The delicate largeseed forget-me-not (Myosotis macrosperma) is a lovely wildflower that deserves a spot in gardens everywhere. With its powder blue blossoms brightening shady areas in spring, this native North American annual adds graceful beauty to borders, rock gardens, and woodland plantings.
An Overview of Largeseed Forget-Me-Nots
Largeseed forget-me-not is a humble wildflower in the borage family that grows to 6-18 inches tall and spreads 1-2 feet wide. As the name implies, it produces larger nutlets than other forget-me-not species. The small, light blue flowers with yellow centers bloom for 6-8 weeks beginning in early spring. They are less than an inch across and appear in loose, rounded clusters along the length of the plant’s branches.
These wildflowers thrive in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. They readily self-sow, often completely blanketing areas of forests and stream banks with blue in spring. Largeseed forget-me-nots also grow in disturbed sites like roadsides and fields across central and eastern North America.
Why Grow Largeseed Forget-Me-Nots?
Here are some top reasons to add these wildflowers to your garden:
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Easy care: Once established, largeseed forget-me-nots are low maintenance and unfussy.
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Self-sowing: The nutlets spread readily on their own, creating beautiful patches year after year.
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Long bloom time: The flowers last for up to 8 weeks in spring.
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Attracts pollinators Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds visit the nectar-filled blooms
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Groundcover: The low, spreading form makes an attractive flowering groundcover.
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Tolerates shade Forget-me-nots thrive in shade where many flowers fail
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Spring color: The light blue blossoms brighten up shady beds and borders.
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Native plant: As a native wildflower, largeseed forget-me-nots benefit local ecosystems.
How to Grow Largeseed Forget-Me-Nots
If you’d like to grow largeseed forget-me-nots, here are some tips:
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Sun and soil: Plant in part sun to full shade. Largeseed forget-me-nots like moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
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Starting from seed: In spring after the last frost, sow seeds directly in prepared garden soil. Cover lightly and keep moist for germination in 8-14 days.
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Transplants: Move nursery-grown plants to the garden after hardening off, spacing about 8 inches apart.
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Care: Apply a thin layer of compost each spring. Water during droughts. Avoid over-fertilizing which can cause floppy growth.
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Propagating: For more plants, divide clumps after flowering. Largeseed forget-me-nots readily self-sow if seed heads are left on the plant.
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Problems: Watch for slugs and foliar diseases if plants are crowded. Improve air circulation to prevent issues.
Designing With Largeseed Forget-Me-Nots
Looking for ways to incorporate these wildflowers into your landscape? Consider these design ideas:
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Allow naturalization in woodland gardens and wilder areas of your yard.
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Use as a flowing groundcover around trees, shrubs, and other perennials.
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Underplant under deciduous trees before canopy leafs out.
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Include drifts in shade gardens alongside ferns, astilbe, tiarella, and other shade lovers.
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Feature in rock gardens, courtyard containers, and pathway borders.
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Allow to mingle with spring bulbs and ephemeral wildflowers.
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Use as edging plants along beds, walkways, and fences.
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Include in meadows and prairie gardens. Grasses make great companions.
Companion Plants
Here are some ideal foliage and flower pairings:
Spring ephemerals: Trout lily, bloodroot, bluebells, May apple
Spring bulbs: Snowdrops, crocus, winter aconite, squill
Shade perennials: Astilbe, wild ginger, Solomon’s seal, ferns
Grasses: Hair sedge, wood oats, heath wood rush
Shrubs & trees: Oakleaf hydrangea, serviceberry, redbud, viburnum
Largeseed Forget-Me-Nots for Pollinators
By providing an early season source of nectar, largeseed forget-me nots are magnets for hungry pollinators like native bees and butterflies. Planting drifts of this wildflower creates an important feeding area for local ecosystems. Watch for bee activity on the blossoms in spring.
The History and Meaning of Forget-Me-Nots
Beyond their ornamental value, forget-me-nots are shrouded in poignant folklore. One legend claims a small blue flower called out “Forget me not!” as God named all the plants, sealing its moniker. These blooms represent remembrance, respect, fidelity, and enduring love. They are iconic flowers for bouquets and gardens wishing to convey loyal affection.
