Myosotis sylvatica
Like tiny pieces of bright blue sky drop into your garden , leave - me - nots are one of the few true - spicy flowers available to gardeners .
These plants are engross in chronicle and symbolism , and are easy beauties to grow .
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M. asiatica.
So go ahead , contrive some of your very own !
Just read this clause first to learn everything you need to bonk before you get begin .
What You’ll Learn
Quick Look
How to Grow
cultivar to Select
M. asiatica.
Maintenance
extension
Pests and Disease
Best Uses
The genus nameMyosotismeans “ black eye auricle , ” make after the rounded shape of these plants ’ fuzzy leave-taking .
There are about 100 species in the genus , and the legal age of these are bang commonly as draw a blank - me - not or scorpion supergrass .
find typically in temperate region , some species occur in alpine areas .
Common name(s):Forget - me - nots , scorpion grass
Plant type : Herbaceous flowering biennial
Hardiness ( USDA Zone):3 - 8
Native to : Eurasia
Bloom clock time : Spring to summertime
Exposure : Full Sunday to part shade
Soil type : flaxen , loamy , clay , well draining
grease pH:6.0 - 8.0 , slightly acidic to slenderly alkaline
Spacing : 4 - 6 inches
Planting depth : stain surface ( seeds ) , depth of radical ball ( transplants )
Mature size:6 - 9 inches all-inclusive x 6 - 12 inches high
Water Needs : Medium
Taxonomy
parliamentary law : Apiales
family unit : Boraginaceae
Genus : Myosotis
mintage : Sylvatica
cultivar : Various
Most species are native to western Eurasia and New Zealand , while only ten species are detect growing godforsaken in North America , South America , Africa , New Guinea , and Australia .
Although this plant had already been a favorite of French and German gardeners for centuries , it only became democratic in British garden in the 1800s .
Of the 100 species , there are three that are most commonly maturate as garden plants .
Myosotis sylvatica , also send for woodland forget - me - not , is a two-year indigene to Europe and division of South Asia including Bhutan , India and Nepal .
It ’s a short - lived yearly but is usually grown as a biennial . Meaning it is plant the first class and flower in the 2nd year and then dies . However , it readily reseeds itself giving the appearance of a perennial and allowing you to enjoy the flowers yr after year .
Woodland bury - me - nots grows in woodlands , forests , and rough berth . This species is the most widely cultivated mixed bag and it is the main focussing of this guide , but some other metal money have standardized acquire requirements .
prostrate to crowding out other aboriginal plant , this can become an return when it escapes cultivation in non - aboriginal arena including North America and Australia .
Along withM. scorpioides , make out as true or water forget - me - not , it is considered aninvasive and noxious weed in some midwestern DoS .
Another famed metal money come about to be the DoS flower of Alaska .
M. asiatica , also known as alpine forget - me - not , is a myopic lived , summer - blossom biennial native to the northwestern state and provinces of the US and Canada .
It is a beautiful stone garden flora and can be an fantabulous alternative if the other two coinage described above are think invasive in your surface area .
leave - me - not bloom carry a lot of meaning , often pertaining to their sentimental name .
allot to caption , a overwhelm horse tossed a redolence of the blue bloom to his lover standing on the bank , with the cry “ leave me not ! ” and the name was born .
Since then , the efflorescence have become a symbolic representation of remembrance .
leave - me - nots are delightfully charming plants that thrive with minimal tizzy , provided you give them the right get condition . These dainty blooms might look delicate , but they ’re surprisingly live
Here ’s how to develop them successfully :
Light
Forget - me - nots prefer fond shade to full sun , but the best inflorescence typically occurs in locations with sink in light or aurora sun followed by afternoon wraith .
In cool climates , they can do by more unmediated sun , but in raging regions , ensure to give them some shelter from the intense good afternoon rays to keep wilting or folio scorch .
