What Is the Fastest Growing Flower You Can Buy From the Store?

Marigold

• Marigolds are among the fastest-growing annuals. They come in hundreds of varieties in warm hues of yellow, orange and gold. Once in bloom, they flower continuously until a heavy frost. When planted in full sun, marigolds quickly grow up to 3 feet tall with blooms about 3 inches wide. Some vegetable gardeners use them to repel rodents from their garden plots.

Cosmos

• Another fast grower, cosmos bipinnatus resembles a daisy shape with a bright yellow center. The difference is in the bright colors of these vibrant flowers, which bloom in reds, pinks, purples and whites. They have delicate threadlike foliage on tall stems. Cosmos grows up to 6 feet tall and attracts butterflies to the garden. The flowers are about 3 inches across and thrive in full sun.

Coreopsis

• Coreopsis, also called tickseeds, come in annual and perennial varieties. Colors range from gold and yellow-orange to soft pink. The blossoms, some shaped like daisies, have single or double blooms. These tough, easy-to-grow flowers thrive in full sun and quickly shoot up. They reach anywhere from 1 to 3 feet tall, depending on the variety.

Petunia

• The petunia is one of the most widely grown annuals because of the ease with which it spreads. Petunias grow quickly in full sun, and are typically planted in pots and containers. They often have to be cut back in midsummer because they become leggy, but they grow back quickly. Newer varieties are known for the profuse waves of blooms that hang over containers and window boxes.