Getty / Marcia Straub
Not all gardeners are patient, and neither are pollinators. Fortunately, some of the most beautiful flowering plants that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds also grow remarkably quickly, bringing color and life to your yard in just a few weeks. We spoke with expert gardeners about these fast-growing blooms. Keep reading to discover a few of their favorites and how to care for them.
Meet the Experts:
– Tim Pollak, plant production manager at the Chicago Botanic Garden
– Kendall Frost, master gardener and content manager at American Meadows
– Megan Foster, perennial and bulb expert at American Meadows
– Lauren Carvalho, horticultural manager at High Country Gardens
Zinnias:
The red, orange, yellow, and pink blooms of zinnias (Zinnia elegans) are a delight for both gardeners and pollinators. “They’re irresistibly pretty and fun to grow,” says Kendall Frost. “They’re perfect for growing along a fence, walkway, or garden border.” Zinnias also make beautiful cut flowers and attract beneficial bugs and birds.
Zones: 3 to 10
Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil
Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 8 to 10 inches wide
Time to Maturity: 60 to 90 days
Sunflowers:
Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are loved for their bright yellow blooms that attract bees, butterflies, and more to your yard. “They’re quick and easy to grow from seed,” says Frost. Sunflowers are a keystone species that support an abundance of pollinators, making them a favorite for both adults and kids to grow.
Zones: 3 to 9
Care Requirements: Full sun, fertile, well-drained soil
Size: 3 to 8 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
Time to Maturity: 70 to 100 days
Petunias:
Petunias are a colorful addition to any garden, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with their nectar-rich flowers. Tim Pollak recalls his mother growing petunias in their home garden, noting they not only look beautiful but are beneficial for pollinators.
Zones: 2 to 11
Care Requirements: Full sun, well-drained soil
Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 20 to 30 inches wide
Time to Maturity: 8 to 12 weeks
Sweet Alyssum:
Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) fills a garden with white, pink, and purple flowers and has a honey-like fragrance. It adapts well to various environments and can be grown in garden beds, containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes, providing a sweet fragrance to enjoy near patios, decks, doorways, or windows.
Zones: 5 to
Planting Soil Time to Maturity: Around 2 months Nasturtium Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) are simple to cultivate and are available in a range of stunning, lively colors. They draw in pollinators throughout the entire season, offering ample nectar to these helpful insects and birds. “One advantage of growing nasturtiums is that you can eat their flowers and leaves, adding a vibrant touch to your plate with a spicy taste,” he adds. Zones: 2 to 11 Size: 6 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil Time to Maturity: 4 to 6 weeks Related: How to Cultivate and Look After Nasturtium Cosmos Cosmos, with their pink, white, and yellow blooms, can fill various spaces in a garden and are extremely beneficial to pollinators. They can be planted in “open spots in your perennial borders, in addition to garden beds and containers,” says Pollak. Their large flowers entice bees and butterflies and can also serve as excellent cut flowers. Zones: 2 to 11 Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil Size: 1 to 6 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide Time to Maturity: Around 2 months Catmint Felines adore catmint (Nepeta), but so do birds and bees. These purple blooms are a “pollinator powerhouse,” according to Lauren Carvalho, horticultural manager at High Country Gardens. “It serves as an excellent, hassle-free filler, boasting abundant purple-blue blooms and soft grey foliage,” she remarks. Carvalho suggests the Little Trudy variety for paths, rock walls, and containers. Megan Foster, perennial and bulb expert at American Meadows, praises Walker’s Low, which produces blooms resembling “little blue flower clouds.” Zones: 3 to 8 Size: 12 to 24 inches tall; width varies Care Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil Time to Maturity: 6 to 8 weeks Marigolds “I enjoy cultivating French marigolds in my garden because they are so easy to grow from seed, whether you start them indoors or directly sow them outside,” says Pollak. Not only are they a fantastic, beginner-friendly plant, but these marigolds also attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the garden with their vibrant orange, red, and yellow hues. Zones: 2 to 11 Care Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil Size: 6 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide Time to Maturity: 45 to 50 days [Original text source: Martha Stewart]