Soil
Woodland blank out - me - not does well in a variety of soils , include sandy , loamy , or clay types .
provide it is a well drain spot and you keep the territory moist , it can tolerate a broad pH range , from mildly acidic to mildly alkaline ( 6.0 - 8.0 ) .
If your dirt is heavy clay or excessively sandlike , amend it with compost to better texture and nutritious content .
Temperature and Humidity
block - me - nots are unfearing in USDA Zones 3 to 8 , depending on the mintage . They favour cool atmospheric condition and may struggle in prolonged heat .
These plants do especially well in areas with gamy humidness and moist grunge condition , especially in the spring and early summer when they naturally bloom .
If you inhabit in a hot and ironical climate , consider planting them in a louche , moisture - retentive part of your garden .
Water
Consistent moisture is primal to celebrate forget - me - nots happy . The soil should remain evenly moist , like a well - wrung - out sponge .
debar letting the soil dry out out completely , especially when the plants are in bloom . At the same prison term , stand water or torpid conditions can pass to root rot .
A layer of mulch around the substructure of the plant can aid hold back ground moisture and determine temperature .
These flowers can tolerate drought but will go sleeping in the hottest part of the summer once seed has been set .
Fertilizer
Forget - me - nots generally do n’t require heavy alimentation . If your soil is rich in constitutional affair , they ’ll get most of what they want from there .
If you have less than idealistic dirt conditions , fertilize your plant life once a month in the spring and summer , especially if the leave are yellow .
utilise a fertilizer with a 5 - 10 - 10 NPK ratio or similar , and put on according to parcel charge .
Container Growing
blank out - me - nots make lovely container plants , particularly as a trailing or border option in motley agreement .
Use well drain soil in a container with good drain , and keep an even closer eye on soil moisture when pot versus when planted in the flat coat as container dry out out quickly !
fertilise as you would in the ground and allow the flora to have some shade during the twenty-four hours .
believe forget - me - not and , if you ’re like me , you in all probability think of brilliant blue flowers .
You ’re right , the bloom ofM. sylvaticaare typically change shade of bright , true blue . However , there are some pink and white cultivars available as well !
Rose Forget - Me - Not
Eden Brothers Nursery offers packets ofrose , indigo , white , ordwarf ultramarineM. sylvaticaseeds that will make a adorable addition to the garden .
Or , if you ca n’t decide which colour to choose , try pink , dreary , and white all together in a mixed collecting that ’s available in a small packet or in bulkat Eden Brothers .
Bluesylva
Part of the Sylva series,‘Bluesylva ’ hasbright blue flowers with a yellow oculus and is a low spread biennial cultivar with spring and other summer beauty .
Snowsylva
blossom with loads of bright snowy , yellow - eyed flowers in early spring to former summer , this garden favorite is also a part of the popular Sylva series .
Victoria Blue
Just in case you need another classic , sky - mirroring forget - me - not cultivar,‘Victoria Blue ’ featurespetite , daze heyday on a compact plant .
‘ Victoria Blue ’
‘ Victoria Blue ’ is available in 250 - mg germ packetsat Botanical Interests .
Victoria Pink
Compact and sport lots of small pink flowers with white centers , ‘ Victoria Pink ’ is an other spring bloomer .
‘ Victoria Pink ’
cum in 250 - mg packets areavailable from Botanical Interests .
Though these plants require no pruning in the common sense , a little annual garden upkeep is postulate if you want to curb their spread .
To keep forget - me - nots from self - seeding in places where you might not want them to sprout next class , be indisputable to deadheadbefore the salad days go to seed .
voluntary may be graft to other places in the garden as well .
erstwhile plants that exist beyond the second yr as perennial can be divided to keep them healthy , ensuring that they have tidy sum of room to diffuse .
Myositisplants are comparatively easygoing to propagate , whether via come or by division .
Most garden bury - me - nots will be two-year , growing from seeds dissipate in late summertime and fall , flowering and diffuse seed the following class , and dying afterwards .
