40 Flowers That Start With P: Names, Pictures & Growing Tips

Looking for flower names that start with P? You have come to the right place. The letter P is packed with garden stars — from the lush, ruffled blooms of peonies to the heat-proof carpets of petunias, the cheerful faces of pansies, and the fragrant bells of primroses. Whether you are planting a pollinator border, filling containers with instant color, or helping a child with an alphabet garden project, this guide covers 40 real flowers that start with P, each with a photo-worthy description and practical growing advice.

Every entry below includes the flower’s scientific name, bloom season, sun needs, and USDA hardiness zone, so you can tell at a glance which P-flowers will thrive in your yard. You will also find two quick comparison tables, beginner-friendly growing tips, and answers to the most common questions gardeners ask about flowers beginning with P — including the prettiest pink, purple, and white P-flowers and which ones come back year after year. Let’s dig in.

P-Flowers at a Glance

Use this table to compare all 40 flowers that start with P side by side, from botanical names to native regions.

Flower name	Scientific name	Type	Color	Native region
Peony	Paeonia lactiflora	Herbaceous perennial	Pink, white, red, coral	East Asia
Garden Phlox	Phlox paniculata	Herbaceous perennial	Pink, purple, white, red	Eastern North America
Petunia	Petunia × hybrida	Annual	Purple, pink, white, red, yellow	South America (hybrid origin)
Pansy	Viola × wittrockiana	Cool-season annual	Purple, yellow, white, blue, orange	Europe (hybrid origin)
Primrose	Primula vulgaris	Herbaceous perennial	Yellow, pink, white, purple	Europe, Western Asia
Oriental Poppy	Papaver orientale	Herbaceous perennial	Orange-red, pink, white	Western Asia
California Poppy	Eschscholzia californica	Annual (short-lived perennial)	Orange, yellow	Western North America
Plumeria (Frangipani)	Plumeria rubra	Tropical shrub/small tree	Pink, white, yellow, red	Mexico, Central America
Moss Rose	Portulaca grandiflora	Succulent annual	Pink, red, orange, yellow, white	South America
Poinsettia	Euphorbia pulcherrima	Tender shrub	Red, white, pink (bracts)	Mexico
Purple Coneflower	Echinacea purpurea	Herbaceous perennial	Purple-pink, white	Central and Eastern North America
Penstemon (Beardtongue)	Penstemon spp.	Herbaceous perennial	Purple, pink, red, blue, white	North America
Pincushion Flower	Scabiosa columbaria	Herbaceous perennial	Blue, purple, pink, white	Europe, Asia, Africa
Peace Lily	Spathiphyllum wallisii	Tropical houseplant	White	Colombia, Venezuela
King Protea	Protea cynaroides	Evergreen shrub	Pink, red, white, cream	South Africa
Pasque Flower	Pulsatilla vulgaris	Herbaceous perennial	Purple, white, red	Europe
Persian Buttercup	Ranunculus asiaticus	Tuberous perennial	Red, pink, orange, yellow, white	Eastern Mediterranean
Garden Pinks	Dianthus plumarius	Herbaceous perennial	Pink, white, red	Central and Eastern Europe
Madagascar Periwinkle	Catharanthus roseus	Tender perennial (grown as annual)	Pink, white, red, purple	Madagascar
Passionflower	Passiflora incarnata	Perennial vine	Purple and white	Southeastern North America
Pear Blossom	Pyrus communis	Deciduous tree	White	Europe, Western Asia
Prickly Pear	Opuntia humifusa	Cactus	Yellow, orange-red	Eastern North America
Prairie Coneflower	Ratibida pinnata	Herbaceous perennial	Yellow	Central North America
Parrot’s Beak	Lotus berthelotii	Tender perennial	Red-orange	Canary Islands
Pearly Everlasting	Anaphalis margaritacea	Herbaceous perennial	White	North America, Asia
Cape Plumbago	Plumbago auriculata	Tender shrub	Blue, white	South Africa
Pentas (Egyptian Starcluster)	Pentas lanceolata	Tender perennial	Red, pink, purple, white	East Africa, Arabia
Pot Marigold	Calendula officinalis	Annual	Orange, yellow	Southern Europe (garden origin)
Pink Jasmine	Jasminum polyanthum	Evergreen vine	Pink buds, white flowers	China
Polyantha Rose	Rosa (Polyantha Group)	Deciduous shrub	Pink, red, white, orange	Hybrid origin
Tree Peony	Paeonia suffruticosa	Woody shrub	Pink, white, red, purple	China
Persian Violet	Exacum affine	Tender perennial/houseplant	Purple-blue, white	Socotra (Yemen)
Pride of Madeira	Echium candicans	Evergreen shrub	Blue-purple	Madeira
Prairie Blazing Star	Liatris pycnostachya	Herbaceous perennial	Purple-pink	Central North America
Pussy Willow	Salix discolor	Deciduous shrub	Silvery-gray catkins	North America
Prairie Smoke	Geum triflorum	Herbaceous perennial	Pink to smoky-rose	North America
Pickerelweed	Pontederia cordata	Aquatic perennial	Blue-violet	Eastern North America
Evening Primrose	Oenothera biennis	Biennial	Yellow	North America
Princess Flower	Tibouchina urvilleana	Tropical shrub	Purple	Brazil
Paper Daisy	Xerochrysum bracteatum	Annual/tender perennial	Yellow, orange, pink, white	Australia

