Cultivate a stunning garden oasis with the vibrant Victoria Blue Forget-Me-Not and enjoy its many benefits!
The forget-me-not is a beloved spring flower that has captured gardeners’ hearts for generations. With its delicate blue petals and cheerful face, it’s not hard to see why this flower is so adored. One of the most popular forget-me-not varieties is Myosotis sylvatica ‘Victoria Blue’. This compact selection bears stunning rich blue blooms with bright yellow eyes that shine even on cloudy days.
An Overview of ‘Victoria Blue’ Forget-Me-Nots
‘Victoria Blue’ is a cultivar of the woodland forget-me-not species, Myosotis sylvatica. It was likely first bred in the 19th century, during the Victorian era when forget-me-nots were extremely fashionable. This variety stands out for its vivid royal blue petals and tidy, mounding growth habit.
Here are some key facts about ‘Victoria Blue’
- Plant Type: Short-lived perennial or biennial, often grown as an annual
- Mature Size: 6-8 inches tall x 6-12 inches wide
- Bloom Time: April to May, with some additional blooms into summer
- Flower Color: Deep blue petals with yellow centers
- Hardiness: Zones 3-8
- Exposure: Part sun to part shade
- Native Range: Europe and Asia
As a compact forget-me-not, ‘Victoria Blue’ is perfect for planting in container gardens, edging beds and borders, and brightening up rock gardens. The petite star-shaped flowers also make lovely cut flowers. This variety spreads through self-seeding, so allow it to naturalize in informal areas. Deadheading the spent blooms can reduce reseeding.
The Charm and Symbolism of Forget-Me-Nots
Gardeners continue to cherish forget-me-nots for their old-fashioned appeal and sentimental meaning. In the language of flowers, these blooms represent true and undying love. According to legend, a knight picked a bouquet of forget-me-nots for his lady as he drowned in a river. With his last breath he threw the flowers to shore and implored her, “Forget me not!”
Throughout history, the forget-me-not has represented remembrance and memorial. Worn by family members grieving a loss, the flower was an emblem of holding loved ones in your heart. During World War I, forget-me-nots became a symbol of remembering those lost in battle.
Today, the cheerful face of the forget-me-not evokes nostalgia for cottage gardens and simpler times. The electric color grabs your eye, making ‘Victoria Blue’ a stellar choice for the front of flower beds and mixing with spring bulbs. Give this darling flower a place of honor in your garden and enjoy its charm for years to come.
Growing Tips for ‘Victoria Blue’
One reason gardeners remain devoted to ‘Victoria Blue’ forget-me-nots is that they are so easy to grow. Here are some key tips for success with this cottage garden classic:
Soil: Rich, consistently moist, well-draining soil
Sun: Part sun to part shade
Zone: 3-8
Sow: Direct sow in summer for bloom next spring or start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost
Plant: Space 6-8 inches apart in groups of 3 seeds
Care: Average water needs, avoid soggy soil. Mulch to retain moisture.
Fertilize: Apply balanced flower fertilizer at planting
Propagate: By seed, self-sows readily
Pests and diseases: Generally problem-free, can be prone to mildew and rust
Overwinter: Mulch after ground freezes for cold protection
By choosing an appropriate site and providing basic care, ‘Victoria Blue’ forget-me-nots will reward you with an abundance of cheery spring flowers. Be sure to save some seeds for planting year after year!
Companion Planting for ‘Victoria Blue’
Thanks to their petite size and sweet disposition, ‘Victoria Blue’ forget-me-nots pair beautifully with a wide variety of spring flowering bulbs and perennials. Here are some choice companion plants to highlight this variety’s vivid blue color:
- Daffodils
- Tulips
- Hyacinths
- Purple Crocus
- Siberian Iris
- Columbine
- Lungwort
- Purple Candytuft
- Coral Bells
Underplanting bulbs like daffodils and hyacinths with a carpet of forget-me-nots creates a stunning spring display. Contrast the electric blue flowers against the fresh green foliage of lungwort, coral bells, candytuft, and columbine. Plant in drifts among pavers or stones for a romantic cottage look.
Design Inspiration for ‘Victoria Blue’
The nostalgic beauty of ‘Victoria Blue’ forget-me-nots lend themselves beautifully to a variety of garden designs:
Cottage Gardens: Let drifts of ‘Victoria Blue’ forget-me-nots weave through old-fashioned roses, peonies, violas, and foxgloves.
Rock Gardens: Tuck clumps of forget-me-nots in the crevices of rock walls and stone paths.
Borders: Use as a flowering groundcover along the front of mixed perennial beds and borders.
Container Gardens: Plant in window boxes, hanging baskets, and potted arrangements combined with spring bulbs.
Woodland Gardens: Naturalize under trees and shrubs to recreate a woodland floor.
Spring Gardens: Mix with bulbs and other early spring bloomers for a lively spring display.
Memorial Gardens: Plant as a living remembrance of loved ones.
Let your creativity run wild combining ‘Victoria Blue’ with other cottage garden favorites. The possibilities are endless with this garden classic!
Where to Buy ‘Victoria Blue’ Seeds and Plants
Fortunately, ‘Victoria Blue’ forget-me-not seeds and plants are widely available from reputable online nurseries and garden centers. Here are some top options:
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Botanical Interests – Offers organic ‘Victoria Blue’ seeds available in a variety of packet sizes.
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Burpee – Sells seeds and sometimes young plants of this variety.
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American Meadows – Specializes in wildflower seeds and plants, including ‘Victoria Blue’.
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Territorial Seed Company – Carries a nice selection of forget-me-not seeds.
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High Country Gardens – Sells plants and seeds of mountain wildflowers.
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White Flower Farm – A favorite source for garden plants also sells ‘Victoria Blue’.
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Local garden centers – Many independent nurseries carry this variety in the springtime.
The adorable and nostalgic ‘Victoria Blue’ forget-me-not is easy to incorporate in any garden. A cottage garden classic, it blooms when spring flowers are still scarce, brightening borders, containers, and rock gardens. Give this beloved flower a try this year – your spring garden will thank you!
Potential Minor Issues
While generally safe, excessive consumption of the plant may lead to mild gastrointestinal upset in cats. Its always best to monitor their behavior around new plants to ensure they dont overindulge.
⚠️ Potential Minor Issues
While generally safe, consuming large quantities of the plant may lead to mild gastrointestinal upset in dogs. Its always best to monitor your pets behavior around any new plants.
Sow Right Seeds | Forget-Me-Nots
FAQ
Does forget-me-not come back every year?
Myosotis sylvatia, the most widely available forget-me-not grown in gardens, is a short-lived perennial but is usually grown as a biennial. It self-seeds and then flowers the following year. As forget-me-nots are continually spreading by seed, once it’s in your garden, it should flower every year.
Is forget-me-not Blue an annual or perennial?
The Woodland Forget-Me-Not is a spring flowering, herbaceous perennial, often grown as an annual, in the Boraginaceae (Borage) family. It typically grows to a foot high with small blue flowers with yellow or white eyes densely blooming in spring and mid-summer.
What does forget-me-not mean in Victorian times?
For the Victorians, Forget Me Nots were a symbol of remembrance for those who have passed away but more commonly as a symbol of true love and devotion. It was much more rarely used in remembrance and more for people to declare their love, which makes Forget Me Not jewellery the perfect gift for someone you truly love.
How invasive are forget-me-nots?
Forget-me-nots are pretty little plants, but beware. This innocent looking little plant has the potential to overcome other plants in your garden and threaten native plants beyond your fences. Once it escapes its boundaries, controlling forget-me-not plants can become a major challenge.