But because theyself - seed promptly , it ’s easy to keep your blossom patch up go .
From Seed
M. sylvaticasets seed in the heat of the summer and will self seed readily , which means they will persist for age in your garden if you do n’t deadhead after they flower . The seeds are dispersed further by animal and water .
you may collect seeds from your works before they are open course , or leverage seeds at your local nursery or online .
Direct sow in the seminal fluid in your garden in midsummer . To prepare the soil , scan to loosen it and smooth out the surface , then water system lightly .
Broadcast the seminal fluid on the surface of the stain , or sow singly four inch apart . seedling will seem in the decline and industrial plant will bloom the following bounce .
or else , you maystart sow indoorseight to ten weeks before the last hoar in small great deal fill up with moistened soilless average .
Here ’s how :
flora transfer in the fountain should bloom that same twelvemonth , and those constitute in the crepuscule will produce heyday the next outflow .
By Division
Although most works will only live as biennial , some may survive a bit longer as short - lived perennials , depending on the miscellanea and growing conditions .
Divide surviving draw a blank - me - nots every three to five years in the leap after unfolding , or in the early fall . cautiously get the picture up the root bollock and divide it by get out the root aside by hired man .
Replant the sectionalisation as outlined below .
Transplanting
If you bought potted plant from a nursery , set up them out in the spring or fall as you would with your own plants grown from cum .
Make certain you choose a stain that is well draining and moist . H2O pot flora well before transplanting .
Dig a fix slightly great than the size of the etymon ball or pot , undo the land in the bottom of the fix , insert the base ball , and backfill . Make indisputable the grime is n’t piled too high or match the base of the stem .
Water in after embed .
There are n’t very many pests that feign blank out - me - not , but there are several disease to keep an eye out for and try on to prevent .
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mold often appears when air circulation is inadequate or humidity is high . It start as a white , powdery coating on the leaves and can circularize quickly if not addressed .
Removing stirred foliage and using fungicidal atomiser as needed can keep it in check .
Rust
Rust may also show up , particularly in moist environs . It appears as small orange , yellow , or brown pustules on the undersides of leaves .
Infected leaves should be pruned and destroyed , and watering should be done at the soil level to avoid splashing spores onto healthy leafage .
Crown Rot
Crown rot is a more serious business organisation , in particular in overly wet soil . stimulate by soilborne fungus , this disease results in hokey , discolored pate and a oecumenical flop of the flora
Once symptoms come out , there ’s little that can be done . Prevention is key — ensure well - debilitate ground and avoid watering straightaway at the fundament of the flora .
Staying forward of these issues with regular inspection and prompt activeness can help your bury - me - nots thrive all season long .
Imagine a border of blue encircling or underplanting a bed of tulip , roses , or shrubs , or an total layer of forget - me - nots dazzling the bee , butterflies , and humans that visit .
Forget - me - nots seem mythic and do well planted on slopes and bank as a background cover version , and they are just as happy in the garden as they are growing in a container on the patio
Unforgettable
This sky blue flowering plant has been a cherished garden pet for 100 , with good intellect .
Easy to grow , and able to reseed itself yr after twelvemonth , the unusual shining blue heyday are an eye - catching joy .
cultivar in pink , snowy , and other shade are beautiful as well . And , thanks to the ill - fated knight who gave this plant its unforgettable name ( allegedly ! ) , the blank out - me - not remain a symbol of remembrance worldwide .
Love forget - me - nots ? There are many beautiful plant in the Boraginaceae phratry , and many are supporter at attracting pollinators . My favorite : borageitself . dearest bees love it !
And to learn flowersin your garden , tally out these template next :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . in the first place publish April 25th , 2021 . Last update April 25th , 2025 . Product picture via Botanical Interests and Eden Brothers . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock . With extra writing and editing by Allison Sidhu .
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Sylvia Dekker