Bloom Season, Sun Needs & Hardiness Zones

Planning your garden calendar? This second table shows when each P-flower blooms, how much sun it wants, and the USDA zones where it grows outdoors year-round.

Flower name	Bloom season	Sun needs	Hardiness zone
Peony	Late spring to early summer	Full sun	3–8
Garden Phlox	Summer	Full sun to part shade	4–8
Petunia	Summer to fall	Full sun	Grown as annual
Pansy	Spring and fall (cool seasons)	Full sun to part shade	Grown as cool-season annual
Primrose	Spring	Part shade	4–8
Oriental Poppy	Late spring to early summer	Full sun	3–7
California Poppy	Spring to summer	Full sun	6–10; self-sows freely
Plumeria (Frangipani)	Summer to fall	Full sun	10–12; container elsewhere
Moss Rose	Summer to fall	Full sun	Grown as annual
Poinsettia	Winter (colorful bracts)	Bright indirect light	9–11; houseplant elsewhere
Purple Coneflower	Summer	Full sun	3–8
Penstemon (Beardtongue)	Late spring to summer	Full sun	3–9 (varies by species)
Pincushion Flower	Summer to fall	Full sun	3–7
Peace Lily	Year-round indoors	Bright indirect light	Houseplant (11–12 outdoors)
King Protea	Spring to summer	Full sun	9–11
Pasque Flower	Early spring	Full sun	4–8
Persian Buttercup	Spring	Full sun	8–10; annual elsewhere
Garden Pinks	Late spring to early summer	Full sun	3–9
Madagascar Periwinkle	Summer to fall	Full sun	9–11; annual elsewhere
Passionflower	Summer to fall	Full sun	6–9
Pear Blossom	Spring	Full sun	4–8
Prickly Pear	Early summer	Full sun	4–9
Prairie Coneflower	Summer	Full sun	3–8
Parrot’s Beak	Spring to summer	Full sun	9–11; annual elsewhere
Pearly Everlasting	Summer to fall	Full sun to part shade	3–8
Cape Plumbago	Summer to fall	Full sun	8–11
Pentas (Egyptian Starcluster)	Summer to fall	Full sun	9–11; annual elsewhere
Pot Marigold	Spring to fall	Full sun to part shade	Grown as annual
Pink Jasmine	Late winter to spring	Full sun to part shade	8–11
Polyantha Rose	Summer to fall	Full sun	5–9
Tree Peony	Spring	Full sun to part shade	4–8
Persian Violet	Summer to fall	Bright indirect light	9–11; houseplant elsewhere
Pride of Madeira	Spring to early summer	Full sun	9–11
Prairie Blazing Star	Summer	Full sun	3–8
Pussy Willow	Late winter to early spring	Full sun to part shade	4–8
Prairie Smoke	Spring	Full sun	3–7
Pickerelweed	Summer to fall	Full sun	3–10
Evening Primrose	Summer	Full sun	4–9
Princess Flower	Summer to fall	Full sun to part shade	9–11
Paper Daisy	Summer to fall	Full sun	9–11; annual elsewhere

