Got bare garden borders that need a quick fix? You don’t have to wait all season to see lush color and texture take over. These 19 fast-growing annuals are your best allies when you want to go from empty to abundant in just a few weeks.
Whether you’re dealing with newly dug beds or spots where perennials haven’t quite caught up, these plants grow with impressive speed. From zinnias and cosmos to lesser-known gems like amaranth and calendula, each one offers a unique pop of color, height, or fragrance. Most are low-maintenance, and many attract pollinators, turning your plain patch into a buzzing paradise.
No more waiting around for a “mature” garden—these annuals bring instant gratification. Just sow, water, and watch your borders burst to life before the month is out.
Sunflowers
Imagine a garden kissed by the sun and adorned with towering sunflowers. Known for their cheerful disposition, sunflowers can grow several feet within weeks, offering a sunny focal point in your garden. Their tall, sturdy stalks and large, radiant blooms make them a favorite among both children and adults.
These flowers not only attract humans but are also a haven for bees and birds, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. With various species available, you can enjoy a range of sizes and colors, all bringing a slice of sunshine.
Zinnias
Zinnias are the life of the party in any garden, flaunting a spectrum of colors from bold reds to soft pinks. These hardy annuals can sprout and bloom quickly, filling your garden with cheerful hues.
Their compact nature makes them ideal for borders, and they thrive in full sun, requiring minimal maintenance. A favorite among pollinators, zinnias are perfect for those wanting to support local wildlife. Whether in pots or on the ground, their vibrant presence is hard to miss.
Nasturtiums
With a peppery flavor perfect for salads, nasturtiums offer more than just visual appeal. These fast-growers are known for their climbing tendencies, making them ideal for garden trellises and borders alike.
Their striking blooms range from fiery reds to golden yellows, adding warmth to any garden setting. Beyond aesthetics, nasturtiums are excellent companions in vegetable gardens, deterring pests naturally. Their dual purpose of beauty and functionality makes them a gardener’s delight.
Marigolds
Standing as guardians of the garden, marigolds are celebrated for their pest-repelling properties. These vibrant blooms come in hues of gold, orange, and red, creating a lively tapestry of color.
Their rapid growth and low maintenance make them a staple in gardens worldwide. Popular in cultural ceremonies, marigolds bring both beauty and tradition to your garden space. Their cheerful blooms are sure to uplift any garden atmosphere.
Cosmos
Whispers of elegance, cosmos flowers sway gently in the breeze. These delicate annuals grow swiftly, producing daisy-like blooms that dance atop slender stems.
Their airy appearance belies a robust nature, as they flourish in poor soil, requiring little attention. Often associated with love and peace, cosmos are perfect for those seeking a serene garden escape. With their soft colors, they create a dreamy, ethereal ambiance.
Petunias
A cascade of color, petunias offer endless possibilities for garden layouts. Known for their trumpet-shaped blooms, they spill beautifully from hanging baskets and window boxes.
These fast-growing annuals are available in a rainbow of shades, each adding a splash of personality to any space. Their sweet fragrance and rich palette make them a magnet for hummingbirds. With minimal care, petunias provide a stunning, continuous show of blooms.
Sweet Peas
In the realm of fragrant flowers, sweet peas reign supreme. Known for their intoxicating scent, these annuals quickly climb fences and trellises, producing delicate blooms in shades of purple, pink, and white.
Their rapid growth and captivating aroma make them a favorite for creating romantic garden settings. Sweet peas’ old-world charm is both nostalgic and refreshing, a lovely nod to classic garden aesthetics. Perfect for cutting gardens, they make delightful bouquets.
Snapdragons
With their whimsical dragon-like blooms, snapdragons bring a touch of fantasy to any garden. These fast-growing annuals come in a myriad of colors, making them versatile for various garden themes.
Beloved for their unique shape, snapdragons are often found in cottage gardens and urban spaces alike. Their ability to thrive in cooler temperatures extends their blooming season, offering vibrant color from spring to fall. They’re a delightful choice for imaginative gardeners.
Impatiens
In the shade-loving category, impatiens are unrivaled in their ability to brighten dark corners. These fast-growing annuals produce prolific blooms in soft pastels and vibrant hues.
