Forget-Me-Not

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Common Name

Forget-Me-Not

Scientific Name

Myosotis alpestris

Plant Category

Perennial, biennial

Location

Europe, Asia

Height

6-24 inches

Width

¼-1 inch

Blooming Season

Late spring to early fall

Plant Habit

Clump-forming

Color

Blue, white or pink

Sun

Partial shade

Soil

Medium moist soil

Water

Moderate

Plant Characteristics

Fragrant flowers. Pollinated by bees and flies. Have certain medicinal properties.

Usage

Used in ground covers or planted in large masses. Also used in borders or grown as garden pots.

Information

Forget-me-not flowers are the state flowers for Alaska and they belong to the Boraginaceae family. There are about 50 species in the genus, and are popular in gardens. The flowers can be seen in rocky mountainous areas, woods, and humid fields with altitudes of 700-2800 m. The cultivated forms often show a mixture of colors. The forget-me-not flowers have five connected salviform petals that are a quarter to a third of an inch wide. The flowers have a white inner ring and a yellow center. Forget-me-nots produce bright, clear blue flowers. They are very fragrant in the evening and night time, though there is little or no scent in the daytime. The plants have astringent and ophthalmic properties and can be used as a lotion. They are also an excellent remedy for many eye diseases.

Growing Tips

Forget-me-nots are easy to grow. Perennial forget-me-nots can be propagated by separating clumps of established plants. Directly seed forget-me-nots into flower gardens after making sure there is no risk of frost. Or, for earlier blooms, start them indoors a few weeks before the last frost in the area. Cover lightly with garden soil and Space them 4-5 inches apart and thin seedlings to 10 inches apart. They will bloom profusely in shady areas and do not require a lot of attention. They prefer shade, but will do well in sun, too. They grow well in average soils but the soil should be kept moist. A general purpose fertilizer should be added once or twice a season. They may need mulching for winter protection in northern areas, or grow them as a biennial.

Common Problems

Insects and disease are not too common. If problems arise, treat early with insecticides or fungicides as appropriate.