Flower Focus: Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis & Cynoglossum)
Botanically known as Myosotis, the true Forget-Me-Not is a cold-hardy, biennial (or short-lived perennial) bedding plant. It’s annual counterpart, and the one generally used in floral design, is the Chinese Forget-Me-Not (Cynoglossum amabile).
They are both dainty flowering plants, more commonly blue, but they are also available in pink and white shades. For many, it conjures up nostalgic childhood memories and images of cottage gardens. While these two plants look very similar, they have different growing conditions and different uses. I grow them both, one in the cutting garden, the other in the landscape.
In the language of flowers, Forget-Me-Not’s mean is hope and true love.
The Biennial Forget-Me-Not is easy to start from seed and self-sows prolifically. In fact, in many midwestern states it is considered an invasive. Native to Europe and western Asia, it has naturalized in the United States.
They belong to the borage plant family (Boraginaceae) and there are various varieties, the two most noted being the woodland Forget-Me-Not (M.sylvatica) and the water Forget-Me-Not (M.scorpioides). They are spring-flowering and typically grow up to 12” tall in plant zones 5 to 9. Although they can be grown in full sun or part shade; I find they grow best in dappled and afternoon shade. They are deer resistant and grow best in moist soil.
They can be directly sown in the fall and can take up to a year to begin blooming in mass. In my landscape, I plant them as a ground cover under deciduous trees, such as maple trees, as well as underplanted beneath bulbs. I find that they add a natural and ephemeral aesthetic, and a beautiful blue pop of color.
The Annual – Chinese Forget-Me-Not is typically grown as a cold-hardy annual and grows up to 2 feet tall. It blooms later than the Myosotis, beginning in June through September in plant zones 6 to 9.
I do two plantings of Chinese Forget-Me-Nots. I direct sow into a dedicated bed in the fall and cover with leaves for winter protection. The second planting I do indoors in soil blocks, 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost and then plant out into beds as soon as the ground is workable. Because these plants wilt in heat, it is best to harvest early in the day and when about half of the florets are open. Let them sit in cool water for a while before arranging with them.
I like to use these sweet blue flowers in boutonnieres and corsages, and as soft, blue accents in bridal bouquets. Given its sentiment of true love, it is a fitting and meaningful flower to use for weddings.