40 Flowers That Start With P: The Complete List

Here they are — 40 beautiful, real flowers beginning with P, each with growing notes so you can pick the right ones for your garden.

1. Peony (Paeonia lactiflora)

Few flowers say “garden luxury” like a peony. Huge, ruffled blooms in pink, white, red, and coral open in late spring on sturdy 2- to 3-foot stems, and a well-planted peony can live 50 years or more. Peonies demand full sun and resent being moved — plant the eyes no more than 2 inches deep or they will refuse to bloom. Stake heavy double varieties before the buds open.

Bloom: Late spring to early summer | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 3–8 | Best for: Long-lived borders, cut flowers

2. Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)

Garden phlox fills the summer border with big, fragrant clusters of pink, purple, white, or red flowers on 2- to 4-foot stems. This eastern North American native loves full sun and rich, moist soil. Good air circulation and resistant varieties like ‘Jeana’ help prevent the powdery mildew phlox is famous for. Deadhead spent clusters to stretch the show into fall.

Bloom: Summer | Sun: Full sun to part shade | Zone: 4–8 | Best for: Fragrant summer borders, cottage gardens

3. Petunia (Petunia × hybrida)

Petunias are the workhorses of summer containers, pumping out trumpet-shaped blooms in nearly every color from planting until frost. Modern Wave and Supertunia series sprawl beautifully over hanging baskets without deadheading, while grandifloras make bolder bedding statements. Give them full sun and regular feeding — petunias are hungry. A midseason haircut revives leggy plants.

Bloom: Summer to fall | Sun: Full sun | Zone: Grown as annual | Best for: Containers, hanging baskets, bedding

4. Pansy (Viola × wittrockiana)

Pansies bring color when little else dares — their cheerful “faces” in purple, yellow, white, and blue thrive in the cool of spring and fall. Plant them 6–8 weeks before first frost for fall bloom, or as soon as soil can be worked in spring. They fade in summer heat, so treat them as a cool-season annual and pull them when temperatures climb.

Bloom: Spring and fall (cool seasons) | Sun: Full sun to part shade | Zone: Grown as cool-season annual | Best for: Spring and fall color, edging

5. Primrose (Primula vulgaris)

Primroses are spring’s gentle openers, with clusters of soft yellow, pink, white, or purple flowers hugging low rosettes of crinkled green leaves. They adore part shade and consistently moist, humus-rich soil — perfect for woodland edges and the shady side of the house. Divide clumps right after flowering every few years to keep them vigorous.

Bloom: Spring | Sun: Part shade | Zone: 4–8 | Best for: Woodland edges, shady spring color

6. Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale)

Oriental poppies produce some of the largest flowers in the garden — crepe-papery blooms up to 6 inches wide in blazing orange-red, pink, or white with dramatic dark centers. They bloom in late spring, then the foliage dies back for summer dormancy (don’t panic — it’s normal). Plant once and never move them; their deep taproots hate disturbance.

Bloom: Late spring to early summer | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 3–7 | Best for: Bold spring statements

7. California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

The California poppy turns hillsides gold each spring with silky orange cups that close at night and on cloudy days. This western native thrives on neglect — full sun, poor soil, and almost no water once established. Sow seeds directly in fall or early spring where you want them; they self-sow freely and return year after year.

