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. In the video above, David Hurrion explains how to grow forget-me-nots.
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’.
Hey garden lovers! I’m super excited to share my experience combining two of spring’s most charming flowers – forget-me-nots and tulips. At Stone Post Gardens, we’ve been experimenting with this magical duo for years and lemme tell you they’re absolutely stunning together!
Why These Two Flowers are a Match Made in Heaven
You know what’s crazy? Even though these flowers look totally different, they’re like best friends in the garden. Here’s why we love pairing them
- Forget-me-nots act like a gorgeous blue carpet under tall tulips
- Their blooming times overlap perfectly in spring
- The height difference creates amazing layers of color
- They’re both super easy to grow (trust me, I’ve killed plenty of plants, but not these!)
Getting to Know Your Plants
Tulips: The Spring Superstars
Let’s talk tulips first! These beauties come from central Asia and boy, do they pack a punch in the garden. Here’s what you need to know:
- Height: Usually 12-24 inches tall
- Blooming time: 2-3 weeks in early spring
- Colors: Everything except blue (over 3,000 varieties!)
- Plant type: Spring bulbs
Forget-Me-Nots: The Sweet Ground Cover
These little cuties (Myosotis sylvatica) are like the friendly neighbors of the garden world
- Height: 4-24 inches (depends on variety)
- Blooming time: Spring to early summer
- Colors: Blue, pink, and white with yellow centers
- Plant type: Annual or short-lived perennial
How to Plant Them Together (My Tried-and-True Method)
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Fall Planting (For Tulips)
- Dig holes 4-8 inches deep
- Plant bulbs pointy end up
- Space them about 4-6 inches apart
- Pro tip: Mark where you planted them! (I learned this the hard way )
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Spring Planting (For Forget-Me-Nots)
- Wait till ground thaws
- Scatter seeds between tulip markers
- Just press into soil – don’t cover!
- Keep soil moist
Design Ideas That’ll Make Your Neighbors Jealous
1. Cottage Garden Style
We love creating a romantic vibe with:
- Pink ‘Queen of the Night’ tulips
- Blue forget-me-nots scattered underneath
- Let them self-seed for that natural look
2. Container Garden Magic
Try this combo in pots:
- ‘World’s Favourite’ Darwin Hybrid tulips
- ‘Blue Ball’ forget-me-nots
- Use a wide, shallow container
3. Rock Garden Beauty
For something different:
- Short Kaufmanniana tulips
- Trailing forget-me-nots
- Plant them between rocks
Maintenance Tips (Keep It Simple!)
Look, I’m gonna be honest – these plants aren’t super demanding, but here’s what they need:
For Both Plants:
- Full sun to partial shade
- Well-draining soil
- Regular watering
- Watch out for slugs (they’re like tiny garden vampires!)
Special Care:
- Deadhead tulips but let forget-me-nots self-seed
- Don’t remove tulip leaves until they’re yellow
- Feed with balanced fertilizer in spring
Common Problems (And How to Fix ‘Em)
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Floppy Forget-Me-Nots
- Solution: Choose compact varieties
- Plant them closer together
-
Tulips Not Blooming
- Solution: Make sure bulbs get cold period
- Don’t cut leaves too early
-
Overcrowding
- Solution: Thin out forget-me-nots
- Divide tulips every 3-4 years
Fun Fact Corner
Did ya know that forget-me-nots got their name from a super romantic German legend? And tulips? They were once worth more than gold in Holland! These flowers aren’t just pretty – they’re packed with history.
Wrapping It Up
I gotta say, combining forget-me-nots and tulips is one of the easiest ways to create a stunning spring garden. They’re like the peanut butter and jelly of the flower world – great on their own, but magic together!
Remember, gardening should be fun, not stressful. So don’t worry if everything isn’t perfect – these flowers are pretty forgiving. Just give ’em some love, and they’ll reward you with an amazing spring show!
Have you tried growing these flowers together? Would love to hear your experiences in the comments below! And if you’re looking for more garden inspiration, drop by Stone Post Gardens – we’re always happy to chat about plants!
Where to grow forget-me-not
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.
How to care for forget-me-not
Most forget-me-not varieties are biennial, and they self-seed freely. Pull up the plants before they set seed if you dont want them to spread too profusely.
Forget-me-nots are a low-maintenance plant. They don’t need feeding, but they do thrive in moist, not waterlogged soil. Water new plants regularly until established and, if they are in containers, all season – especially during hot weather.
Cut back plants after flowering, or remove if you want to avoid too many self-sown plants.
There are no pests that target myosotis, but foliage can be prone to powdery mildew or downy mildew after flowering.
Planting Tulips with Forget-me-nots
FAQ
What is the myth about forget-me-nots?
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.
What is the quote in Holland about tulips?
“In Holland, everyone is an expert in painting and in tulips.” “Normality is a paved road; It’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it.”
What flowers go well with forget-me-nots?
Hostas: Hostas provide a lush green backdrop to the delicate flowers of forget-me-nots. Bleeding Heart: The pink and white blooms of bleeding heart complement the blue flowers of forget-me-nots. Primroses: Primroses add a splash of color to any garden and look great when paired with forget-me-nots.