12 Flowers that Start with P (With Pictures)
Flowers – is there anything more appealing and magical? They bring instant peace and a sense of calm for many of us.
Every flower has deep symbolism, which is why we use them to send a certain message, show someone how much we appreciate them, and for celebration.
So, if you want to learn more about flowers that start with each letter of the alphabet or you want to surprise someone special whose name starts with P, this article is going to help you out.
12 Flowers that Start with P
Many flowers start with the letter P. They’re charming, beautiful, and every single one of them represents something special. Check out some of the most amazing flowers that start with P below.
1. Peony
Peony is one of the most beautiful and luxurious flowers you will see. The flower has a Greek origin; it’s named after Paeon (or Paean), a student of Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing in Greek mythology. Asclepius was jealous of Paeon, so Zeus protected his student by turning him into a flower.
This flower is native to China. What’s more, the peony is China’s national flower. Peonies were present in gardens across China back in 1000 BC.
By the eighth century, peonies had reached Japan, then France, England, the United States, and other parts of the world. Interestingly, the peony is also the official state flower of Indiana.
Ever since the Tang Dynasty, the peony has been known as the king of flowers. What makes this flower so unique is that it’s extraordinarily long-lived. Some peonies can survive 100 years or more.
People usually plant peonies in the fall to ensure the roots have enough time to spread before the spring. They come back every year, from early spring to early summer, and amaze us with their beauty.
Peonies come in a rainbow of colors including white, red, blush, pink, coral, rose, purple, and yellow. Basically, these flowers come in every color except blue and green.
Not only are peonies a great outdoor plant for our garden, but also in a flower arrangement. They can thrive in a vase and stay fresh for up to seven days.
While the peony is one of the most elaborate and beautiful flowers in the world, it also has many health benefits. Peonies are associated with an immune boost and positive mood. They may also alleviate pain and inflammation, relieve headaches, and aid problems with kidneys and bladders.
Peonies symbolize love and romance, which is why many brides carry them in their bouquets. In Asia, peonies represent respect and nobility, honor and pride. This flower is usually given on special occasions as an expression of joy, best wishes, and goodwill.
2. Painted Daisy
Tanacetum coccineum, also known as painted daisy or pyrethrum, is a perennial plant native to areas ranging from Eastern Europe to Central Asia and Iran. In the Mediterranean area, the painted daisy is an annual plant. This lovely flower is also found in Africa where it’s called koi-no-hana, meaning the “blood of the flower” due to its red sap.
The name painted daisy comes from its colorful petals. These flowers come in a variety of hues including yellow, red, violet, pink, and white.
Painted daisies are easy to grow and bloom from early to mid-summer. Not only do they add vibrant colors to your garden, but also lift your home décor when freshly cut in a vase. They have a nice scent and look amazing.
Painted daises also have culinary uses. Sometimes they’re added to teas or used as supplements to alleviate coughs, clear out lungs, or manage nasal congestion.
Like other daisies, a painted daisy symbolizes purity and innocence.
3. Pansy
Pansies are native to Iver, Buckinghamshire, England. You see, in the early 1800s, Lord Gambier and his gardener started crossing various species of the viola. The pansy is the result of that “project”.
What makes the pansy special is that it’s a flower for all seasons. Since it’s easy to grow and usually disease- and pest-free, pansies are a popular choice for people who like easy gardening. Plus, these flowers are adaptable and it’s easy to handle them even if you’re a beginner at gardening.
Pansy has a beautiful bloom and five overlapping petals. Plus, pansies come in beautiful colors including red, yellow, blue, mahogany, mauve, purple, orange, pink, black, and white. In most cases, these flowers have a combination of two or more colors. For example, yellow edges and darker centers.
Some pansies have a fragrant aroma.
Most frequently, pansies are used to symbolize loving feelings. That’s why pansies are a great present to anyone you appreciate or hold close to your heart. This flower is also used as a symbol of platonic love.
4. Paper Daisy
Paper daisies are among the most interesting and cutest flowers in the world. The history of these flowers begins in 1803 when it was first discovered and described. That’s when the newly discovered flower was named Xeranthemum bracteatum.
