There’s something refreshing about stepping outside to be welcomed by a garden full of colorful blossoms during the summer. If you’re excited to improve your garden, patio pots, or backyard beds with vibrant flowers and want to see fast results, you’re in luck. Here are five fast-growing flowers that thrive in the summer sun, brighten any space, and are easy enough even for beginner gardeners. Let’s dig in!
Marigolds
Marigolds are a garden favorite for a reason. Their bright yellow, orange, and gold blooms radiate happiness, and they’re quite easy to grow. Marigolds sprout quickly from seeds, often in only a few days, and can bloom all through the hottest months. Marigolds aren’t just beautiful, they’re practical too. They naturally repel pests like aphids and nematodes, making them perfect companions in your vegetable garden. Marigolds are often used in cultural celebrations around the world, including Día de los Muertos in Mexico!
Growing tips: Plant marigolds in full sun with well-drained soil. Keep them deadheaded (pinch off spent blooms) and they’ll reward you with an endless display of color.
Asters
If you want a burst of color just as other summer flowers begin to fade, asters are your go-to. These adorable flowers come in gorgeous shades of purple, pink, and white. Asters are also magnets for butterflies and beneficial bees, keeping your garden lively and healthy. The name “Aster” comes from the Greek word for “star,” perfectly describing their sparkling blooms.
Growing tips: Asters enjoy full sun but can tolerate a bit of shade. They prefer consistently moist (but not soggy) soil, so a little mulch around the base can help retain moisture during dry spells.
Zinnias
Zinnias may be the ultimate summer flower. They’re bold, colorful, and lightning-fast to bloom, often showing their first flowers just 6–8 weeks after planting! Zinnias are ideal for cutting gardens. Snip a few stems and you’ll have fresh flower bouquets all season long right from your garden. Zinnias have been grown aboard the International Space Station, making them one of the first flowers to bloom in space!
Growing tips: Zinnias love full sun and hot temperatures. Space them out well to allow for good airflow, which helps prevent powdery mildew. And skip the sprinkler—watering at the base is best.
Petunias
Whether you’re decorating a balcony, patio, raised bed, or garden bed, petunias will surely fit right in. Their luxuriant, colorful blooms come in just about every shade imaginable, and they’re known for their amazing flower power. Petunias can hang beautifully from hanging baskets or create a colorful carpet in garden beds. Plus, some varieties of petunia are lightly fragrant, making them beautiful additions to your garden or patio. In the Victorian language of flowers, petunias symbolized “your presence soothes me.”
Growing tips: Petunias thrive in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Regularly pinch off spent flowers to encourage even more blooming—unless you’re growing a self-cleaning variety like wave petunias.
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea)
If you’re looking for a vibrant flower that will handle the harshest elements, look no further than the Purple Coneflower. Native to North America, these hearty blooms are both stunning and beneficial. Purple coneflowers are mostly drought-tolerant, attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, and even provide seeds for birds in the fall. Echinacea has long been prized for its medicinal properties and is still a popular ingredient in herbal remedies today.
Growing tips: Plant them in full sun and average soil—no need to pamper. These sturdy plants can handle heat, poor soil conditions, and even a little neglect.
Blooming Joy in Your Garden
Whether you love the rich jewel tones like the asters and zinnias, the sunny cheer of marigolds, or the hearty beauty of purple coneflowers, these fast-growing flowers will have your garden thriving in no time. Whether you have an urban garden or sprawling spaces to grow, you can create a vibrant space filled with beautiful blooms.
Final Thoughts
You can mix and match some of these varieties for a vibrant show of color, or plant just one type for a bold, eye-catching look. Either way, you’re sure to enjoy months of beauty, attracting bees and butterflies, and bringing happiness to your garden.
