Methods for Cultivating Forget-Me-Not Bloomers
Wanna Grow Forget-Me-Nots? Here's The Tea on These Mesmerizing Spring Blooms 🌺
Forget-me-nots, scientifically known as myosotis, are the humble yet enchanting spring flowers that pop up in clusters of sky-blue hues along garden borders and path edges. They come in various forms, ranging from annuals, biennials, and short-lived perennials, but the most popular variety, Myosotis sylvatica, is usually propagated as a biennial. Flourishing in a sun-soaked or semi-shaded spot, forget-me-nots are perfect companions for taller spring blooms like tulips and wallflowers. You can also naturalize them for wilder-style plantings or grow them in window boxes or containers. Need some guidance on how to cultivate these unique flowers? David Hurrion's got the lowdown in the video above 📹
Some captivating tales surround the origin of forget-me-nots' name. Since the Middle Ages, these blossoms have symbolized eternal love, with the lore stating that if you wear one, your beloved will never forget you. AnotherEnglish legend tells the story of a young knight gifting his lover flowers as he fell into a river, pleading, "forget-me-not."
Cultivating Your Own Forget-Me-Nots
Forget-me-nots are a breeze to cultivate from seeds, which can be sown directly into the soil between May and June or started indoors in late May, June, and September. They prefer well-draining soil in sun or partial shade. You can plant them alongside tulips or other shade-tolerant species like hostas. Let them self-seed or harvest seeds in summer to ensure yearly blooms.
Growing Forget-Me-Nots from Seeds
Sow forget-me-not seeds directly outdoors in May or June, or start them indoors in late May, June, or September. If starting indoors, sprinkle seeds, cover them with a thin layer of compost, and use a heated propagator or place them in a warm window sill to foster germination. Once seedlings develop enough to handle, transplant them into individual pots. They'll bloom the following year.
Planting Your Forget-Me-Nots
Forget-me-nots can be grown from seeds or purchased as plug plants or pre-grown plants.
- Plug Plants: Pot them up upon arrival and keep them in a protected area until they're big enough to plant outdoors and the risk of frost has passed. Gradually acclimate them to outdoor conditions by exposing them during the day for about a week and bringing them in at night. Plant them in pots or borders in sun or partial shade. Water them diligently until they're well-established.
- Pre-Grown Plants: These can be planted outdoors straight away. Plant them with their root balls level with the surrounding soil and water them well.
Breeding Forget-Me-Nots
Forget-me-nots will self-seed readily, or you can lift new seedlings and transplant them to your preferred locations.
Maintaining Your Forget-Me-Nots
Most forget-me-not varieties are biennial, and they self-seed freely. To control their spread, dig up the plants before they set seed if you don't want them to expand too rapidly.
Forget-me-nots require minimal care. They don't need feeding, but they appreciate well-watered soil (not soggy!). If they're container-bound, water them frequently, especially during hot weather. Prune back plants once they've bloomed to prevent excessive self-seeding or remove them completely if you prefer to limit the seedlings.
Battling Pests and Diseases
Though there are no pests that specifically target myosotis, their foliage can be susceptible to powdery mildew or downy mildew post-flowering.
Smart Shopping for Forget-Me-Nots
- Seeds: Choose between seeds or plug plants, with some nurseries and garden centers offering packs of seedlings for spring planting.
- Quality Control: Always check over plants for signs of pests, diseases, or damage prior to planting.
Shop Forget-Me-Nots Online
- Crocus
- Suttons
- Thompson & Morgan
Forget-Me-Not Varieties to Test Out
- Myosotis sylvatica: The classic forget-me-not produces blue flowers in late spring; a biennial, it will self-seed and produce flowers most years.
- Myosotis arvensis: The Field Forget-me-Not is an annual forget-me-not with blue and sometimes pink blossoms that may bloom until autumn. Rosettes of leaves sometimes survive the winter.
- Myosotis Blue Ball: This cultivar grows in neat, low mounds (15cm tall) with blue flowers appearing in spring and early summer.
- Myosotis 'Bluesylva': A low, spreading biennial cultivar. Its blue flowers feature a yellow center that fades to white.
- Myosotis Victoria: With pink, blue, and white flowers, this variety offers a long flowering period.
- Myosotis scorpioides: The water forget-me-not is an essential perennial for wildlife ponds, improving water quality and providing shelter for aquatic creatures like tadpoles and newts.
FAQs
Will forget-me-nots come back every year?
Though Myosotis sylvatica is a short-lived perennial, it's usually grown as a biennial and self-seeds reliably, ensuring annual blooms.
Are forget-me-nots invasive in the UK?
Forget-me-nots aren't classified as invasive species in the UK, but if you have a knack for gardening, you'll want to manage them to avoid excessive growth. To contain their spread:
- Deadhead the flowers regularly.
- Mulch the soil around the plants to prevent seed germination.
- Use physical barriers like landscape fabric or weed barriers around the designated planting area.
- Plant competitive species to curb their growth.
- Regularly inspect the garden for seeds and remove any seedlings.
- Dispose of seeds responsibly, cleaning gardening tools and pets.
- Consider alternative, non-invasive plant options.
By following these strategies, you can enjoy forget-me-nots while keeping their spread under control in your garden.
Initiate your home-and-garden lifestyle by cultivating the mesmerizing spring blooms, forget-me-nots, in your desired growing location, whether it's in a sun-soaked border, a shaded nook, a window box, or a container. Engage in gardening by sowing forget-me-not seeds directly into the soil at the appropriate time or start them indoors for subsequent transplanting.
