As someone who tends to be a little impatient in the garden, I’ve really come to appreciate the value of these fast-growing perennials. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing a bare patch of soil transform into a lush, colorful space in just one season. I remember planting a few Montbretien along the back of my bed last spring, and by mid-summer, they were already towering over the other plants with their fiery blooms swaying in the breeze. It gave the whole garden an instant sense of maturity, and honestly, it kept me motivated to keep gardening. For me, it’s not just about the end result—it’s about seeing visible progress, and these speedy growers offer exactly that.
I’ve also found that mixing these quick growers with slower, long-term plants creates a nice balance in the garden. While the fast ones fill in gaps and bring immediate color, the slower shrubs and perennials quietly establish themselves in the background. Over time, the garden evolves naturally without ever looking empty or bare. It’s a bit like setting the stage—the quick bloomers bring the drama early on, while the others slowly build depth and character. And if I ever get the itch to tweak things, it’s much easier to experiment with fast-growing varieties since they bounce back quickly and adapt well to change.
Creating a garden bed takes time and patience. But if you don’t want to wait long to see the first blooms from your gardening efforts, consider planting these fast-growing perennials.
Plant growth, especially in the first few years, is usually quite slow. Fortunately, there are several fast-growing perennial species that are perfect for impatient gardeners. Nature may be a source of relaxation and peace for many—its timeless consistency helps us unwind and recharge. But sometimes, nature is just too slow. Waiting five years or more for a hedge to grow tall or for gaps in a flower bed to fill in isn’t everyone’s idea of fun.
Fast-growing perennials are especially useful when gardens are being redesigned or newly planted. These plants give structure while slower-growing shrubs are still establishing themselves and quickly bring greenery and color to the garden. If you’re in need of a quick privacy screen or simply lack patience, fast-growing perennials are the ideal choice.
Here’s a selection of plants that show lush growth in no time:
Contents
These Perennials Grow Especially Fast:
- Crocosmia (Montbretia)
- Cranesbill (Geranium)
- Lupines
- Bear’s Breeches (Acanthus)
- Avens (Geum)
- Purple-Leaf Spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea’)
- Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
Montbretia
Botanical Name: Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora
Nicknamed “falling stars,” Montbretia belongs to the iris family. They resemble gladiolus in growth, reaching up to 1 meter tall and bearing up to 20 blooms per stem. Their slender, arching, fan-like leaves cover large areas of the flower bed. Thanks to their height and overhanging growth, they’re great for the back of sunny beds.
Cranesbill
Recommended Type: Armenian Cranesbill (Geranium psilostemon)
This is the most vigorous grower in the geranium family, growing upright to about 1 meter high. With large, five-lobed leaves, it fills in spaces well in sunny or semi-shaded borders. Its vivid purple flowers are a highlight in June and July.
Lupines
Botanical Name: Lupinus polyphyllus
A stunning flowering plant for the back of beds or as a low privacy screen. Lupines can grow up to 120 cm tall and bear flower spikes up to 50 cm long in a variety of colors. The blooms open successively, offering near-continuous flowers from May to August. For faster coverage, plant in groups of three to five in a sunny, open spot.
Bear’s Breeches
Botanical Name: Acanthus mollis
Also known as Soft Bear’s Breeches, this plant doesn’t actually belong to the cow parsnip family (Heracleum), but to the genus Acanthus. It stands out with tall, upright stems (up to 1 meter) bearing elegant white flowers. While beautiful, it is only partially hardy in colder climates and needs winter protection.
Avens
Botanical Name: Geum
Perfect for those seeking fast-growing, low-flowering plants. These tuft-forming perennials grow to about 40 cm and bloom from April to August in vibrant yellow, white, pink, or red—depending on the variety. In autumn, their delicate seed heads add charm. With attractive foliage as well, such as in the ‘Eos’ variety, Geum makes a great border or front-of-bed plant. They look best planted in groups.
Purple-Leaf Spurge
Botanical Name: Euphorbia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea’
A fast-growing, evergreen perennial that stays relatively low at around 50 cm. Its yellow-green flowers sit above deep reddish-brown foliage, which stays on through winter—creating a striking contrast. This spurge is great for woodland edges, paths, or rock gardens.
Lily of the Valley
Botanical Name: Convallaria majalis
Though delicate in appearance, Lily of the Valley spreads aggressively and quickly becomes a dense ground cover. Especially under light shade and among trees, it colonizes large areas rapidly. Caution: It’s highly toxic and very difficult to remove once established.