Their adaptability to low-light conditions makes them ideal for shaded garden areas and under trees. Impatiens provide a consistent splash of color, requiring minimal care. Their cheerful presence acts as a gentle invitation to explore hidden garden nooks.
Morning Glories
Morning glories greet each day with open blooms, a beautiful reminder of nature’s rhythm. These fast-growing vines quickly cover trellises and fences with their heart-shaped leaves and trumpet-like flowers.
Favored for their vibrant blues and purples, morning glories add vertical interest to gardens. Their ability to thrive in full sun with minimal care makes them a gardener’s trusted ally. Each bloom lasts a single day, offering a daily surprise and delight.
Calendulas
Calendulas, often known as pot marigolds, glow with a sunny disposition. Their fast growth and bright blooms bring warmth and cheer to any garden setting.
Renowned for their skin-soothing properties, calendulas are often used in herbal remedies. Their easy cultivation and vibrant color make them a favorite for both novice and seasoned gardeners. They are a radiant choice for adding sunny charm to borders and pots alike.
Bachelor’s Buttons
Bachelor’s buttons captivate with their delicate cornflower blue hues. These fast-growing annuals nod gently in the breeze, adding a touch of wild beauty to gardens.
Their ability to thrive in poor soil conditions makes them a resilient choice for gardeners. Often used in bouquets, bachelor’s buttons provide a classic and timeless look. Their simplicity and grace offer a charming contrast to more elaborate blooms.
Alyssum
Alyssum, with its sweet honey fragrance, creates a soft floral carpet that’s hard to resist. These tiny blooms spread quickly, filling gaps with ease.
Ideal for rock gardens and borders, alyssum thrives in sunny locations. Their delicate flowers attract helpful insects, supporting a balanced garden ecosystem. Alyssum’s gentle presence and subtle scent offer a soothing garden experience.
Cleome
Known for their spider-like flowers, cleomes add a unique dimension to garden beds. Their tall, airy stems and striking blooms create an architectural appeal.
These fast-growing annuals are drought-tolerant, making them a practical choice for water-wise gardens. Cleomes’ distinct appearance and vibrant colors make them a standout addition, bringing intrigue to any planting scheme.
Larkspur
Larkspur’s tall spires create a majestic backdrop in garden borders. These fast-growing annuals produce elegant flowers in shades of blue, purple, and white.
Their towering presence and feathery foliage add a touch of drama to landscapes. Larkspur’s historical use in traditional medicine adds an interesting dimension, appealing to those with a love for plant lore. They offer a regal presence with minimal effort.
Balsam
Balsam, with its jewel-toned flowers, thrives in moist garden areas. These fast-growers are known for their vibrant hues and lush appearance.
Ideal for adding color to wetter spots, balsam’s resilient nature makes it a favorite among gardeners. Their historic use as a traditional dye adds cultural richness to their appeal. Balsam’s vivid blooms are a joyful addition to any garden palette.
Four O’Clocks
Named for their charming afternoon blooms, Four O’Clocks add a whimsical touch to gardens. Their fast growth and varied colors make them a versatile choice.
These flowers open in the late afternoon, releasing a pleasant fragrance that attracts evening pollinators. Four O’Clocks’ easy cultivation and unique blooming habit offer both beauty and intrigue, perfect for night gardens.
Nigella
Nigella, often called love-in-a-mist, enchants with its delicate blooms and intricate seed pods. These fast-growing annuals bring an ethereal quality to garden beds.
Their feathery foliage and romantic flowers are a favorite in cottage gardens. Nigella’s historical use in culinary and medicinal applications adds depth to its charm. The plant’s whimsical appearance and low maintenance make it a garden treasure.
Poppies
Poppies, with their iconic silky petals, are a must for any vibrant garden. These fast-growing annuals create a stunning display of color in red, orange, and pink.
Their ability to thrive in poor soil conditions makes them a resilient choice. Known for their historical symbolism and use in art, poppies add both beauty and depth to garden landscapes. Their fleeting blooms are a reminder of nature’s delicate balance.