Bloom: Spring to summer | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 6–10; self-sows freely | Best for: Wildflower meadows, low-water gardens

8. Plumeria — Frangipani (Plumeria rubra)

Plumeria’s waxy, sweetly fragrant blossoms in pink, white, yellow, and red are the scent of Hawaiian leis. This tropical small tree needs full sun, excellent drainage, and warmth — it goes dormant and drops its leaves in cool weather. In zones below 10, grow it in a pot and overwinter indoors, watering sparingly until spring growth resumes.

Bloom: Summer to fall | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 10–12; container elsewhere | Best for: Fragrance, tropical patios

9. Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora)

Moss rose is the toughest flower in the summer garden — rose-like blooms in hot pink, orange, yellow, and white open over succulent needle-like foliage, shrugging off drought, heat, and poor soil. It needs full sun and almost nothing else; overwatering is its only real enemy. The flowers close in late afternoon and reopen with the morning sun.

Bloom: Summer to fall | Sun: Full sun | Zone: Grown as annual | Best for: Hot dry spots, rock gardens

10. Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

Poinsettias are the signature flower of the holiday season, with brilliant red, white, or pink bracts surrounding tiny true flowers. Keep them in bright indirect light away from drafts and cold windows, watering only when the soil surface dries. Getting one to rebloom takes 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness nightly for 8 weeks — a fun challenge for patient gardeners.

Bloom: Winter (colorful bracts) | Sun: Bright indirect light | Zone: 9–11; houseplant elsewhere | Best for: Holiday displays, indoor color

11. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Purple coneflower is a native prairie star with daisy-like purple-pink petals drooping from spiky orange cones. Blooming all summer in full sun, it feeds butterflies and bees, then feeds goldfinches when the seed heads ripen. Deadhead for more flowers or leave the cones standing for winter interest. One of the easiest perennials a beginner can plant.

Bloom: Summer | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 3–8 | Best for: Pollinator gardens, easy perennials

12. Penstemon — Beardtongue (Penstemon spp.)

Penstemon, or beardtongue, offers tubular flowers in purple, pink, red, blue, and white on upright spikes that hummingbirds can’t resist. With species native across North America, there’s a penstemon for almost every region — just match the species to your climate. They demand excellent drainage and full sun; soggy winter soil is their biggest killer.

Bloom: Late spring to summer | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 3–9 (varies by species) | Best for: Hummingbirds, native gardens

13. Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa columbaria)

Pincushion flowers earn their name from blooms that look like tiny pincushions — frilly blue, purple, pink, or white petals surrounding a domed center on wiry stems. They bloom from summer to fall if deadheaded regularly and make excellent, long-lasting cut flowers. Give them full sun and well-drained soil; they dislike wet feet.

Bloom: Summer to fall | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 3–7 | Best for: Cut flowers, cottage borders

14. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)

Peace lilies are among the most forgiving flowering houseplants, producing elegant white spathes above glossy dark leaves even in lower light. They tell you when they’re thirsty by drooping dramatically, then perk up within hours of watering. Keep them in bright indirect light, away from cold drafts, and wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them gleaming.

Bloom: Year-round indoors | Sun: Bright indirect light | Zone: Houseplant (11–12 outdoors) | Best for: Indoor plants, offices

15. King Protea (Protea cynaroides)

The king protea is South Africa’s national flower — a spectacular artichoke-sized bloom in pink, red, or cream ringed by stiff pointed bracts. This evergreen shrub needs full sun, acidic well-drained soil, and very little phosphorus fertilizer (proteas are adapted to poor soils). A true showpiece for frost-free gardens in zones 9–11.

Bloom: Spring to summer | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 9–11 | Best for: Exotic focal points, cut flowers

16. Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris)

Pasque flowers are among the first perennials to bloom, pushing silky purple, white, or red cups through the cold spring soil — often while snow still lingers. Feathery seed heads follow the flowers for extended interest. They need full sun and sharp drainage and resent disturbance, so choose their spot carefully and leave them alone.

