If you've left it too late to try to grow your own challenging plants this year, why not try your hand at some fast growing seeds, which will allow you to enjoy a blooming backyard in next to no time?

To set you on your way, the experts at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk have looked into the plants and flowers that grow the quickest, so you can still experience the joys of a thriving backyard.

Some of the fastest growing flowers include petunias, poppies and sunflowers, which will take only a fraction of the time to germinate and bloom in comparison to some of the more challenging plants.

A spokesperson said: "If you’re a new gardener or you simply can’t find the time to spend hours pruning and preening your backyard, finding flower seeds that grow quickly is essential."

"Although, it’s important to remember that getting the seeds is only half the job – planting them correctly and making sure they’re well cared for is also imperative, so make sure you read the back of the seed packet to see what each individual plant needs to thrive."

1 Cornflowers

Bees are fans of the flowers that rise on cornflowers' straight stems during the early summer. The plant has the advantage of being unfazed by changeable spring weather, while the petals of the fast-growing plant are edible.

2 Nigella

Also called Love-in-a-Mist, the determined Nigella grows steadily in cool spring weather, starting to bloom in early summer.

3 Petunias

These pest resistant plants provide your garden with endless colour but are also a lovely plant to have simply due to their fragrance.

4 Poppies

Did you know the fastest growing poppies (California poppies) can grow from seed to bloom within 60 days? The poppies thrive in full sun and once they have become established, the quick-blooming flowers are able to provide bees and other pollinators with protein-rich pollen in early summer, at a time when little else will be in bloom.

5 Sunflowers

You may be surprised to hear the sunflower is a surprisingly cold-hardy plant. In fact, the seedlings will often survive spring frosts, and you can see the earliest blossoms march to maturity, rather than waiting for late summer. The showy blooms can grow up to six feet or more in only three months and are guaranteed to look great in flower beds or along the border.

6 Sweet pea

With a stunning fragrance, sweet peas have ruffled blossoms and slender tendrils. Liking the cool, you should avoid leaving it in the sun constantly. Another idea is to soak the seeds for several days prior to planting.

7 Marigolds

The classic flower has bright blossoms of yellow, orange and mahogany, and will often show themselves within eight weeks of sowing. For the best results, you can plant them in full sun and in well-drained soil.