But this name did not stick, eventually it changed to Helichrysum bracteatum and then to Xerochrysum bracteatum. The name derives from the Greek words xeros or “dry” and chrysos or “gold”.
Native to Australia, paper daises have an interesting history. They’re also known as strawflowers or everlasting daisies because they can flower for more than two years.
Paper daises have beautiful petals, which are crisp, colorful, and very long-lasting. These lovely flowers come in a wide range of colors including purple, pink, yellow, orange, white, and red.
If you’ve never come across paper daisies before – yes, they do feel like paper. Other flowers don’t, which is why these cute blooms are so unique.
One of the interesting features about paper daisies is that in night and wet weather they tend to close and open up when they are exposed to the sun again. Before you say most flowers do it, check this out – they do this even after they’ve been picked.
Paper daises don’t have such a noticeable scent, which is why they’re particularly suitable for persons who like colorful flowers without strong fragrances.
Paper daisy is a beautiful addition to any arrangement you choose and they also thrive in the garden.
5. Paperbush Plant
Technically, the paperbush plant is a shrub, not a flower. But, it still belongs on this list thanks to its beautiful bloom.
Also known as Edgeworthia chrysantha, the paperbush plant is native to China and Japan. The name paperbush plant stems from the common use of this shrub; a material for high-quality paper.
Paperbush plants give a very nice fragrance. The most interesting thing about paperbush is that it blooms in the winter. Blooming begins in December and continues during the whole winter season.
The individual florets are very small, but a few dozen of them create a beautiful cluster that looks magical.
The fragrance of this flower is similar to the gardenia with a little spicy element, and you can sense it before you can see the actual plant. Flowers have lovely yellow hues.
The paperbush plant thrives in the partial shade and it likes moist soil.
Be sure to pick some flowers during the winter. Mesmerizing perfume will bring life to your home during cold winter days.
6. Passionflower
Passiflora incarnate, also known as passionflower, was discovered in 1569 by a Spanish doctor Monardes in Peru. The name of the flower refers to the passion of Jesus, which is why this family of plants is particularly relevant around Easter.
In fact, Spanish Christian missionaries adopted the specific structure of the flower as a symbol of the last days of Jesus and even his crucifixion.
Basically, five petals and five sepals represent 10 apostles, excluding Judas the betrayer and St. Peter the denier. Corona or radial filaments of the flower represent the crown of thorns. At the same time, the tendrils represent whips with which Jesus Christ was flagellated.
The three stigmas represent three nails, and the five anthers stand for five wounds inflicted on Jesus.
The blossom of the passionflower varies from a long cylindrical shape to a shallow saucer shape and even trumpet-shaped tubes. The upper border has five petals, five sepals, and a corona which comprises membranous and threadlike growths from the tube. The corona is, actually, the most beautiful part of the flower.
You can find different colors of this elaborate flower. Some of them include purple, blue, red, pink, white, orange, and yellow.
In South American cultures, passion flowers have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. It has mild sedative effects, which is why it is believed to be helpful for the management of insomnia. Additionally, passionflowers could be beneficial for anxiety, muscle cramps, fibromyalgia, pain, diarrhea, and other problems.
7. Pearly Everlasting
Pearly everlasting also called Anaphalis margaritacea. Western pearly everlasting is native to North America and Asia. Basically, this is a perennial wildflower whose stems grow to around three feet tall. Pearly everlasting has globular and long-enduring white flowers with dry bracts arranged around a yellow center. The leaves of this wildflower are light to dark green and very shiny.
Like many other plants, this one also thrives in sunlight and blooms from June to September, sometimes longer. You can find this flower in open and wooded areas.
Pearly everlasting has some health benefits too. For instance, it exhibits anti-inflammatory effects and can be used as an astringent for bruises. Pearly everlasting is also used for making tea to alleviate gastric disturbances.
Interestingly, Native Americans used pearly everlasting as a substitute for tobacco. They also used an infusion of the plant to treat headaches through steaming and inhaling.
Since flowers of pearly everlasting last a long time, they symbolize immortality. For that reason, it was used to decorate graves of loved ones who passed away.
8. Pelargonium
Pelargonium graveolens is native to southern Africa and Australia. For that reason, this beautiful plant likes warm weather and tropical regions. It can tolerate minor colds only. Pelargoniums have rounded leaves and clusters of lovely flowers on long stalks.
