Johann Hunt
A garden bursting with color doesn’t have to take forever to bloom. Some flowers shoot up fast, filling spaces with vibrant petals and lush greenery in no time. With the correct picks, any yard can turn into a lively, flower-filled retreat quicker than expected. These 20 speedy bloomers prove patience isn’t always required.
Zinnia
Color floods a garden fast with Zinnia, which matures from seed to flower in about 60 days. Long stems and brilliant petals make it a florist’s favorite. Butterflies flocking to these blossoms add movement and life to any flower bed. This sun-loving flower thrives in heat by soaking the rays like a pro.
Marigold
Honey-hued clusters of marigolds appear in just eight weeks and can reach up to three feet tall. This hardy flower grows well under full sun and dry conditions. Compact varieties work well for borders, while taller types create striking backdrops. Their vivid petals attract pollinators, ensuring a lively garden throughout the season.
Nasturtium
Salads, pest control, and quick-growing flowers—nasturtiums check all three boxes. These trailing or bushy plants reach maturity in about five weeks. Round leaves and fiery-hued blossoms bring an unmistakable charm to garden beds. With a peppery flavor, both the leaves and petals add a spicy twist to dishes.
Sunflower
Sunflowers are a garden giant in the making. They can grow over ten feet tall in just two months. Their massive amber heads brighten the gardens while doubling as snack providers—birds, squirrels, and seed lovers alike appreciate the generosity. Some varieties even follow the sun by shifting their faces throughout the day.
Calendula
Sunshine in petal form, calendula is more than a fast grower—it’s a natural healer. In just over a month, radiant petals unfold, valued for their edible nature and skincare benefits. Thriving in garden beds and pots, it’s a resilient beauty that produces flowers through the seasons.
Morning Glory
Vines stretch skyward as Morning Glory climbs trellises and fences, covering them in heart-shaped leaves and trumpet-like blossoms. Their flowers appear in just over two months, greeting the day with their signature unfurling at sunrise. By afternoon, petals fold as if resting for the next big reveal.
Petunia
The quickest way to transform a garden into a floral wonderland is with Petunia. Some varieties start flowering within weeks, sending out waves of pink, purple, white, and even speckled blossoms. These plants spill gracefully from hanging baskets and window boxes, adding effortless beauty seasonally.
Bachelor’s Button
Vintage charm meets modern convenience with a Bachelor’s Button. After about 60 days, vibrant blue petals emerge, once favored for adorning lapels as a symbol of love. Drought-resistant and easygoing, it fits perfectly into wildflower meadows and cottage-style gardens, adding a nostalgic pop of color.
Phlox
Dense bunches of pink, red, purple, and white flowers emerge just weeks after planting Phlox, turning bare patches into bursts of color. Phlox stays compact, making it perfect for edging walkways or filling in rock gardens. A light aroma lingers, which enhances garden spaces with a delicate scent.
Catmint
Lavender-blue blossoms sprawl across the garden, their soft fragrance irresistible to bees and butterflies. Catmint spreads rapidly and sends out waves of flowers from spring to fall. Low-maintenance and drought-resistant, it flourishes in full sun, adding a relaxed, cottage-garden feel to any space.
Cosmos
Tall, airy, and effortlessly elegant, Cosmos brings a wildflower touch to any space. Within 70 days, delicate, daisy-like flowers sway in the wind. Feathery foliage softens garden edges, while constant flowering ensures fresh bouquets all season. This heat-tolerant variety keeps beds colorful with almost no effort.
Borage
A flower that feeds both the garden and the gardener, borage produces edible, star-shaped blue petals in just eight weeks. Bees adore it, ensuring better pollination for nearby vegetables. Its mild cucumber flavor makes it a fun addition to salads, summer drinks, and even ice cubes.
Coreopsis
Like golden confetti scattered across the garden, Coreopsis thrives in its first season and keeps going strong. These sun-loving perennials easily withstand drought and poor soil, requiring little effort to stay vibrant. Bright, long-lasting blossoms make it a favorite for wildflower mixes and pollinator gardens.
Black-Eyed Susan
Golden petals surround a dark chocolate center, standing tall on sturdy stems. When planted early, Black-eyed Susan establishes itself quickly and flowers in its first season. Pollinators hover around the blossoms and keep garden beds buzzing with life from midsummer through fall.
Blanket Flower
Picture a sunset in petal form—deep reds, oranges, and yellows blend together on a blanket flower that matures within its first year. This heat-loving perennial endures dry conditions and refuses to fade under the summer sun. Once established, it returns year after year with minimal care.
Yarrow
Clusters of tiny blossoms form a soft, feathery carpet in shades of pink, white, yellow, or red. Yarrow isn’t just a quick grower—it’s a magnet for beneficial insects as they draw ladybugs and lacewings that keep pests in check. Once planted, it flourishes in full sun and poor soil with ease.
California Poppy
In just 60 days, fields are turned with glowing orange flowers that sway gently in the wind. California Poppy flourishes in dry, sandy soil and intense sunlight, thriving where other plants struggle. As night falls, its delicate petals fold, ready to greet the morning.
Lobelia
With trailing stems covered in blue, white, or purple petals, Lobelia creates a beautiful cascade from baskets and containers. Thriving in cool weather, it continues blooming into the fall when other flowers begin to fade. Its flowing growth is perfect for window boxes.
Snapdragon
Garden drama at its finest—snapdragon unfurls its dragon-like blossoms in as little as eight weeks. Upright flower spikes rise in shades of pink, red, yellow, and white, bringing vertical flair to garden beds. Cool weather encourages strong growth, making it one of the first to bloom in spring.
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet fragrance drifts through the garden as clusters of tiny white, purple, and pink blossoms emerge within six weeks. These ground-hugging beauties fill gaps between stepping stones or soften the edges of flower beds. Their honey-like fragrance attracts pollinators and flourishes in cool weather.