Martha Stewart's top 5 fast-growing flowers for a stunning June garden
If your garden is looking a bit drab this summer, don't worry. There's still time to plant some flowers and enjoy their stunning colours and shapes throughout the warmer months.
There are so many varieties to choose from, whether you're planting from seed or buying your blooms direct from a garden centre. And according to lifestyle guru Martha Stewart, there are certain types that instantly elevate your garden to new, more beautiful heights. Her website has recommended five of these that are great for planting during the month of June.
Zinnia
These flowers have distinct ruffled petals and come in a huge range of colours, making them perfect for adding to your garden this summer. They're also quick-growing, according to the experts.
The more you cut them, the more they bloom - so if you like to craft your own unique bouquets then these are the flowers for you. The UK's Royal Horticultural Society suggests they are best grown on sheltered, warm, free-draining sites, and they flower through the summer into early fall, reports the Express.
Sunflowers
These iconic flowers can in fact be grown in the UK. However, if you want them in your garden fast, then you're better buying the plant direct from a garden centre. Once they're planted, they're easy to maintain. They require around six to eight hours of sunlight a day, and to help them grow extra tall, you can support them with canes or sticks.
Nasturtium
If you're going for a sunset vibe in your garden, then it's worth growing nasturtiums. These bell-shaped flowers come in gorgeous orange, red and pink hues, and they're fast-growing too. They can also help to ward off pests from your garden, making them excellent for companion planting.
Cosmos
Cosmos love the sun, so now is a perfect time to introduce them to your garden. The experts at BBC Gardeners' World say they are perfect for borders, and they have 'masses of feathery foliage', as well as blooming all the way into autumn. Not only do gardeners adore them, but pollinators do as well, so they're ideal if you want to attract bees to your outdoor space.
Tickseed
Finally, the vibrant tickseed flower should be on your summer planting list. Many varieties are known for being fast-growing and low-maintenance. The experts suggest they prefer fertile, well-drained soil in partial shade but preferably in full sun.
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