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

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

• Bypass Pruners
• Compost Makers
• Fertilizers
• Plants
• Seeds
• Watering Cans

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. 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. 

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

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. 

   Keep evenly moist, not allowing to dry out.

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

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.