Patience is an important virtue for any gardener. But if you can't wait any longer for a blooming plot, fast-growing flower varieties will give you instant results – and beautiful beds filled with colour in no time.
"With the soil warming up and the days getting longer, spring is the perfect time to start sowing flower seeds. The conditions are perfect for seeds to germinate quickly, and young plants don't have the threat of extreme temperatures, giving you a good head start on summer displays," Paul Parker, CEO of plants and bulbs specialists J. Parker's, tells Country Living.
To speed growing up as much as possible, consider starting your seeds up in pots, as the soil in these will warm faster than open ground. Pick a sunny, sheltered spot and keep your soil consistently moist, never soggy.
Plus, if you sow these seeds little and often throughout the coming weeks, you'll have a continuous display of flowers to enjoy over summer.
So panic not if you didn't get around to planting bulbs in autumn. These eight fast-growing flowers are easy to care for and will transform your garden into a colourful oasis in just a few weeks.
1. Marigold
These hardy annuals grow in eight weeks and come in zingy yellows and oranges that will brighten your garden. Pollinators also love these vibrant flowers, so before long, you’ll be able to enjoy your garden to the gentle hum of buzzing bees.
"Marigolds are great for beginners and can be grown in pots, beds or borders. Some types will even self-seed, which means they come back without any extra effort," says Paul. "Deadheading throughout summer really helps keep the flowers coming."
2. Nigella
Nigellas, with their light blue petals and lacy leafage, are a must-have for every cottage garden. Also known by the poetic name ‘love-in-a-mist’, they grow in cooler spring weather and bloom in early summer.
The flower experts at the Royal Horticultural Society recommend scattering the seeds in drifts through a border, which will make the flowers appear to float among their foliage.
"Once your flower is established, it more or less takes care of itself, and it self-seeds too, which is a bonus. You can sow a mixed variety directly into a sunny spot from March onwards," says Paul.
3. Snapdragons
"Snapdragons are one of my go-tos for a bold, easy-to-care-for display," explains John. "If you want quick results, I'd suggest picking up some garden-ready plugs. You can plant them straight into prepared soil or into containers and just keep them watered and fed through the season.
"Snapdragons are tall and vibrant, and if you deadhead them regularly, they'll keep on flowering. If you’re growing them in pots, make sure to use a balanced peat-free compost, and keep on top of watering when you notice it's getting dry."
Cone-shaped and colourful, snapdragons are a perennial garden favourite. Plant them now, and in as little as eight weeks, you’ll enjoy their eye-catching blooms in shades of white, yellow, pink, red, orange, and purple.
4. Cornflowers
Another cottage garden staple, these sturdy wildflowers don’t mind the fickle spring weather and flaunt their blue petals in early summer if planted now. Also known as bachelor's buttons, cornflowers are beloved by bees and other pollinators, making them an excellent choice for gardeners who enjoy a natural, bucolic setting. Scatter the seeds now and enjoy their beauty in about 10 weeks.
Paul adds: "I usually start seeds indoors a few weeks before May, but you can also sow them directly outside. Just press the seeds firmly into the soil because they prefer a bit of darkness to germinate. They're very forgiving with soil types, so it's great if you want something low fuss."
5. Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are true power flowers. Not only are they beautiful climbing plants, but they’re also a popular choice for vegetable patches, often interplanted with cucumbers and tomatoes to deter insects. And they don’t just protect your fruit and veg – they're edible too, packed with vitamin C. Their bright orange and yellow flowers bloom in just six weeks.
6. Alyssum
Sweet alyssum is a great choice for garden edging and will take just three to six weeks to first flower. It forms low, frothy cushions of honey-scented blooms that soften the edges of paths, borders and pots beautifully.
7. Cosmos
For height and movement, it's hard to beat cosmos. It's feathery foliage and vibrant, daisy-like flowers sway beautifully in a summer breeze, attracting pollinators and adding a relaxed, romantic feel to borders. Plus, they can keep flowering up until early Autumn for a long stretch of garden colour.
8. Phlox
With its soft, starry flowers and gentle scent, phlox is a quiet star of summer borders. Annual varieties are particularly easy to grow from seed, quickly forming low mounds of blush, lilac and white blooms that flower generously with minimal attention. It will add a romantic feel woven between taller, bolder annuals such as cosmos or calendula.
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Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
Cara is Commissioning Editor at Country Living, covering everything from style and interiors to sustainability, artisans and the great outdoors. She has previously worked for Good Housekeeping, Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Prima and Red, and has an MA in Magazine Journalism from City University and a BA in Music from the University of Oxford. Follow Cara on Instagram @caralaskaris or Linkedin.
