Pachysandra procumbens ALLEGHENY SPURGE Form handsome clumps with clearly veined, brownish mottled leaves turning bronze in autumn. An underused plant, great where a small planting is needed. Pachysandra t. 'Green Sheen' JAPANESE SPURGE this useful and rapid growing ground cover has very glossy green leaves, a refreshing variation of the common but effective Pachysandra terminalis.

Paeonia [Lactiflora Group] PEONY Appreciate a rich, well drained moist and fertile soil with bonemeal and humus added. In addition to their large and beautiful flowers, they have superb foliage, often with reddish young growth in spring and luxurious green all season. These are among the longest-lived plants. P. suffruticosa TREE PEONY, has a shrubby habit and woody growth 4 to 5+ ft. tall with gigantic flowers 7 to 10 in. across. It is important to locate this plant away from trees and where they are sheltered from north and east winds. They are best when planted in a friable, moist, fertile "vegetable garden" soil with good drainage, similar to what is needed for herbaceous peonies. Too much water can lead to fungus problems.

Papaver orientale ORIENTAL POPPY Hardy, long-lived plants, thriving in deep, well drained average soil. They require average moisture and do not tolerate wet soil conditions in winter. Enormous flowers are brilliantly colored and visually dominant around green, long, hairy and sharply toothed leaves. Plants go dormant during the summer, yet well known as worthy for their part in the drama of the season's succession of growth and bloom. Worth some plans for the dormant gap.

Penstemon digitalis 'Husker's Red' BEARDTONGUE Rounded to lance shaped leaves which are elongated, red and slightly greenish. Flowers are carried atop long dark stems and seem to hang in midair. Great clump former for your sun border. Likes drying out before watering again. Selected as the 1996 Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year.

Perovskia atriplicifolia RUSSIAN SAGE Aromatic subshrub with a long season of beauty for well drained, ordinary soil of dry conditions. Cut back to the ground in spring to promote good growth and flowers. Requires full sun. The masses of blue flowers against the gray foliage are impressive. Leaves are lance shaped and coarsely toothed. P. 'Longin' has more compact foliage and less serrated leaves than the species. The leaves are larger than those of P. 'Filigran', which has bushier foliage with a very fine textured appearance.

Persicaria (Polygonum) KNOTWEED While this genus contains some dangerously invasive species, some of the more garden worthy kinds are grown extensively in Europe. Persicaria a. 'Speciosa' will form large dense colonies in time, growing best in good light with consistent moisture. Persicaria polymorphathis bold clump former is very tolerant of heat, humidity and drought. A fine specimen plant similar to Aruncus dioicus in garden effect. Wolfgang Oehme celebrates this useful and adaptable plant in mass plantings. Does not run. This Knotweed is not a weed. Persicaria 'Red Dragon' offers vibrant tricolor foliage with burgundy, mint green and silver chevron patterns. Emerges late but soon grows to form lush foliage clumps. Then as the season progresses, the arching stems give the plant a loose vase shaped character. More so in shadier conditions the long branches grow out horizontaly and weave at mid height among neighboring plants or garden ornaments. Tiny white flowers bloom mid to late season.

Phlox carolina var. angusta ‘Gypsy Love’  CAROLINA PHLOX  The species can be found growing in wooded areas and on moist slopes in the southeast United States and west to Texas.  P. ‘Gypsy Love’ grows to around 18 inches.  It is a very slow spreader but in time will form a colony that produces masses of pink blooms in late spring.

Phlox divaricata WILD BLUE PHLOX Semi-evergreen woodlander with fragrant flowers. Forms loose sprawling and slowly spreading mats. Cut back after flowering to encourage additional growth. Mulch to protect the shallow root system from summer heat and winter frost heaving. Fine edging plant for moist well drained and partially shaded areas.

Phlox glaberrima SMOOTH PHLOX An attractive E. USA native forming upright bushy mounds of smooth green glossy leaves. In late spring to early summer plants are topped with clusters of fragrant flowers. Thrives in heat and humidity. For average soils and acid to neutral PH. Cut back after blooming to encourage fresh new foliage.

Phlox [Paniculata Group] BORDER PHLOX, SUMMER PHLOX Plant in deep, rich, porous, moist and fertile soil, well enriched with organic matter. Roots need abundant water especially prior to flowering and especially in drought. Remove the main flower cluster when it fades to encourage flowering of side shoots. Leaves are green and willowy, handsome and sturdy. Air circulation is important. Cut to 4 to 6 strong stems in spring. While fragrant Phlox 'David', 'Shortwood' and 'Franz Schubert' seem to exhibit only a tolerable level of mildew problems, Phlox 'Robert Poore' a Niche Gardens introduction, appears to be the most mildew resistant Phlox paniculata yet.

Phlox stolonifera CREEPING PHLOX A colorful addition to shady areas. Low evergreen mats with smooth 3/4 in. to 1 1/2 in.ovate leaves. Erect stems arise above foliage and loosely bloom, making a dense and attractive cover.

