Want a garden that looks established very quickly?

You can either buy advanced plants or grow fast growing plants.

In a temperate climate most trees and shrubs will take at least a few years from planting to fill out and make a garden look established.

In a tropical climate this can be a lot faster, but with the right plant choices, in any climate, a garden can look established in perhaps a third of the time.

WHAT AFFECTS GROWTH RATE?
Climate, soil, water, nutrition, even pests/diseases will affect a plants growth rate. To encourage optimum growth, all plants (even naturally fast-growing plants) benefit from extra care. For most plants this means:

“ planting in a sheltered position, away from wind and frost

“ planting in well-drained soil that has been enriched with organic matter

“ giving adequate water and fertiliser

“ mulching to keep the soil moist and to prevent competition from weeds

“ controlling pests and diseases

“ regular deadheading (removing dead flowers before they set seed)

Some plants grow like a rocket in one location, but are very slow in another, so you need to match the variety to the location. Plant variety is also very important in determining growth rate. Tall herbaceous perennials grow faster

Timing can be important¦plant out in spring when the air and soil temperatures are warming up rather than late autumn if you want the fastest growth. In many areas during spring, the soil is still moist after the winter rains and this also helps the roots to quickly establish in the soil.

Cutting the plant back after flowering helps promote new vigorous growth. Prune the plant back by around 1/3, and remove any old, diseased or unproductive wood. Also remove the flowers regularly as these use up the plants energy as they develop into seeds. This is known as œdeadheading.

Some Fast-growing Plants

(Note: speed of growth may vary according to the climate, water & soil conditions)

Trees and Tall Shrubs
Acacia spp. (most wattles)
Angels Trumpet (Brugsmania suaveolens)
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
Cassia
Casuarina
Eucalypts
Paulownia
Tree Dahlia
Salix (Willows)
Populus (Poplars)
Virgilia

Shrubs
Acalypha
Abutilon
Cistus
Euphorbia
Geraniums & Pelargoniums
Diosma

Groundcovers
Lamium
Nasturtium
Scaevola Mauve Clusters
Ivy

Climbers
Bougainvillea
Hardenbergia
Lonicera (Honeysuckle)
Passionfruit
Potato Vine
Wisteria

Plants that grow hard and fast “ and die young

Before you plant a fast-growing tree, check its life span.

Some fast growers may grow rapidly but may only live for 5 years (maybe even less). While theyre great for short-term screens or windbreaks, they wont last long “ usually because they have shallow roots and brittle stems which are easily blown over or damaged in storms, or because they are decimated by borers or other insects.

A dying or dead tree can be dangerous, difficult and expensive to remove, so think twice about whether its the right plant for your position.

Colourful, Tall and Fast

Herbaceous plants that can grow over 1 m tall in a matter of months. eg. Sunflower, Dahlia, Russell Lupins. The only drawback is that some only last for one season, while others die down during winter.

GROW A FAST CLIMBER ON A TRELLIS for fast height and a quick mass of green. Fast growing climbers include Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Potato Vine.