Bloom: Early spring | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 4–8 | Best for: Early spring color, rock gardens

17. Persian Buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus)

Persian buttercups look like tissue-paper roses, with layer upon layer of petals in red, pink, orange, yellow, and white. Soak the claw-like corms for a few hours before planting in fall (warm zones) or early spring. They make spectacular cut flowers with a week-plus vase life. In cold zones, treat them as annuals or lift the corms for winter.

Bloom: Spring | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 8–10; annual elsewhere | Best for: Cut flowers, spring containers

18. Garden Pinks (Dianthus plumarius)

Garden pinks are old-fashioned charmers with fringed, clove-scented flowers in pink, white, and red over blue-green grassy foliage. They bloom in late spring and rebloom if sheared after the first flush. Give them full sun and alkaline, well-drained soil — they hate wet winters. The fragrance alone earns them a spot near paths and patios.

Bloom: Late spring to early summer | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 3–9 | Best for: Fragrance, edging, rock gardens

19. Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)

Madagascar periwinkle blooms nonstop from summer to frost with glossy green leaves and flat-faced flowers in pink, white, red, and purple — and it thrives in heat and humidity that flatten lesser annuals. It needs full sun and warm soil; plant it out only after nights stay above 60°F. Note: all parts are toxic if eaten.

Bloom: Summer to fall | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 9–11; annual elsewhere | Best for: Hot humid climates, bedding

20. Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Passionflower produces the most exotic-looking blooms hardy in temperate gardens — intricate purple-and-white fringed flowers up to 4 inches wide on a vigorous vine. This southeastern US native dies back in winter and returns reliably in zones 6–9. Give it a sturdy trellis, full sun, and room to roam; it spreads by suckers.

Bloom: Summer to fall | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 6–9 | Best for: Trellises, exotic flowers, native vines

21. Pear Blossom (Pyrus communis)

Pear blossoms turn orchards into clouds of white each spring — simple five-petaled flowers that are as beautiful as they are productive, since each one can become a pear. Trees need full sun, well-drained soil, and a compatible pollinator variety nearby for fruit. The bloom also feeds early pollinators when little else is flowering.

Bloom: Spring | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 4–8 | Best for: Orchards, spring landscape impact

22. Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa)

Prickly pear proves cacti can be flower powerhouses — large waxy yellow (sometimes orange-red) blooms open on flat paddle pads in early summer, followed by edible red fruits. This eastern US native is hardy to zone 4, shrugging off cold that kills desert cacti. Give it full sun and sharp drainage; handle pads with tongs, not fingers.

Bloom: Early summer | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 4–9 | Best for: Xeriscaping, native cactus gardens

23. Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata)

Prairie coneflower, or gray-headed coneflower, sends up 3- to 5-foot stems topped with drooping yellow petals around a distinctive gray-green cone. A tough central North American native, it thrives in full sun and poor soil, blooming all summer while feeding bees and butterflies. Excellent for prairie restorations and naturalized meadows.

Bloom: Summer | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 3–8 | Best for: Prairies, meadows, native plantings

24. Parrot’s Beak (Lotus berthelotii)

Parrot’s beak is a conversation piece — trailing stems carry clusters of vivid red-orange flowers shaped uncannily like a parrot’s beak, set against silvery needle-like foliage. Native to the Canary Islands, it needs full sun and perfect drainage. Grow it in hanging baskets or as a spiller in containers; in cold zones, treat it as an annual.

Bloom: Spring to summer | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 9–11; annual elsewhere | Best for: Hanging baskets, containers

25. Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)

Pearly everlasting bears clusters of small white “flowers” — actually papery bracts — that look freshly picked for months, fresh or dried. This easy native perennial blooms from summer to fall in full sun to part shade and spreads politely by rhizomes. Butterflies love it, and dried stems are everlasting-arrangement gold.

Bloom: Summer to fall | Sun: Full sun to part shade | Zone: 3–8 | Best for: Dried arrangements, native borders

26. Cape Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata)

Cape plumbago covers itself in clusters of sky-blue (sometimes white) phlox-like flowers from summer to fall, often while butterflies swarm it. This South African shrub grows fast in full sun and blooms on new wood, so prune hard in spring. In zones below 8, grow it in containers and overwinter indoors.

