If you don’t want to wait for blooms for months, grow these fast-flowering vines and make your garden colorful within weeks!
These climbers grow quickly, flower profusely, and require minimal care, making them ideal for both beginners and seasoned gardeners.
Vines That Flower Quickly
1. Black-Eyed Susan Vine
Botanical Name: Thunbergia alata
This annual climber produces bright yellow, orange, or white flowers with distinctive dark centers resembling a black eye. They begin flowering within 6 to 8 weeks when you grow them from seed.
Just sow seeds indoors 6 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. Also, provide a trellis or support, and ensure the plant receives full sun to partial shade for best health. Here’s what to do afterwards! Remember, regular watering and well-drained soil are key to healthy growth.
2. Morning Glory
Botanical Name: Ipomoea purpurea
Morning Glory is famous for its rapid growth and stunning, trumpet-shaped flowers that open in the morning sun. They bloom within 6 to 8 weeks and can reach heights of 10 to 15 feet in a single season.
You can plant the seeds directly outdoors after the last frost. Just ensure that you soak them overnight to improve germination and give them full sun and well-drained soil. Morning Glories are perfect for covering fences, trellises, or arbors. Plus, their blooms attract pollinators.
3. Cypress Vine
Botanical Name: Ipomoea quamoclit
The Cypress Vine is an excellent choice for delicate, fern-like foliage paired with star-shaped flowers. This annual vine blooms with red, pink, or white flowers in around 6 weeks. And the best part? It can reach up to 15-20 feet in a single season.
You should sow the seeds directly in the garden after the last frost and ensure that you provide full sun and well-drained soil. Cypress Vines attract hummingbirds and butterflies, making them a lively addition to any garden space. Make sure you water them regularly, and they’ll keep giving you blooms!
4. Cardinal Climber
Botanical Name: Ipomoea multifida
Here is a hybrid between the Cypress Vine and Red Morning Glory called the Cardinal Climber. It combines the best traits of both parents and has deeply lobed leaves and bright red, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds.
Plant seeds outdoors after the last frost in full sun and well-drained soil, and provide sturdy support for climbing. Careful and regular watering will promote vigorous growth and blooming.
5. Nasturtium
Botanical Name: Tropaeolum majus
Nasturtiums are versatile annual vines known for their edible flowers and round leaves. You can see them bloom approximately 8 weeks after sowing, so there’s not much waiting. They can trail or climb up to 10 feet, depending on the variety.
For the best results, sow the seeds directly in the garden in full sun to partial shade. These plants prefer poor to average, well-drained soil, which makes it easy to grow them. Nasturtiums also come with tons of benefits!
6. Cup and Saucer Vine
Botanical Name: Cobaea scandens
Their name comes from the unique bell-shaped flowers that resemble a cup and saucer. When you start this vine from seed indoors, it will enchant you with the amazing blooms within 8 to 12 weeks after transplanting. They are aggressive growers and can reach up to 20 feet in a single season.
Remember to transplant these plants outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. Also, ensure that you give them full sun and well-drained soil. The Cup and Saucer Vine is perfect for your arbors or pergolas, where its distinctive blooms attract pollinators.
7. Passionflower
Botanical Name: Passiflora gibertii
Passionflower vines are loved for their gorgeous flowers and edible fruits. These are often grown from cuttings or established plants, and can begin flowering within a few weeks. You should plant them in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil and provide a trellis or fence for support.
These plants will thrive if you occasionally prune them, which is particularly beneficial for blooming. Here are the best varieties you can go with!
Note: Passionflower from seed takes much longer to flower; “a few weeks” only applies to cuttings or mature plants.
8. Mandevilla
Botanical Name: Mandevilla spp.
These tropical vines are known for their large, trumpet-shaped flowers in pink, red, and white shades. When planted from transplants in nurseries, they can begin blooming within 8-12 weeks and reach up to 10 feet in a single season.
Mandevilla grows best with continuous blooms if you feed it with a balanced fertilizer frequently. And don’t forget to give them a sunny spot! Or a super cool trellis like this!
If you’re short on time, these quick-flowering vines can help transform your space quickly. Pick your favorites, give them the right care, and enjoy a garden full of lovely hues within weeks!
