How To

How to Grow Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis Sylvatica)

By eHow Home & Garden Editor
How to Grow Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis Sylvatica)
Rate: (54 Ratings)

Grow a few of these in a lightly wooded area and you're likely to have a mist of beautiful blue flowers each spring. Although this annual also comes in pink and white, it's the sky blue that's most memorable.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Check out local nurseries for seedlings, the easiest way to plant forget-me-nots. If your nursery doesn't have them, try starting them from seed.

  2. Step 2

    Start from seed indoors 8 to 10 weeks before planting outdoors in early spring. Or scatter seeds directly on bare, prepared ground in early spring when a light frost is still possible. In winters where temperatures seldom dip below 10 degrees, sow in early autumn.

  3. Step 3

    Prepare the soil by working in a few spadesful of compost. Forget-me-nots like rich soil with plenty of organic matter.

  4. Step 4

    Plant seedlings a few inches apart. Don't worry about getting the plants too close together since forget-me-nots don't mind crowding.

  5. Step 5

    Keep evenly moist, not allowing to dry out.

  6. Step 6

    Prevent reseeding and encourage longer bloom time of existing plants by trimming spent blooms.

  7. Step 7

    Pull up and discard plants in late summer once plants have begun to whither.

Tips & Warnings
  • A ready self-seeder, this annual spreads happily over the years in lightly shaded areas, acting like a perennial and creating a carefree wildflower effect.
  • Forget-me-not does especially well under trees or large shrubs but also thrives in lightly shaded rock gardens and flower beds.
  • To encourage reseeding, leave spent flowers on the plants well after they've faded.
  • In very early spring, while weeding, take care not to dig up tiny forget-me-not seedlings.

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Have you done this? Click here to let us know.

I Did This

Related Ads

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

eHow Home and Garden
eHow_eHow Home and Garden