When it comes to adding color and vibrancy to your garden, fast-growing annual flowers are a fantastic choice. These flowers not only bloom quickly but also provide a stunning display of colors throughout the growing season. Here are eight fast-growing annual flowers that are sure to brighten up your garden:
Marigold
Marigolds are a classic choice for fast-growing annual flowers. Within eight weeks of seeding, these cheerful flowers burst into bloom, showcasing shades of yellow, orange, and mahogany. For best results, plant marigolds in full sun and well-draining soil, and watch them thrive throughout the season.
Sweet Pea
With its delicate ruffled flowers and delicate tendrils, sweet peas add a touch of elegance to any garden. These vining flowers thrive when grown on bean tepees, arbors, trellises, or fences. While southerners should plant sweet peas in October, northerners can seed them in early spring, as these flowers prefer cooler temperatures.
Morning Glory
Morning glories are known for their old-fashioned charm and trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of pink, white, purple, blue, and magenta. These fast-growing annual vines are sun worshippers, with their petals unfurling each morning to greet the day.
Zinnia
Zinnias are cheerful bloomers that come in a wide range of colors, making them a favorite among gardeners. These flowers develop early seedlings just days after seeding, with blooms appearing six weeks later. Whether planted in borders or containers, zinnias add a pop of color to any garden.
Phlox
Phlox is an attractive fast-growing plant that thrives in hard-to-grow areas. With its early summer drifts of tiny blooms in shades of pink, red, white, blue, and purple, phlox adds a touch of whimsy to borders and containers alike.
Bachelor’s Button
Bachelor’s buttons, also known as cornflowers, evoke nostalgia with their fluffy blooms reminiscent of Grandma’s garden. These easy-to-grow flowers appear quickly in sunny areas, where mature plants may self-seed and naturalize, ensuring a continuous display of blooms.
Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are often considered annuals, although they are herbaceous perennials. With their vibrant orange blossoms and emerald green leaves, nasturtiums are not only beautiful but also edible. These fast-growing flowers require little maintenance and add a pop of color to any garden.
California Poppy
The California poppy is a native wildflower with fernlike leaves and cupped flowers in shades reminiscent of the setting sun. Thriving in full sun, this easy-growing flower adds a touch of natural beauty to any garden.