8 Rapidly Blooming Blossoms Enticing Pollen-Seekers
Fast and fabulous flora for pollinators! Ready to fill your yard with a kaleidoscope of colors and charm the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds? Well, you're in luck! We've tapped the know-how of some green-thumb gurus to help you grow gorgeous flowers in a snap. Let's dive right into their favorites, shall we?!
Smile-Inducing Sunflowers
Say hello to sunshine-yellow sunflowers (Helianthus annus), beloved by all and exponents of attracting bees, butterflies, and more! "These cheery blooms are quick to grow," beams Kendall Frost, master gardener and content manager at American Meadows. Not only are they a blast to grow from seed, but sunflowers are a keystone species (yes, that's a thing!), supporting an abundance of pollinators.
Tim Pollak, plant production manager at the Chicago Botanic Garden, recalls, "I was always amazed by the number of bees and butterflies they attracted back in my grandmother's cottage garden in central Illinois." A fun reminder for the young'uns, there's also an educational bonus - kids will absolutely adore this magical, fast-growing plant!
- Where to plant: Full sun; loam, clay, or sandy soil that's abundant and well-drained
- Size: 3 to 8 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
- Bloom Time: 70 to 100 days
All about Zinnias
Up next on our whirlwind tour of speedy bloomers is the irresistible zinnias (Zinnia elegans), admired for their vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink. Kendall Frost catapults her love for zinnias, stating, "They're just so irresistibly pretty and such a joy to grow! And they're perfect heights for growing along a fence, a walkway, or a garden border."
Enchanting as they are, zinnias make for fantastic cut flowers, too. They'll fill your home with breathtaking bouquets while beneficial bugs and birds can't get enough!
- Pampering Tips: Zone 3 to 10; full sun; well-draining soil
- Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 8 to 10 inches wide
- Bloom Time: 60 to 90 days
Petunias: Azaleas of the Ground
Petunias, with their captivating shades of blue, lavender, purple, and pink, are the perfect choice to introduce a splash of color to your garden. Tim Pollak shares heartwarming memories of his mother proudly growing these flowers in her garden. "Petunias will attract hordes of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with their nectar-rich flowers."
- Planting Advice: Zone 2 to 11; full sun; well-drained soil
- Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 20 to 30 inches wide
- Bloom Time: 8 to 12 weeks
Sweet Alyssum: The Fragrant Charm
Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) casts a honey-scented spell over every garden, featuring white, pink, and purple flowers. Tim Pollak advises, "They can be effortlessly grown in garden beds, containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes. Put them where you can enjoy the sweet fragrance near a patio, deck, doorway, or window."
- Additional Information: Zone 5 to 9; mature size: 3 to 10 inches tall x 2 to 4 inches wide; full to partial sun; well-draining soil; takes approximately 2 months to mature
Nasturtiums: Pass-the-Plate!
Hailing from South America, nasturtiums (*Tropaeolum majus) have made a fabulous name for themselves among gardeners and pollinators alike. These easy-to-grow charmers come in a variety of dazzling shades and add a zap of color to your garden all season long.
Bonus: Their flowers and leaves are edible and add a burst of color and spice to your plates! "One benefit of growing nasturtiums is that their flowers and leaves are edible, adding bright color to your plate with a peppery flavor," declares Tim Pollak.
- Gardening Tips: Zone 2 to 11; full sun to part shade; well-drained soil; 4 to 6 weeks to maturity
Cosmos: Embrace the Wildflower Chic
Enter cosmos, with their pink, white, and yellow blooms, into the scene! These beautiful blooms can transform many spaces in the garden and are simply adored by bees and butterflies. Tim Pollak recommends planting "open spots in your perennial borders, alongside garden beds and containers" with cosmos.
- Gardening Tips: Zone 2 to 11; full sun, well-draining soil; 1 to 6 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide; 2 months to maturity
Catmint: Feline Favorites and Fashion Statements
Ah, catmint (Nepeta)! A favorite of felines and pollinators, their heavenly purple blooms are a "pollinator powerhouse." Lauren Carvalho, horticultural manager at High Country Gardens, suggests the Little Trudy cultivar for paths, rock walls, and containers. Meanwhile, Megan Foster, perennial and bulb expert at American Meadows, swoons over Walker's Low, which produces blooms that "adorn landscapes like little blue flower clouds."
- Take Care: Zone 3 to 8; size: 12 to 24 inches tall, varying width; full sun; well-drained soil; 6 to 8 weeks to maturity
Marigolds: The Charmer's Charm
Last but certainly not least, French Marigolds, the epitome of beginner-friendly plants! "I love growing French Marigolds in my garden, because they are so easy to grow from seed, either starting them indoors or directly sowing them outside," explains Tim Pollak. Not only are they a cinch to care for, but these delightful flowers also attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with their striking orange, red, and yellow hues.
- Growing Conditions: Zone 2 to 11; full sun; well-drained soil; 6 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide; 45 to 50 days to maturity
- Martha Stewart, the legendary lifestyle icon, highly recommends planting sunflowers, zinnias, petunias, sweet alyssum, nasturtiums, cosmos, catmint, and marigolds for a vibrant garden that will attract pollinators.
- For beginners, French Marigolds are an ideal choice as they are easy to grow and boast striking colors that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
- Sunflowers, a favorite among pollinators, are quick to grow and supported by an abundance of wildlife. They are perfect for a home-and-garden setting, especially for children who will enjoy their magical growth.
- Perennial bloomer cosmos is ideal for open spots in your perennial borders, garden beds, and containers, adding a layer of wildflower chic to any space.
- Petunias, with their captivating colors, are beloved by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making them a wonderful addition to any garden border or walkway.
