Gardening A to Z: P

Useful information for you, brought to you by Garden NZ

Introduction
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Palm
Members of the family Palmae or Arecaceae, that is, trees characterised by a normally unbranched trunk topped by a bunch of large leaves and a distinct preference for warm climates.

Panicle
A type of inflorescence, strictly a compound raceme, as typified by that of the Lilac.

Parasite
A plant which grows upon another, stealing moisture and nourishment from its host. Mistletoe is an example; more common and less welcome are the Parasitic Fungi that cause plant diseases.

Parsley
Parsley cannot be surpassed for its versatility in the kitchen. It underlines the flavour of foods without being dominant, and compliments almost every dish. Fresh green appearance and fragrant aroma delight the eye and stimulate the appetite.

Pear Slug
Smaller cousin of the common garden slug that lives and feeds up in Pear and Cherry trees, including ornamental flowering cherries. Easily controlled by spraying.

Peas
See Vegetables.

Peat
The preserved and compressed remains of dead bog plants, usually either Sphagnum Moss or Sedges. The natural acidity of some bogs prevents the dead plant material from decaying, so that it accumulates and over time forms thick deposits. Peat is extracted from these deposits and used for many purposes, including horticultural uses. It is termed moss peat (or peat moss) when derived mainly from Sphagnum, or Sedge peat when formed from sedges.

Penny Violas
Penny Violas are the result of an extensive breeding programme that was set up in America.

Peppers
Peppers come in sweet or hot varieties. The large sweet peppers are used raw, cooked, or pickled. The hot peppers are used for relishes.

Perennial
A plant that lives for three years or more. In botany, the term includes trees and shrubs, while in horticulture it is normally limited to plants that do not produce permanently woody stems, such as Irises, Peonies or Ginger Lilies.

Perennials Ashton Glen
Ashton Glen is a Clinton, South Otago nursery specialising in perennials, alpines, bog and shade plants, grasses, flowering shrubs, seeds and a few New Zealand natives all erring to the cottage garden. Hostas, Hellebores and plants of woodland conditions are of special interest.

Pergola
A structure built in the garden, usually with walls or posts and a roof of open beams, on which climbing plants can be grown. A pergola may be circular or square, or elongated and open at the ends, forming a passageway.

Pest
Any of various kinds of fauna that infest garden plants, or disturb a garden. Insect pests are of most concern in gardens, causing much damage to prized plants, also slugs and snails. Diseases differ from pests in being caused by micro-organisms such as fungi and bacteria, or minute internal fauna such as eelworms.

Pesto Recipe
Basil is one of the gems from the summer garden. When there is plenty around, it's a good idea to make the most of it. Pesto is tasty and quick and easy to prepare. Use it with pasta, sandwiches, salads and on platters. The key to this recipe is toasting the Pine nuts – it makes all the difference.

Petal
The colourful part of most flowers. Petals are in fact modified leaves, and there are some flowers that have green petals, for example the green zinnia ‘Envy’.

Petunia
Like most common garden plants, the Petunia started life in the wild. In its native South America, 30 or so species grow on steppes, in disturbed, stony ground. Today you can add splashes of colour in your own garden with these delightful plants.

PH
The scale on which the acidity or alkalinity of soil is measured. It ranges from 1, an acid of fear-some strength, to 14, an alkali of equal ferocity, with 7 being the neutral point. Most garden soils fall somewhere between about pH 5.5 to about 8.6.

Phosphorus
Plays an important role in photosynthesis, respiration and storing carbohydrates (energy). Also involved in cell division, stimulates root development. Important for early plant establishment, the formation and quality of seeds, flowering and fruit ripening.

Pinch Out
The operation of removing the tip of a growing shoot, usually with the fingers, to encourage lateral shoots to grow and make the plant bushier.

Pinnate
A leaf divided into leaflets arranged on either side of the leaf stalk, as in a rose leaf or those of many palms and ferns.

Planters – Hypertufa
Stephen and Kelly Archer were inspired by a TV garden show, demonstrating a simple method of making Hypertufa planters, from a very basic recipe. The information was stored and mulled over for a couple of years before we decided that we needed some large pots to beautify the front of our house.

Poems
Poems that will inspire you and make you smile.

Pollen
The tiny grains of plant substance containing DNA which unite with the embryo seeds contained in the ovary to create the fruit and hence a new generation of flowering plants – a process termed pollination. The transfer is usually carried out by insects, but can also be carried out by nectar-eating birds and sometimes by the wind.

Pollination
The act of transference of pollen between flowers.

Pot
A container for growing plants, roughly cylindrical in shape with a drainage hole or holes in the bottom. Traditionally made from terracotta, pots are now mostly plastic. Pots larger than about 15 in (50 cm) diameter are generally referred to as tubs.

Pots 'N' Things
These New Zealand-made glazed terracotta pots come in two halves, which fit around a sun umbrella shaft. Use them as planters, fruit bowls or for multipurpose decoration.

Pottery World
Offers a myriad of beautiful pots from around the world. A beautiful pot adds unique personalised touch to your living and garden areas, gives life and transform the ordinary to extra-ordinary.

Potassium
Potassium maintains water regulation in cells, cell strength, transpiration, photosynthesis, carbohydrate (energy)formation and storage, and fruit quality.

Potato
Potatoes can be grown in all parts of New Zealand and they are available on the market all year round.

Potpourri
A mix of sweet-smelling dried herbs and petals, usually placed in a bowl or a small muslin bag to perfume a room. Rose petals and Lavender flowers are common ingredients.

Potted Colour
When you buy 'Potted colour' it means a single plant, in a large pot in full flower for instant colour and effect.

Potting Mix
The right potting mix can make all the difference. For the healthiest, happiest plants, select your potting mix with care.

Powdery Mildew
Powdery Mildew creates a greyish-white powdery coating on leaves, stems and flower buds. Watch out for it during hot, dry conditions.

Propagate
To intentionally multiply a particular plant, whether by sowing seed, taking cuttings, grafting, budding, division, or using tissue culture techniques in a laboratory.

Prostrate
A plant of low-growing, ground-hugging habit, such as the prostrate junipers.

Pruning
The art of cutting off parts of a plant to encourage more of the sort of growth the gardener desires, or to maintain a compact habit of growth.