Forget-me-not (botanical name: myosotis) is a humble but glorious spring flower which appears in frothy blue clouds at the front of borders and at the edges of paths. There are annual, biennial and short-lived perennial forget-me-nots, but the most commonly grown variety, Myosotis sylvatica, is a short-lived perennial usually grown as a biennial. It complements other spring flowers, making a great backdrop for taller tulips or wallflowers, and naturalises easily for wilder-style plantings. It can also look great in a window box or container.
Several stories are attributed to how forget-me-nots got their name. They have been a symbol of love since the Middle Ages, and supposedly, if you wore one, you would not be forgotten by your loved one. There is also a German legend where a young knight is gathering flowers for his beloved on a river bank but falls in. As he is swept away, he throws the flowers to her and calls out, ‘Forget me not’.
With their delicate clusters of tiny sky-blue flowers, early forget-me-nots (Myosotis ramosissima) create a beautiful hazy effect in dry fields and grasslands in spring. But what do these charming wildflowers look like before they bloom? Get acquainted with how to recognize early forget-me-nots by their distinctive leaves and growth habit.
Basal Rosette Leaves
Early in the growing season, forget-me-not plants form a basal rosette of leaves close to the ground. These leaves are stalked, with the petiole (leaf stalk) attaching near the middle of the underside of the leaf blade
The leaf blades are elongated and oval (ellipsoidal) in shape. They range from 1-5 cm long and 0.5-1.5 cm wide.
Young seedlings produce leaves that are nearly round, As the plant matures the leaves become more elongated,
The basal rosette persists through the winter and into early spring. But it usually withers away by the time the flowers begin to open. So mature flowering plants may lack the basal leaves.
Stem Leaves
As flowering stems grow, they produce alternating leaves along their length. The stem leaves are smaller, narrower, and stalkless compared to the basal leaves.
The upper stem leaves are oblong in shape, tapering to a point at the tip. They range from 1-3 cm long and 0.2-0.7 cm wide.
These leaves attach directly to the hairy flowering stems, lacking any petiole. They clasp the stem at their base.
Plants produce multiple branching flowering stems. The small stem leaves continue to alternate up each branching stem.
Hairy Foliage
A key identifying trait of early forget-me-nots are the hairs covering both leaves and stems. These hairs impart a soft, fuzzy texture.
Two types of hairs grow on the foliage:
- Sparse, stiff, bristly hairs that stick straight out perpendicular to the surface
- Dense, finer hairs that lay flat against the surface
The hairs are most prominent on the underside of leaves and give them a grayish-green hue.
Growth Habit
Early forget-me-nots grow low to the ground, reaching just 10–25 cm tall at maturity.
Plants emerge from a taproot and produce multiple branching stems from the base. This gives them a spreading, mounded shape.
The slender, weak stems sprawl outwards along the ground unless supported by surrounding vegetation.
Use Leaves for Identification
When identifying early forget-me-nots before flowering, the leaves provide reliable clues:
- Basal rosette of stalked, elliptical leaves
- Smaller oblong stem leaves that clasp the hairy stems
- Densely hairy foliage with bristly and appressed hairs
- Low, spreading growth habit
Getting to know the distinct leaves and growth form of early forget-me-nots will help you recognize these plants even when they aren’t in bloom. Watch for their fuzzy foliage carpeting dry fields and rocky areas in spring.
Key Facts on Early Forget-Me-Not Leaves:
- Alternate along hairy, branching stems
- Basal leaves are 1-5 cm long, elliptical with petioles
- Stem leaves are 1-3 cm long, narrow oblong, stalkless
- Undersides densely covered in bristly and appressed hairs
- Impart soft, gray-green fuzzy texture
- Rosettes wither by flowering time
- Plants are low growing, forming prostrate patches
With their misty blue flowers and fuzzy foliage, early forget-me-nots create delightful spring carpets in dry grassy areas. Get acquainted with their identifying leaf traits to recognize these charming wildflowers.
Distinguishing Features of Forget-Me-Not
Forget-me-not flowers are diminutive, delicate and primarily blue in colour. While some flowers are pink and white, these are not as common as blue. They are a common sight in springtime and they tend to grow in “mats”.
The flowers are 3 to 4 mm wide. The corolla is blue, fused, funnel-shaped, 5-lobed, with protuberances in throat of tube. The calyx is fused, bell-shaped, lobes narrow; and there are hairs at base. Forget-me-nots have five stamens, and the filaments fused with calyx-tube.
Forget-Me-Not Leaves
The leaves are basal, stalked, and stalk widely winged. Stem leaves are alternate and stalkless. Leaf blade is lanceolate, with entire margin, and both sides are hairy.
Growth Habit
Forget-me-nots can grow anywhere between 10 and 40 cm in height. The stem ascends and is erect, usually branched, round, slightly angular, hair usually growing upwards flush with stem.