Bloom: Summer to fall | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 8–11 | Best for: Blue flowers, butterfly gardens

27. Pentas — Egyptian Starcluster (Pentas lanceolata)

Pentas are butterfly magnets — dense clusters of star-shaped red, pink, purple, or white flowers bloom nonstop in heat that stops other plants cold. A go-to for Southern gardens, they need full sun and consistent moisture. In zones 9–11 they return as perennials; elsewhere grow them as annuals or overwinter cuttings indoors.

Bloom: Summer to fall | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 9–11; annual elsewhere | Best for: Butterflies, Southern gardens

28. Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis)

Pot marigold isn’t a true marigold at all — it’s calendula, with cheerful orange and yellow daisy-like blooms that open from spring to fall. It prefers cool weather, often pausing in midsummer heat, and the petals are edible, brightening salads. Deadhead regularly and it will bloom until hard frost.

Bloom: Spring to fall | Sun: Full sun to part shade | Zone: Grown as annual | Best for: Edible flowers, cool-season color

29. Pink Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum)

Pink jasmine perfumes entire neighborhoods in late winter and spring, when clusters of pink buds open into intensely fragrant white stars. This vigorous evergreen vine needs a sturdy support and full sun to part shade. Prune hard right after flowering to control its enthusiastic growth. Bring containers indoors where winters freeze.

Bloom: Late winter to spring | Sun: Full sun to part shade | Zone: 8–11 | Best for: Fragrance, climbing vines

30. Polyantha Rose (Rosa, Polyantha Group)

Polyantha roses are the ancestors of modern floribundas — compact shrubs smothered in clusters of small pink, red, white, or orange blooms from summer to fall. They’re tougher and more disease-resistant than hybrid teas, needing only full sun, good air flow, and regular deadheading. Excellent for low hedges and mass plantings.

Bloom: Summer to fall | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 5–9 | Best for: Rose hedges, easy-care roses

31. Tree Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa)

Tree peonies are the aristocrats of spring — woody shrubs bearing enormous 8- to 10-inch blooms in pink, white, red, and purple, sometimes with a contrasting dark flare at the petal base. Unlike herbaceous peonies, they keep their woody framework year after year. Give them part afternoon shade in hot climates and never prune them like an ordinary shrub.

Bloom: Spring | Sun: Full sun to part shade | Zone: 4–8 | Best for: Specimen shrubs, luxury spring blooms

32. Persian Violet (Exacum affine)

Persian violet is a jewel of a houseplant, forming tidy mounds of glossy leaves studded with fragrant purple-blue flowers with golden centers. It blooms for months in bright indirect light with consistent moisture. Often sold as a gift plant, it can be kept for years with light pruning after flowering. A charming choice for windowsills.

Bloom: Summer to fall | Sun: Bright indirect light | Zone: 9–11; houseplant elsewhere | Best for: Windowsills, indoor gifts

33. Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans)

Pride of Madeira is pure drama — a rounded evergreen shrub erupting each spring with 2-foot cones of tiny blue-purple flowers that bees mob by the hundreds. Native to Madeira, it needs full sun, sharp drainage, and frost-free winters (zones 9–11). Give it space; mature plants reach 6 feet tall and wide.

Bloom: Spring to early summer | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 9–11 | Best for: Bee gardens, coastal California gardens

34. Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya)

Prairie blazing star does everything backwards — its purple-pink flower spikes bloom from the top down instead of bottom up. This central North American native thrives in full sun and even clay soil, feeding monarchs and bees in midsummer. Plant the corms 4 inches deep in spring; established clumps resent moving.

Bloom: Summer | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 3–8 | Best for: Monarchs, prairie gardens

35. Pussy Willow (Salix discolor)

Pussy willows announce spring before most plants wake up — soft silvery-gray catkins emerge on bare branches in late winter, providing crucial early pollen for bees. This North American native shrub loves moist soil and full sun to part shade. Cut branches in late winter for indoor forcing; the catkins last for weeks.