Phlox subulata MOUNTAIN PINKS, MOSS PINK Well known by the general public and can be seen all over in American gardens. Easily grown in well drained moderately fertile soil with average moisture and full sun. Narrow leaves 1/2 in. long grow close together with a stiffness like pine needles. Flowers open and profusely cover the entire carpeting foliage in blue, white, purple or most commonly pink with a darker eye, with varied striped forms in each color.

Physocarpus ‘Summer Wine’ NINEBARK A dark foliaged, handsome compact form of the native P. opulifolius. Leaves are deeply incised creating an overall soft texture.  Pink buds give way to blush-white flowers, which contrast prominently with the dark foliage.  Bark exfoliates with age revealing a rich brown inner bark.  Plant in full sun for best floral display and to retain the rich crimson foliage.

Physostegia virginiana 'Vivid' FALSE DRAGONHEAD, OBEDIENT PLANT A very prolific and undemanding plant for any average garden soil with average moisture. Every couple of years, dig up and replant a healthy chunk to restrain growth, particularly when sited in moist, light soils. Leaves are green, sharp toothed and lance shaped. This cultivar is the most compact and stiffly upright. A long blooming attention getter. Physostegia v. 'Ms. Manners' is a recent introduction and offers a more restrained clump forming habit and white flowers over dark green glossy foliage.

Platycodon grandiflorus BALLOON FLOWER Balloon buds open to wide cup flowers over handsome blue green leaves closely arranged up the stems. Requires fertile soil. This hardy and long-lived plant is slow to emerge in the spring. The tap roots look like white carrots and care should be taken to keep them intact when transplanting or dividing a clump which is rarely necessary. Long bloomer and excellent cut flower if seared. Stirs the child in everyone when flower buds "balloon -up", and then open from the top rather than the side or base.

Pleioblastus variegatus Intense white and green variegation give this running bamboo a great look. Foliage is persistent here in zone 6 usually at least into or through December. It is an extremely vigorous spreader and should be strongly confined where ever it is planted. Keep this plant away from a mixed planting where it can take over in time and be very difficult to eradicate. Pleioblastus pygmaeus This running bamboo has green willow-shaped leaves. It is considered invasive. Can be used in a container, or a difficult site where it will seem to thrive on neglect. Just keep it confined.

Podophyllum peltatum MAY APPLE This handsome ground cover produces two different types of leaves to 12 in. wide, both deeply lobed and toothed. In the spring the white cup shaped flower is almost hidden by the foliage in the fork between the two branches. It is followed by an edible yellow 2 in. fruit. Likes humus rich moist soil of open woodlands. Shallow rhizomes spread freely.

Polemonium caeruleum JACOB'S LADDER Plants for well drained, humus rich, moist soil. Leaflets are arranged like a ladder along the upright stems. Suitable for the border, foliage is fragile but abundant. Columns of blue flowers appear in spring. Grown since Roman times and was made to stand for the ladder in Jacob's dream, which we all climbed.

Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum' SOLOMON'S SEAL For cool positions in moist, humus rich soil. Woodland plant with arching stems of thick oval shaped, green leaves beautifully variegated with a cream edge. Excellent companion for ferns and hostas. The flowers are fragrant, 1 in. long, hanging in twos or alone from leaf axils. Always in demand Solomon's Seal is a bit slow to become established but in a little time will form solid colonizing groups and become quite vigorous.

Polygonum aubertii SILVER LACE VINE Vigorously growing, twining, woody climber, with narrow and pointed heart shaped leaves. Near autumn, clouds of tiny white flowers open, lasting into autumn and sending a sweet fragrance far across the area. Growing up to 20 ft. in a season, it is well suited for covering unsightly structures or trees, but not for house walls. Adapts to a variety of soils, fertility, and moisture conditions, and has no serious disease or insect problems.

Primula PRIMROSE A huge genus containing over four hundred species, many of which are more suitably grown in England and the Pacific Northwest. Primula japonica will grow successfully in semi-shaded sites and mulched humus rich soils to maintain even moisture. Will self seed freely in moist to wet sites, producing colonies of plants with variable flower colors.

Pulmonaria longifolia LUNGWORT Grows well in any soil that remains cool and moist during summer, doing best in moist, rich soil. Valued both for attractive foliage and for flowers. Fine for edging and ground cover especially under deciduous trees. Leaves are dark green, long, and blotched with white. Leaf shapes range from narrow to broadly lance shaped.

Pulsatilla vulgaris PASQUE FLOWER Needs well drained sites and prefers a neutral to alkaline soil. The silky hairy leaves emerging in the spring are extremely ornamental and create a wonderful silvery foil for the luxuriant purple flowers. Feathery seed heads after flowering.

Pycanthemum muticum MOUNTAIN MINT This aromatic minty herb is native to eastern U.S. Plants have attractive silver grey foliage and showy silvery bracts with pinkish flowers. Prefers fertile well-drained soils and even moisture. Loved by bees and butterflies. Self sows and has a rhizomatous root. Usefull plant for woods edge and naturalized areas.