Rapidly Blooming Flora Luring Pollinators: A Gardener's Guide to Eight Flowering Species
In the buzzing world of gardening, patience is not always a virtue—not for all gardeners, and certainly not for pollinators! If you're eager to witness your yard transform into a vibrant, pollinator-friendly oasis in a matter of weeks, you've got plenty of options. We’ve got the lowdown on some speedy flowering plants that will captivate your senses and serve as a welcome feast for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Buckle up!
We chatted with experts from the Chicago Botanic Garden, American Meadows, and High Country Gardens, and here are their top picks:
16 Rapid-Blooming Flowers to Propel Your Garden to Pollinator Paradise
1. Zinnias
Zinnias—with their vivid reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks—are a real crowd-pleaser! Kendall Frost, content manager at American Meadows, can't help but share her fascination: "They're just so irresistibly pretty and so much fun to grow," she gushes. Position them as a charming ornament along a fence, walkway, or garden border, and watch these favorites bloom! Bonus: Zinnias double as enchanting cut flowers, and these lavish bouquets will surely brighten up your home while offering a tasty treat to beneficial bugs and birds.
- Growing Zones: 3 to 10
- Sunlight Requirements: Full sun; properly drained soil
- Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 8 to 10 inches wide
- Time to Maturity: 60 to 90 days
2. Sunflowers
How can you resist sunflowers (Helianthus annus) with their radiant, sun-kissed blooms? These timeless companions "draw bees, butterflies, and more into your yard like a magnet," says Frost. The good news? Sunflowers are a breeze to grow from seed, and their plant family is a keystone species, supporting an abundance of pollinators.
- Growing Zones: 3 to 9
- Soil Requirements: Full sun; adaptable soil (loam, clay, or sandy) that is rich and well-drained
- Size: 3 to 8 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
- Time to Maturity: 70 to 100 days
3. Petunias
Petunias offer a splash of color in shades of violet or pale pink, and they're a hit with pollinators. Tim Pollak, plant production manager at the Chicago Botanic Garden, recalls his mother growing these beauties in her home garden, "not only do they look beautiful, but they're a sweet treat for pollinators."
- Growing Zones: 2 to 11
- Soil Requirements: Full sun; properly drained soil
- Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 20 to 30 inches wide
- Time to Maturity: 8 to 12 weeks
Read here for an in-depth guide on how to grow and care for Petunias
4. Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) fills gardens with clouds of white, pink, or purple flowers, and its fragrance as sweet as honey is a real treat for your olfactory senses. Place it near patios, decks, doorways, or windows, so you can enjoy the sweet fragrance throughout the day.
- Growing Zones: 5 to 9
- Mature Size: 3 to 10 inches tall x 2 to 4 inches wide
- Soil Requirements: Full to partial sun; adequately drained soil
- Time to Maturity: About 2 months
5. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) are easy to maintain and come in a diverse range of colors. These blooms are a prolific source of nectar for pollinators throughout the season. Plus, their edible leaves and flowers make for a delightful addition to your meals!
- Growing Zones: 2 to 11
- Soil Requirements: Full sun to part shade; adequately drained soil
- Size: 6 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
- Time to Maturity: 4 to 6 weeks
Check out our expert tips on how to grow and care for Nasturtium!
6. Cosmos
Cosmos* blossom into pink, white, or yellow beauties that can ensemble various spots in your garden. Pollak notes that these blooms can be planted in open spaces within perennial borders, garden beds, and containers. Their large size attracts a multitude of bees and butterflies!
- Growing Zones: 2 to 11
- Soil Requirements: Full sun, adequately drained soil
- Size: 1 to 6 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
- Time to Maturity: About 2 months
7. Catmint
Cats aren't the only ones who love catmint (Nepeta). This engaging perennial attracts a horde of pollinators with its purple blooms. Lauren Carvalho, horticultural manager at High Country Gardens, declares, "It's a pollinator powerhouse!" The Little Trudy cultivar works well for paths, rock walls, and containers, while Walker's Low boasts masses of petite blue flowers in cloud-like clusters.
- Growing Zones: 3 to 8
- Size: 12 to 24 inches tall; varies in width
- Soil Requirements: Full sun; adequately drained soil
- Time to Maturity: 6 to 8 weeks
8. Marigolds
Marigolds are a breeze to cultivate, whether you start them from seed at home or purchase them from a nursery. The French marigold variety is a popular choice among gardeners, not only for its vibrant orange, red, or yellow hues but also for its ability to attract beneficial pollinators like bees!
- Growing Zones: 2 to 11
- Soil Requirements: Full sun; adequately drained soil
- Size: 6 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
- Time to Maturity: 45 to 50 days
Discover expert advice on how to grow and care for Marigolds here
9. Rocky Mountain Bee Plant (Cleome serrulata)
This plant's pink nectar-laden blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds, whilst filling empty garden spaces in record time.
