago - Leafwart - Around fifteen species make up this family. These are sub-tropical to tropical climbers that are native to South Africa and India. They will grow in zones nine through eleven in the United States. The small clusters of red, blue or white flowers emerge in the late spring throughout the warmer months. These annual, deciduous, or evergreen shrubs love well drained soil with organic matter added to the soil. This specie will do well in warm greenhouses and is great in an informal garden setting. Pruning of these marvelous and attractive plants can be done during the winter months.

The seven families above are marvelous examples of more letter P specimens in the list of plants. What a wide variety of trees, shrubs and beautiful flowers constitute this letter.