Petals come in various colors ranging from pink and white to scarlet, orange, and dark red.
This herb is also used as traditional medicine in South Africa. It is the root of the plant which holds medicinal potential. It is typically distilled into an extract and used as a remedy to reduce the symptoms and duration of coughs and colds. Pelargonium can also aid stress management.
Perfect for gardens and balconies, the pelargonium symbolizes good health, happiness, friendship, and good wishes. All in all, pelargoniums are associated with positive meanings. But Victorian symbolism is different; the flower represented foolishness and stupidity.
9. Peruvian Lily
Lily of the Incas, or Peruvian lily, is a stunning flower with vibrant colors ranging from beautiful shades of orange to pink, yellow, and white. As you can assume by its name, Peruvian lily is native to South America, particularly the regions of Peru, Brazil, and Chile. However, this flower has been naturalized in the United States, Australia, Mexico, Madeira, New Zealand, and the Canary Islands.
The flower was discovered by botanist Baron von Alstromer in the 18th century. He introduced the lily to Europe.
Also known as Alstromeria, the Peruvian lily has unique leaves, which twist upside down. This magnificent flower symbolizes friendship. What’s more, the leaves are believed to represent the ups and downs all friendships face.
Peruvian lily is also a symbol of devotion and it shows a loved one you’ll always be there for them. This devotion doesn’t have to be romantic only, it also translates to platonic love and can be given to everyone you care for.
Since Peruvian lily represents the achievement of aspirations, it’s a wonderful good luck gift. The reality is that the symbolism behind Peruvian lily may vary from one culture to another. What never changes, though, is its breathtaking beauty.
The flower was and still is, popular for its beauty and fragrance. Not only does it look wonderful in the garden, but also complements any home décor. It’s useful to know the flower can live 7 to 14 days in a vase.
Peruvian lillies work well in flower arrangements for weddings, parties, special occasions, and other events.
10. Persian Buttercup
Persian buttercup, or Ranunculus asiaticus, is a magnificent flower native to the eastern Mediterranean area in southwestern Asia, northeastern Africa, and southeastern Europe. As one of the most popular buttercups, the Persian buttercup is a perennial tuber with stacks of paper-thin petals.
Petals usually have a circular shape that range in color from red and bright pink to purple, pale yellow, cream, and orange. Elaborate flowers, vibrant and elegant colors, and delicate petals make Persian buttercups a favorite at florist shops and in wedding bouquets.
Probably the best thing about Persian buttercups is that they’re long-lasting. Many cultures used the flower as a medicine for rheumatism, pain relief, fever, and to improve blood circulation.
Not only do these flowers look charming, but they also symbolize charm. That’s why they prove to be an ideal gift for someone you care for.
11. Poppy
Poppy is an ancient flowering plant native to Iran, China, the Netherlands, and California. There are different types of poppy flowers with Oriental poppy being the most popular. The flower has five to six petals.
When poppies come to mind, we immediately think of red petals. But, they can also appear in yellow and white.
Some types of poppy are used for opium. Not all poppies have this trait, though. They do have some health benefits and can help with the treatment of insomnia, agitation, aches and pains, and diseases of the liver and bladder.
The symbolism of poppy flowers depends on the color. Red poppies represent remembrance, death, and colonialism. Yellow poppies depict renewal, and optimism. White poppies are a symbol of peace.
12. Petunia
Petunia is a genus of 20 species of flowering plants native to South America. These decorative garden plants produce flowers with vibrant colors such as yellow, white, purple, pink, blue, and red. Some petunias are multicolored or striped.
The petals are thin and delicate, but the symbolism behind the petunia is anything but delicate. You see, petunias often represent resentment and anger. So, if you’re looking for a nice floral present for someone you like, you shouldn’t give them petunias. At least, you should skip this flower if that person happens to have great knowledge about flower symbolism.
Of course, petunias are a lovely gift for people who like petunias and their delicate petals. After all, petunias also symbolize comfort in some cultures.
Flowers that start with P are numerous and this post covered 12 amazing examples. If you’re looking for beautiful flowers for your home, garden, or as a gift, consider some beautiful blooms from this list.