Bloom: Late winter to early spring | Sun: Full sun to part shade | Zone: 4–8 | Best for: Early pollinators, cut branches

36. Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum)

Prairie smoke is a native wildflower with nodding pink buds that open into unusual smoky-rose blooms, followed by feathery silver seed heads that look like wisps of smoke — the plant’s namesake. It thrives in full sun and lean, well-drained soil in zones 3–7. A subtle, fascinating choice for rock gardens and native borders.

Bloom: Spring | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 3–7 | Best for: Rock gardens, native wildflower beds

37. Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata)

Pickerelweed is a standout for water gardens, sending up spikes of blue-violet flowers above heart-shaped leaves from summer into fall. This eastern North American native grows in shallow water or boggy soil at pond edges, where it also filters water and shelters wildlife. Plant in submerged pots to keep its enthusiastic rhizomes in check.

Bloom: Summer to fall | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 3–10 | Best for: Ponds, rain gardens

38. Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)

Evening primrose performs a nightly magic show — large lemon-yellow flowers pop open at dusk, releasing a sweet scent that draws night-flying moths. This North American biennial self-sows freely, so one planting becomes a colony. Give it full sun and poor soil; rich soil produces leaves at the expense of flowers.

Bloom: Summer | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 4–9 | Best for: Evening gardens, naturalizing

39. Princess Flower (Tibouchina urvilleana)

Princess flower flaunts some of the most intense purple blooms in gardening — large royal-purple flowers with contrasting stamens smother this Brazilian shrub from summer to fall. It needs full sun to part shade, acidic soil, and frost-free winters. In cold climates, grow it in a large pot and overwinter indoors.

Bloom: Summer to fall | Sun: Full sun to part shade | Zone: 9–11 | Best for: Bold purple color, tropical gardens

40. Paper Daisy (Xerochrysum bracteatum)

Paper daisies, also sold as strawflowers, produce stiff, papery blooms in yellow, orange, pink, and white that look fresh for weeks — on the plant or in a vase. They need full sun and bloom from summer to fall. Cut them just before fully open and hang upside down for everlasting dried arrangements.

Bloom: Summer to fall | Sun: Full sun | Zone: 9–11; annual elsewhere | Best for: Dried flowers, everlasting bouquets

Growing Tips for P-Flowers

With 40 different P-flowers on this list, a few universal rules will set you up for success no matter which ones you choose.

Match the plant to your zone first. Check the hardiness zones in the tables above before you buy. Tropical P-flowers like plumeria, king protea, princess flower, and poinsettia simply cannot survive a freezing winter outdoors — grow them in pots you can move inside, or enjoy them as seasonal annuals.

Map your sun. Watch your garden for a day and note which spots get 6+ hours of direct sun (full-sun lovers like poppies, coneflowers, pentas, and moss rose go there) and which stay shady (primroses, peace lilies, and Persian violets will thank you). Most flowering plants bloom poorly in too much shade.

Drainage beats fertilizer. More P-flowers die from soggy roots than from hunger. Penstemon, pasque flower, pride of Madeira, and prickly pear demand sharp drainage — mix grit or perlite into heavy clay. When planting, set the crown at the same depth it grew in the pot; burying stems invites rot.

Deadhead for more blooms. Snipping spent flowers off petunias, pincushion flowers, pot marigolds, and purple coneflowers redirects energy into new buds instead of seeds, stretching the show by weeks. Leave seed heads on coneflowers and prairie coneflowers in fall if you want goldfinches and self-sown seedlings.

Feed lightly, mulch well. A 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch keeps roots cool, holds moisture, and suppresses weeds around peonies, phlox, and most perennials. Go easy on nitrogen-heavy fertilizer — it grows leaves at the expense of flowers. A balanced slow-release feed in spring is plenty for most P-flowers.

