12 Fast-Growing Perennials to Plant in Your Garden

Rose Verbena — Credit:
Mindaugas Dulinskas / Getty Images

Perennials are beloved by gardeners because they come back year after year with minimal effort. But one downside of these plants is they often take multiple growing seasons to reach full maturity. If you want to experience the beauty of perennials with little wait time, consider these expert-recommended, fast-growing varieties to plant in your garden for a quick return.

Damon Abdi of the Hammond Research Station at Louisiana State University's agricultural center
Chuck Pavlich, director of new product development for Terra Nova Nurseries, a plant nursery in Clackamas County, Oregon

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Leopard Plant

Leopard plant (Farfugium japonicum) has fast-growing yellow flower spikes that shoot up in spring, offering interest to gardens, says Damon Abdi of the Hammond Research Station at Louisiana State University's agricultural center. The glossy bean-shaped leaves look beautiful even when the plant isn't in bloom.

Zones: 7 to 10
Size: 1 to 4 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Part to full shade; mildly moist soils

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Rose Mallow

Rose mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) is a tall, shrub-like plant with beautiful flowers that bloom in shades of white, pink, red, or burgundy. "Cut this plant back in late fall," says Abdi. "New growth emerges in spring and rapidly fills out the form." Rose mallow is native to wetlands, so it's a great addition to rain gardens.

Zones: 5 to 9
Size: 3 to 7 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Full to partial sun; consistently moist soils

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Red Hibiscus

As the name implies, red hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus) has striking red flowers that stand out in the garden during summer, says Abdi. Another plant that should be cut back in late fall, this plant emerges in spring and grows rapidly.

Zones: 5 to 9
Size: 6 to 8 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, wet soil

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Candy Corn

The beautiful flowers of candy corn (cuphea micropetala) look like embers burning with oranges and reds throughout fall, says Abdi. Cutting back this plant in late winter allows a new flush of growth.

Zones: 8 to 11
Size: 1 to 4 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; moist, well-draining soil

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Joe Pye Weed

Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum) is an upright-growing herbaceous perennial with pink or purple flowers that bloom from summer throughout fall. It's great for pollinators and should be cut back in late winter to allow new, fresh growth in spring, says Abdi. This fast grower can be divided and replanted elsewhere if it starts to outgrow its current home.

Zones: 4 to 8
Size: 4 to 8 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist to occasionally wet soil

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Heuchera Ginger Peach

Heuchera 'Ginger Peach' is one of the fastest growing varieties of heuchera in the garden, says Chuck Pavlich, director of new product development for Terra Nova Nurseries. It has ruffled foliage that changes color as it matures, going from peach to coral to copper to rose. It looks beautiful for years and usually reaches its full size by the end of June.

Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 4 to 8 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist to occasionally wet soil

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Rose Verbena

Rose verbena (Verbena canadensis) is a low growing mounding plant with profuse purple flowers that bloom from spring throughout fall, says Abdi. It spreads quickly, but the blooms are typically short-lived.

Zones: 6 to 10
Size: 18 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

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Leucanthemum Mt. Hood

A variety of shasta daisy, Mt. Hood has a perfect mounding habit and produces an enormous number of flowers throughout the season, says Pavlich. The quick-growing perennial has a strong re-bloom and overall great vigor, adding interest to the garden all summer long.

Zones: 4 to 10
Size: 16 inches tall x 16 to 20 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; fertile, well-draining soil

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Agastache Pink Pearl

This fast-growing variety of agastache produces a compact mound of cheerful blooms that attract pollinators to your garden. "Soft pink spikes of flowers cover this plant for months without a fuss," says Pavlich. Agastache 'Pink Pearl' grows quite quickly, reaching full size by July.

Zones: 4 to 10
Size: 16 inches tall x 16 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; fertile, well-draining soil

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Coneflower Kismet Raspberry

Coneflower in the garden — Credit:
Terra Nova Nurseries

This variety of the native coneflower (Echinacea) is a fast-grower that packs a punch. It flowers from early summer until the first frost and has large, raspberry-colored flowers that grow upright. "Each flower lasts for weeks with a lovely color and shows well in containers and gardens," says Pavlich.

Zones: 4 to 10
Size: 8 inches tall x 16 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; fertile, well-draining soil

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Russian Sage

Russian sage, known for its silvery-lavender blooms and wispy stems, is a favorite from late spring through late fall. It's a fast-growing perennial that thrives in full sun. Once established, it fills in quickly.

Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 3 to 4 feet tall x 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun, well-drained soil, very light watering

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Coreopsis

This cheerful bloom is known for its quick growth and long-flowering period. Coreopsis is a good choice for filling in space in a flowerbed, and is great for borders or containers. The yellow, daisy-like flowers will last all summer long.