If you’re looking to create a lush and vibrant garden quickly, there are several fast-growing plants you can pick to help fill out your space. No matter how much room you have to work with, selecting plants that develop quickly will make it easy to grow a beautiful, instant garden. Learn all about seven of the fastest-growing plants that will transform your space into a thriving green oasis in no time!
Flowers
Adding flowers to your garden is a great way to bring in some color and attract plenty of pollinators all summer. Discover some of the fast-growing flowers!
1. Sunflowers
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Sunflowers are known for their bright yellow petals and large black seeds, loved by birds and people alike. These flowers will make for easy additions to your garden because they tolerate summer heat well and are strongly resistant to pests. Sunflowers will mature in approximately 80 to 95 days after planting.
Pro Tip: Depending on the variety you pick, sunflowers will grow anywhere between 1 foot and 16 feet tall! If you don’t have much space, go with 'Sunrich Gold' or 'Teddy Bear.' If you’re looking for a larger variety to fill up your space, go with 'Mammoth' or 'Autumn Beauty.'
2. Marigolds
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Marigolds have long blooming periods, so if you add these to your garden, you’re bound to get a burst of color through the whole summer and fall. They grow large heavy-petaled flower heads that come in a variety of colors, including yellow and orange. These plants will produce blooms in as early as eight weeks!
3. Zinnias
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Zinnias are annual flowers, meaning they will only bloom for one season. That being said, the blooms develop quickly, bringing practically instant color to your garden. Zinnias love lots of sunshine and can reach full size in about 60 days from seed or less if you’re starting with a plantling a few weeks old. For continuous flowering through the spring, summer, and fall, you can sow more seeds every week.
Foliage Plants
Foliage plants are a great way to bring greenery to your outdoor space. Plus, there are plenty of fast-growing varieties that will fill up any empty spots in your garden quickly.
4. Lamb’s Ear
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Lamb’s ears are most commonly recognized by their green-gray, soft, and fuzzy leaves, resembling the animal ears they are named after. This ground cover appreciates lots of sun and well-draining, arid soils, making them ideal for rock gardens.
Lamb’s ear spreads rapidly by rooting through its stems, which is why it grows so quickly and continuously each year. It proliferates so much that you’ll need to divide it every two to four years!
5. 'Sum and Substance' Hosta
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Hostas make vibrant garden additions because of their bright lime green, white, and green-blue leaves. They are fairly easy to care for and often bloom blue, lavender, pink, or white flowers through summer and fall.
One of the fastest-growing hostas to select for your garden is the 'Sum and Substance' variety. These hostas develop their leaves within six to eight weeks and have a blooming period in July. During this blooming period, a second layer of leaves will often grow.
Pro Tip: These perennials are fast and large-growers and will continue to develop in size over seven years! Make sure to plan ahead when picking a spot to grow them.
Vines
Selecting vines for your garden will amplify the color and texture of your outdoor space. Explore three fast-growing climbing and flowering vines that will transform your garden!
6. Annual Sweet Peas
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Annual sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are speedy vines that love to climb along fences and garden trellises. These vines have early blooming periods that can start as early as the end of winter. They develop bright pink, white, and purple flowers in spring and summer with a delicate and sweet scent.
Sweet peas love lots of full sun and moist soil, so it’s a good idea to grow shrubs nearby that will cover and protect their roots from the harsh sun. Some cultivars, including 'April in Paris' and 'American,' will grow to 8 feet long.
7. Wisteria
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Wisteria is an aggressive and fast-growing vine that reaches up to 30 feet long! It develops gorgeous blue and purple flowers that hang from its stems and deliver a strong fragrance. These vines need full sun to flower and appreciate moist soil that drains well.
Though this plant grows quickly and up to 10 feet yearly, it can take a few additional years to fully mature and bloom. Because of this, it’s best to avoid planting this vine from seed. Use a cutting from a developed plant or buy a young wisteria vine instead.
Pro Tip: When selecting wisteria for your garden, go with a North American variety like 'American' or 'Kentucky,' which are considered non-invasive.
Welcome to Your Insta-Garden
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to create a beautiful garden, choosing fast-growing plants is an excellent choice. From sunflowers to sweet peas, these plants can give your outdoor space an instant burst of color and texture.
What other fast-growing plants do you have growing in your garden? Add them in the comments below! And if you’re looking for a quick and easy home veggie harvest, read this next!