Dark Clouds

For many people, growing a garden is an incredibly rewarding hobby, but it can be hard when you have to wait months to see the results of your work. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of fast-growing annual and perennial flowers out there that can produce stunning blooms in a matter of days or weeks. With a little extra love and care, you’ll have a breathtaking garden in no time. To help you see quick and lovely results, we’ve compiled a list of 16 fast-growing flowers, plus a bonus section on how to make a fresh start for the new year. Check it out below!

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Calendulas are fast-growing blooms that are well-known for their culinary purposes — many people use the petals in stews, broths and salads to add color and flavor. Calendulas also have medicinal properties, such as stimulating the immune system, but are also a fantastic option for garden beds. These bright blooms add a unique burst of color and are typically frost tolerant and cold hardy. Calendulas prefer full sun, however, if you live in a very hot climate, it’s best to place these flowers in partial shade to prevent heat damage.

Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)

Also known as bachelor’s buttons, cornflowers are resilient blooms that add a stunning burst of blue color to your backyard. The ruffled petals give off a unique fragrance, attracting a wide variety of bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Plant your cornflower seeds in full sun and moist soil and you’ll begin to see results within 7-10 days. Once your cornflowers are in full bloom, you can pick off a few petals and eat them, as they are completely edible!

Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)

Cosmos blooms are truly out of this world. These elegant flowers have delicate, crepe-like petals on slender stems, making them a beautiful addition to any garden. Their seeds get off to a quick start, but cosmos flowers are at their best during the summertime. These gorgeous blooms require little care and are a perfect option for beginner gardeners.

With vibrant and attractive blooms, Johnny jump-ups can make any garden pop. These flowers spread easily and self-seed yearly. If you want your garden to be filled with Johnny jump-ups, be sure to hold off on trimming the wilting flowers. Waiting time from seeding to germination is only between 14 and 21 days, making them perfect for a last-minute addition to your garden.

Few flowers are as bright and cheerful as marigolds! This October birth flower blooms all summer long and adds a glistening touch of gold to any flower bed or garden. These flowers are relatively drought tolerant, but wither easily in shade and cold weather. Be sure to place your marigolds in full sun and you’ll see them flourish completely within eight weeks!

• Annual or perennial: Hardiness zones 3-10
• Preferred light: Full sun or light shade
• Nigella (Nigella sativa)
• Pansy (Viola tricolor)
• Petunia (Petunia)
• Phlox (Phlox drummondii)

These beloved flowers have been a longtime favorite of gardeners. You’ll find morning glories blooming from early summer to the first frost, and they come in a stunning array of colors like white, pink, indigo and magenta. Shelter your blooms from strong winds and place them in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Keep in mind that morning glories like to climb, so place the plant near an arch or fence. Sometimes they can grow up to 10 feet in one season!