If you want beautiful bloom but don't have much time, fear not! There are several varieties of fast growing flowers out there.
10 Fast-Growing Flowers to Transform Your Garden
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Bachelor’s Buttons
These sweet, delicate flowers can germinate in just seven to 15 days. Their pom-pom blooms come in blue, pink and white shades, all attracting pollinators to your garden. In 60 to 90 days, you will have an array of whimsical flowers — just in time for that first frost!
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Cosmos
With paper-thin petals and bright yellow centers, cosmos are a popular flower for daisy-loving gardeners. But their five-to-ten-day germination window and minimal maintenance requirements also make them a perfect match for beginner gardeners. Try adding them to your garden now, and in seven weeks you’ll be rewarded with white, pink and red blooms.
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Four O’Clocks
These cupped, petunia-like flowers were given this name because their petals open up towards the end of the day. Their seeds germinate in one to three weeks, with full flowers appearing in 12 weeks. Known for their plentiful nectar, this striated, vibrant bloom will attract moths and hummingbirds.
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Marigolds
Marigolds are fall favorite flowers for a reason. Hearty and versatile, they can repel pests and attract pollinators. They germinate in four days and bloom in six weeks. Better yet, they can withstand high heat and full sun. So if you live in a growing zone with warmer fall weather, this is the flower for you.
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Morning Glories
Because morning glories are native to tropical regions, they love a hot, humid climate. Gardeners preparing for the dog days of summer and a preternaturally hot fall should sow seeds now. The speedy vines will trail through the garden or crawl up a trellis in 10 to 16 weeks. However, this plant is not a good choice for those with outdoor pets, because the seeds are toxic and spread easily.
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Nasturtiums
This classic, delicate flower wilts in peak summer heat, so late summer/early fall is the perfect time to sow their seeds! They germinate in just one week, then bloom only eight to 12 weeks later. For the best blossoms, keep them shaded in the afternoon and do not fertilize. Overly nutrient-dense soil can yield fewer flowers.
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Poppies
Who doesn’t love a simple, playful poppy? Though delicate in appearance, poppies are surprisingly hardy and can withstand drought conditions. Additionally, they’re self-seeding, so they can easily proliferate year after year. With a germination period of one to two weeks, they’ll fully mature in 60 to 90 days.
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Snapdragons
Named for their dragonhead-shaped blooms, these add distinctive color and texture to any garden. Their seeds germinate in seven to ten days, and their tall spires will shoot up within eight weeks. Once the blossoms are fully mature, they’ll attract many hummingbirds to your garden.
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Sunflowers
The seeds of this cheery autumn plant can germinate in six to 12 days. However, because there are dozens of sunflower varieties, make sure the one you select has a short maturation time (50 to 60 days).
Dwarf varieties, like the Firecracker Sunflower, will bloom the fastest. But if you’re set on florist sunflowers, try the Ruby Eclipse, which is one of the fastest flowering varieties. Here are a few tips for growing sunflowers from seeds.
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Zinnias
Zinnias’ preference for hot weather makes them a perfect match for last-minute gardeners. Their seeds can germinate in as little as five days, and will start blooming in eight weeks. Make sure to stay on top of your pruning and deadheading to get the most blooms possible from this happy plant!
FAQs
Which fast-growing flowers are beginner-friendly?
“Some of the best flower varieties with beginner-friendly traits include zinnia, sunflower, cosmos, sweet alyssum and poppies,” says Loughrey, “Flowering shrubs with these traits include lilac, spirea, hydrangea and butterfly bush.”
How can I tell which fast-growing flowers are native to my area?
“Check online sources, your local nursery, garden center or extension service to see what fast-growing flowers are native to your particular area,” says Loughrey. It’s also a good idea to reference the USDA hardiness zones for the fast-growing flowers you want to plant, to find out if they’ll thrive in your area.
About the Expert
- Janet Loughrey is a garden photographer and writer for Garden Design and has 25 years of experience. Her work has been widely published in the U.S., Canada and Europe in publications including Garden Design, Better Homes and Gardens, Sunset, Horticulture, HGTV, Ortho Books, Rodale Press and Woman’s Day.