- Growing Zones: 2 to 10
- Soil Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
- Size: 2 to 4 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
- Time to Maturity: 45 to 60 days from seed sowing or 30 days from transplants
Learn how to grow Rocky Mountain Bee Plant with our comprehensive guide!
10. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Bright, cheery, and fast-growing, the Black-Eyed Susan features golden petals and a dark center. Gardeners and pollinators alike will adore this sunny, delightful flower!
- Growing Zones: 3 to 10
- Soil Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
- Size: 1 to 3 feet tall; 1.5 to 2 feet wide
- Time to Maturity: 60 to 90 days from seed sowing or 30 to 45 days from transplants
Get advice on how to cultivate and care for Black-Eyed Susan from our expert sources!
11. Lantana (Lantana camara)
Lantana is a versatile, rapid-growing plant with pompom-like flowers in an array of colors such as yellow, white, red, and orange. Its vibrant blooms will undeniably captivate bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds!
- Growing Zones: 8 to 11
- Soil Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
- Size: 1 to 6 feet tall; 2 to 3 feet wide
- Time to Maturity: 60 to 90 days from seed sowing or 30 to 45 days from transplants
Find expert guidance on growing Lantana here!
12. Cannas (Canna x generalis)
Cannas deliver opulent, showy blooms in shades of fiery red, golden-yellow, and orange. These spectacular flowers are wonderful for attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators to your garden!
- Growing Zones: 7 to 11
- Soil Requirements: Full sun; fertile, well-drained soil
- Size: 3 to 6 feet tall; 1 to 2 feet wide
- Time to Maturity: 90 to 120 days from seed sowing or 30 to 60 days from transplants
Discover how to cultivate Cannas with our detailed guide here!
13. Tithonia Rotundifolia (Mexican Sunflower)
This dazzling, sunflower-inspired plant boasts large, orange blossoms with a velvety appearance. Hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies are drawn to its radiant beauty!
- Growing Zones: 9 to 11
- Soil Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
- Size: 4 to 7 feet tall; 2 to 3 feet wide
- Time to Maturity: 60 to 90 days from seed sowing or 30 to 60 days from transplants
14. Gazania (Gazania rigens)
Bright, colorful, and ever-blooming, the Gazania adds a splash of cheer to any garden. This hardy, rapid-growing plant is a popular choice for both gardeners and pollinators!
- Growing Zones: 8 to 11
- Soil Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
- Size: 1 to 2 feet tall; 1.5 to 2 feet wide
- Time to Maturity: 60 to 90 days from seed sowing or 30 to 60 days from transplants
15. Calibrachoa (Million Bells)
Calibrachoa—affectionately known as Million Bells—spoils gardeners and pollinators alike with its small but prolific blooms. Its trailing habit makes it perfect for spilling over walls and hanging baskets, adding a touch of whimsy to any garden space!
- Growing Zones: 9 to 11
- Soil Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
- Size: 6 to 10 inches tall; 1 to 2 feet wide
- Time to Maturity: 60 to 90 days from seed sowing or 30 to 60 days from transplants
16. Scaevola (Fan Flower)
The Scaevola, or Fan Flower, adds a touch of elegance with its fragrant, fanning blooms and elongated, slender foliage. This rapid-growing plant is perfect for containers, hanging baskets, and along pathways for a splash of color and fragrance!
- Growing Zones: 9 to 11
- Soil Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
- Size: 6 to 8 inches tall; 1 to 2 feet wide
- Time to Maturity: 60 to 90 days from seed sowing or 30 to 60 days from transplants
Take your garden to new heights, brimming with life and color, by incorporating these speedy, pollinator-friendly favorites. Happy gardening!
- Martha Stewart mentioned the allure of perennial sweet alyssum with its white, pink, or purple flowers, suggesting it for deck, doorway, or window placement in an Illinois beginner's garden.
- Expert Tim Pollak at the Chicago Botanic Garden recommends cosmos with pink, white, or yellow blossoms, suitable for various garden spots, as a quick way to entice bees and butterflies.
- American Meadows' Kendall Frost finds zinnias—with their vivid reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks—irresistibly pretty and a great addition to a garden border, attracting pollinators and serving as excellent cut flowers.
- High Country Gardens' Lauren Carvalho recognizes catmint as a powerful pollinator magnet, praising cultivars like Little Trudy and Walker's Low for integrating nicely into paths, rock walls, and containers.
- Growing petunias in a range of violet or pale pink hues is a splendid choice for pollinators, according to Tim Pollak, who shared that his mother enjoyed the flowers in her home garden.
- Zinnias, with their enchanting cut flowers and hosting capabilities for beneficial insects and birds, are a great addition to a fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden lifestyle.
