January 24, 2026, 3:33 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
“Grass doesn’t grow faster if you pull it,” as the saying goes. Not only grass, but also many plants in the garden take a while to develop their full splendor. But some plants do grow faster. Five garden plants that grow comparatively quickly and enrich the garden in a variety of ways for humans and animals.
Sometimes things have to move a little faster. This is particularly the case when plants are to be used as privacy screens from prying eyes or when gardens are newly laid out. In such cases, fast-growing garden plants are ideal for greening the garden in the foreseeable future. In order to positively influence the growth rate, it is also worth keeping a close eye on the optimal composition of the soil, the right location, and an ideal supply of water and nutrients.
1. Black Elder
The black elder is a true giant among fast-growing garden plants. This versatile plant grows up to 70 centimetres a year. Whether in the form of a broad shrub, spherical, or even a short-stemmed tree, black elderberry(Sambucus nigra) is a rewarding border plant that not only shields you from prying eyes. Its white cones can also be harvested from June to July and processed into elderflower syrup. However, if you leave them on the shrub, hobby gardeners can harvest the tasty elderberries, the fruit of the elder tree or shrub, in the fall.
2. Cherry Laurel
Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is a fast-growing garden plant that is particularly popular for hedge planting. The imposing, year-round green cherry laurel grows up to 60 centimetres a year. It is not only its smooth, glossy leaves that are impressive. The cherry laurel’s white flowers, which are reminiscent of candles, bloom from May to June. This plant is also extremely undemanding when it comes to care. It thrives in both sunny and shady locations. Fresh, moist soil is ideal for this garden plant to grow quickly.
3. Butterfly Bush
Summer lilacs (Buddleja davidii) are also fast-growing garden plants. Also known as a butterfly bush, it grows up to 30 centimetres per year. Incidentally, it does not bear this name by chance. Its purple panicles, which flower from July until frost, attract butterflies like a magnet. Many varieties of this sprawling Butterfly Bush exude a wonderful fragrance.
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4. Forsythia
Forsythia (Forsythia × intermedia) heralds the arrival of spring with its small yellow flowers. It is considered quite undemanding, but blooms particularly profusely in sunny locations. Young plants in particular grow very quickly. Shrubs up to three meters high are not uncommon. The plant, also known as the golden bell, is also very robust. Diseases and pests are virtually non-existent in forsythia.
5. Chinese Wisteria
Chinese blue rain (Wisteria sinensis) adds a touch of elegance to any garden in spring. The flowers, up to 30 centimetres long, are reminiscent of grapes. The climbing plant prefers to climb up trellises or walls. However, a climbing aid is not absolutely necessary. This impressive and fast-growing garden plant can grow up to ten meters high.