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For some, gardening is a therapeutic activity. For others, it’s less about the process and more about the end results—a beautiful, lush yard full of life and color.
If you’re looking to fill out your garden and you’d love to see results quickly, we’ve rounded up 13 fast-growing plants for those looking for results or a challenge.
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Cornflower is a fast-growing wildflower with beautiful blooms that resemble a small carnation. They can be grown in pots or containers, but do best in pastures and meadows. You can also start seeds indoors to encourage early blooming, and prune to extend their flowering season.
Time to mature size: 80-100 days
Color varieties: Blue, purple, pink, white, red
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No matter what you call it—gordaldo, thousand leaf, plumajillo—yarrow is a quick-growing plant with delicate, yellow blooms. It’s drought-tolerant and does well in poor soil if you’re in need of an option for an arid climate. However, it is considered invasive in some areas and can be mildly toxic to certain pets.
Time to mature size: One growing season (120 days)
Water: Frequent and light to germinate followed by 1/2 inch of water weekly
Color varieties: White, yellow, pink, red, purple, orange
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For an attention-grabbing space filler, purple fountain grass is an ideal and fast-growing choice. It’s best planted in spring and looks particularly beautiful come autumn.
Time to mature size: One growing season
Water: Thoroughly after planting followed by at least twice a week
Color varieties: Red, purple
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With long, spiked blooms that resemble a large ear of grain, agastache is both quick-growing and successful in luring pollinators. The leaves can also be used to make tea.
Time to mature size: One growing season
Water: Occasional deep watering followed by days of hot sun
Color varieties: Red, pink, orange, blue, purple, white
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Lavatera thuringiaca, native central and southeastern Europe m
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If you’re looking for a great shrub to fill your borders, lavatera is a quick-growing shrub that’s known to flower within its first year.
Time to mature size: 1-2 growing seasons
Water: Regularly to establish the root system, then occasional watering in the absence of rain
Color varieties: Pink, purple, white
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Hydrangeas are already beloved for being beautiful, classic, and low-maintenance, but they’re also quick-growing—as far as shrubs are concerned. They can average around 24 inches of growth a year, meaning you’ll see meaningful change relatively quickly.
Time to mature size: 2-3 years
Water: One to two times a week with deeps drink of water, especially during the growing season
Color varieties: White, blue, pink, red, purple, green
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For a fast-growing and low-maintenance option that also attracts pollinators, the butterfly bush is a great option. It produces abundant clusters of vibrant flowers, and is a wonderful way to quickly add more color to your garden.
Time to mature size: 2-3 years
Water: 1/2 inch of water by rain or irrigation each week
Color varieties: Purple, pink, blue, white, yellow
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For a fast growing-tree with beautiful blooms, crepe myrtle is an excellent option. It’s particularly popular in the southern U.S., and looks beautiful year round.
Time to mature size: 3-5 years to become established, 5-10 years for full maturity, and a height increase of 24” per year
Water: Often and deeply at the roots, with two to three gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter
Color varieties: Red, pink, purple, white
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Euphorbia peplus
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Also know as spurge, euphorbia is a large genus of plant with over 2,000 species, but some—such as the hedyotoides and ingens varietals—are known to be quick-growing.
Time to mature size: 2-3 years, with flowers 1-2 years after germination
Water: Periodic watering at the root
Color varieties: Yellow, pale red
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As an alternative to hydrangeas but with a similar look, certain varieties of perennial viburnum are a quick-growing shrub option that can be used for hedging, ground coverage, or privacy.
Time to mature size: Five years, with up to two feet of growth per year once established
Color varieties: White, pink
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This beautiful flower vine is an ideal choice if you’re looking for a quick-growing climber that’s fragrant and attractive to pollinators.
Time to mature size: 5-10 years, but up to 3-6 feet in its first year alone
Water: Regularly when the top inch of soil is dry, being mindful of root rot
Color varieties: White, yellow
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Known for its long branches and bright yellow blooms, forsythia is an ideal pick if you’re looking to add a shrub to your garden that offers beautiful color in early spring.
Time to mature size: Up to 8 years, but with average growth of 16-24 inches per year
Water: At least 2 inches of water a week until established, then only during extended periods with no rain
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Silver birch trees are another fast-growing tree option, which grow best in cooler climates and offer beautiful, vibrant leaves. It’s considered invasive in some areas, so be sure to research before planting to ensure it’s a good fit for your climate.
Time to mature size: 20-30 years for full height, but they grow quickly during the first 10-15 years
Water: Soil should be consistently damp, ideally covered with snow in winter
Color varieties: Yellow, green
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