Habitat
Fields, gardens, waste ground, meadows, and rocky outcrops. Although they are most common in the northern hemisphere they also are found in New Zealand.
Edible Parts
The flowers are the edible part to this plant. Eat them as a trail snack or use them to decorate cupcakes, toss them in a salad or as a garnish on your dinner plate.
Identification Tips
Here are some tips for identifying early forget-me-nots:
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Look for the basal rosette of leaves early in spring. The leaves are elliptical with petioles.
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Scan for fuzzy, gray-green foliage carpeting the ground. This is a key sign of forget-me-nots.
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Check for soft, hairy stems and leaves. Two kinds of hairs emerge: bristly and appressed.
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See if plants are low growing, around 10-25 cm tall, with weak stems spreading along the ground.
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Note the smaller oblong stem leaves alternating up the hairy stems. These lack petioles and clasp the stem.
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Watch for the basal rosette to wither away as flowering time approaches. Only stem leaves may remain.
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Expect to see sky-blue blooms in spring once plants are mature. Flowers are small, only 2-4 mm wide.
With practice observing their distinct traits, identifying early forget-me-nots by leaf and habit becomes easy. Look for these charming wildflowers carpeting fields and grasslands with their misty blue blossoms and soft fuzzy foliage.
How to grow forget-me-not
Forget-me-nots are easy to grow from seed and can be sown direct in May or June. The plants thrive in a sunny or partially shaded spot and will flower in their second year.
Where to grow forget-me-not[image id=”55973″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” title=”Forget-me-not growing with hosta. Jason Ingram” alt=”Forget-me-not growing with hosta. Jason Ingram” classes=””] Forget-me-not growing with hosta. Jason Ingram
The best place to grow forget-me-nots is in moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. They look good planted alongside tulips or with other plants that grow well in partial shade, such as hostas. Leave them to self-seed, or sow seed in the summer for flowers the following year.
Forget-Me-Not Care In Pots | Growth, Care, Seeds And After-flowering Care BG
FAQ
Do forget-me-not come back every year?
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Self-seeding:Forget-me-nots produce numerous seeds, which are dispersed and can germinate in the spring to produce new plants.
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Short-lived perennial:While they are technically short-lived perennials, they often behave like biennials or even annuals in gardens due to their strong self-seeding ability.
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Easy to propagate:If you want to encourage more forget-me-nots, you can easily collect seeds from existing plants or divide perennial varieties.
What is the myth behind forget-me-nots?
European Folklore:
A popular legend tells of a medieval knight who, while picking the tiny blue flowers along a riverbank for his beloved, was swept away by the current. As he drowned, he called out, “Forget me not,” ensuring his memory would live on.
Should I cut back my forget-me-nots?
Pruning your Alpine forget-me-not immediately after flowering is crucial. This is when the plant is ready to divert energy to next season’s growth.Jun 18, 2024
Why are my forget-me-nots leaves turning brown?
Browning on leaves is a symptom of a water problem–too much or too little. So, your time away from the office lead to it not having enough. The brown tissue won’t return to green with adequate watering. In nature, these are bog plants–but don’t overdo it the other way. Water needs to drain through.
What do early forget-me-not leaves look like?
The leaves of the Early Forget-me-not are lance-shaped and covered with tiny hairs, giving them a somewhat rough texture. These leaves are arranged alternately along the stems of the plant. The lanceolate leaves contribute to the overall green foliage of the plant, providing a backdrop for the charming blue flowers.
When does early forget-me-not flower?
Early Forget-me-not produces flowers during April and May in Britain and Ireland. An annual or biennial wildflower of dry habitats, Early Forget-me-not is commonly found in higher parts of old sand-dune systems and other coastal grasslands, but it does also occur inland, usually on bare stony lime-rich land such as disused quarries.
What are early forget-me-nots?
In summary, Early Forget-me-nots are a fascinating and unique plant species that have many interesting characteristics and benefits. Whether you appreciate them for their beauty, ecological value, or medicinal properties, they are a plant that is sure to capture your attention and admiration.
Where do early forget-me-not plants grow?
Plants branch from the base and are typically 10-25cm tall. This plant is widespread and fairly common throughout most of Britain and Ireland but it is scarce in the far northwest of Scotland. Early Forget-me-not is also found in many parts of mainland Europe. Early Forget-me-not produces flowers during April and May in Britain and Ireland.
How many petals does a forget me not have?
The flowers have five petals and a yellow center, and they are arranged in clusters at the tips of the stems. Early Forget-me-nots bloom in the spring and early summer, typically from April to June. They prefer to grow in moist, well-drained soils, and they are often found in meadows, woodland edges, and along streams and riverbanks.
What is a forget-me-not flower?
It is in the Boraginaceae (borage) family. Forget-me-not flowers are diminutive, delicate and primarily blue in colour. While some flowers are pink and white, these are not as common as blue. They are a common sight in springtime and they tend to grow in “mats”. Flowers are 3 to 4 mm wide.