Which P-Flowers Will You Grow?

From the spring trumpets of tree peonies to the fall spikes of prairie blazing star, flowers that start with P cover every season, every sun level, and every USDA zone from 3 to 12. Start with easy winners matched to your conditions — perhaps purple coneflower and penstemon for a sunny border, primroses for shade, or a peace lily for the windowsill. Pick three or four favorites from this list, give them the right spot, and you will be amazed how quickly the letter P fills your garden with color. Bookmark this list, share it with a fellow gardener, and come back each season as your P-flower collection grows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What flowers start with P?

Dozens of garden favorites start with P, including peony, petunia, pansy, primrose, garden phlox, Oriental poppy, California poppy, plumeria, moss rose, poinsettia, purple coneflower, penstemon, pincushion flower, peace lily, and passionflower. This guide covers 40 of them with growing details for each.

What pink flowers start with P?

Lovely pink P-flowers include peony, petunia, garden phlox, pink jasmine, polyantha rose, garden pinks, Persian buttercup, pentas, prairie smoke, plumeria, and moss rose. For the softest pinks, look for blush peony varieties and pale pink phlox cultivars.

What purple flowers start with P?

Top purple choices are purple coneflower, petunia, prairie blazing star, princess flower, pincushion flower, penstemon, pride of Madeira, and Persian violet. Pasque flower opens the season in violet-purple, while princess flower delivers the deepest royal purple of the bunch.

What white flowers start with P?

White P-flowers include peace lily, pear blossom, pearly everlasting, plumeria (white varieties), petunia, pansy, garden phlox, pincushion flower, and white forms of peony, coneflower, and pentas. A white P-flower border glows beautifully in the evening garden.

Which perennial flowers start with P?

Reliable perennial P-flowers include peony, garden phlox, Oriental poppy, purple coneflower, penstemon, pincushion flower, garden pinks, pasque flower, prairie coneflower, prairie blazing star, prairie smoke, pearly everlasting, and pickerelweed. Most return bigger and better each year with minimal care.

What flowers that begin with P bloom in spring?

Spring bloomers include peony, primrose, Oriental poppy, California poppy, pasque flower, Persian buttercup, garden pinks, tree peony, pear blossom, pussy willow, prairie smoke, pink jasmine, and pride of Madeira. Plant a mix for continuous spring color.

Which P-flower names are best for beginners?

Petunia, pansy, moss rose, purple coneflower, pot marigold, and California poppy are nearly foolproof — they germinate or transplant easily, bloom for months, and forgive missed waterings. For perennials, try penstemon, garden pinks, or pearly everlasting for years of low-effort color.

What flowers starting with P grow well in shade?

Shade-tolerant P-flowers include primrose, peace lily, Persian violet, and tree peony (which appreciates afternoon shade in hot climates). Pansies and pot marigolds also perform well in part shade, especially where summers are hot.

Are there fragrant flowers that start with P?

Yes! Pink jasmine is intensely fragrant, especially in the evening. Plumeria’s sweet perfume is legendary, garden phlox and garden pinks (clove-scented) perfume summer borders, Persian violet carries a light fragrance, and peonies range from sweet to spicy depending on variety.

What P-flowers make good cut flowers?

Peony is the queen of P-flower bouquets, with Persian buttercup, pincushion flower, garden phlox, king protea, and purple coneflower close behind. Cut stems early in the morning, strip lower leaves, and condition them in cool water for the longest vase life.

Which flowers that start with the letter P attract pollinators?

Purple coneflower, penstemon, pentas, prairie blazing star, prairie coneflower, pride of Madeira, and Cape plumbago are pollinator magnets. Pussy willow feeds early bees, while evening primrose draws night-flying moths. Planting several together creates a buffet that supports pollinators from spring through fall.

References

• Missouri Botanical Garden — Plant Finder
• The Old Farmer’s Almanac — Gardening Guides
• Royal Horticultural Society — Plant Database
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — Native Plants
• USDA PLANTS Database