In many cultures, the forget-me-not’s meaning resonates with remembrance of those lost in war or death. The flowers remind us to honor sacrifices and lost connections. Growing forget-me-nots enables our gardens to represent this rich heritage.
For a touch of grace and sentiment in shaded garden beds and borders, look no further than the largeseed forget-me-not. As a North American native wildflower, it’s an ecologically friendly option that spreads readily once planted. The refreshing powder blue color and charming legend behind forget-me-nots make this a must for any garden wishing to convey remembrance or fill niches with easy-care color. Give Myosotis macrosperma a try this spring – these beauties perfectly live up to their unforgettable name.
Forget-Me-Not is renowned for its distinctiveness, boasting sprays of delicate flowers with an ethereal blue hue, adding a serene ambiance to the garden.
Growers and flower enthusiasts alike will appreciate these classic flowers beauty and low maintenance, perfect for various landscapes and climates. A very tough, durable dwarf plant, it is excellent for rock gardens, borders, and beds in either sun or light shade. These blue flowers are also called Myosotis.
Sku: 5561
Common Name: Forget Me Not
Botanical Name: Myosotis
8 – 10 Days
Average (1 – 2 in / week)
Characteristics: Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinators
Color: Blue
Fill Weight (grams): 2.8 g
Approximate Seed Count: 490 – 510
Days To Bloom: 50 – 150 Days
Landscape Use: Border / Edge Planting
Resistance: Deer|Rabbit|Wet Soil
Package Dimensions: 3.25 x 4.5″
For an early bloom, start indoors. Or, after all danger of frost, sow outdoors. When plants are 2 inches high, thin or transplant.
Planting Depth: 0.25″
Seed Spacing: Sow Forget Me Not Flower seeds roughly 8 – 10″ apart.
Nutrient Care Instructions: Apply SUPERthrive once per week. Soak in solution of 1/4 tsp per gal for 15 min. or longer depending on size and type.
Can be naturalized under deciduous trees. Adds delicate beauty to borders and beds. Very effective when massed. In very cold regions, mulching may be necessary for protection in winter.
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Sow Right Seeds | Forget-Me-Nots
FAQ
Are forget-me-nots hard to grow from seed?
Forget-me-nots are often grown as an annual by starting seeds indoors about eight to 10 weeks before the last frost for bloom the same year. In milder climates, sow seeds in fall for spring bloom. Forget-me-nots are easy to grow as long as they have organically enriched soil, regular-to-ample water and partial shade.
Is “forget me” not invasive?
The true forget-me-not, also known as scorpion weed (Myosotis scorpioides), brought to the United States from Europe is becoming a nuisance by its aggressive invasive tendencies.
Can I just scatter flower seeds?
We don’t recommend just throwing the seed out in the field or into the grass; anyone who’s tried scattering seed without removing other plants has been sorely …
Does forget-me-not come back every year?
Most types of Forget-Me-Not flowers are short-lived perennials, grown as biennials. This means that they begin to grow in the first year, and flower and die in their second year. They are sometimes thought of as perennials because they seed themselves freely, reappearing year after year.
Do I need to seed a forget-me-not plant?
Once you have forget-me-nots in your garden, it is rarely necessary to plant seed. The little plants can be left to overwinter and then get moved to wherever you want them in early spring. If you want to start some plants for the first time, seeding them is easy.
Can you grow forget me not seeds from seed?
Forget me not seeds produce beautiful dainty flowers that add delightful pops of blue to gardens. This guide covers everything you need to know about growing these charming blooms from seed. Forget me nots, also known by their botanical name Myosotis sylvatica, are biennial and perennial flowering plants.
How to plant forget-me-nots?
To plant forget-me-nots, follow these steps: Water the soil consistently, keeping it moist but not waterlogged. Water the plants regularly during dry spells or when the top layer of soil feels dry. Forget-me-nots do not require heavy fertilization.
Do Forget-Me-Nots reseed?
Forget-Me-Not is commonly seen in traditional “cottage gardens.” Once established, forget-me-nots tolerate crowding and will reseed themselves. If you direct sow in late summer, you’ll have flowers the next spring. If you start indoors early, you can have flowers the next spring. Forget-Me-Nots tolerate crowding, space them at least 8 inches apart.
Are forget-me-not plants hardy?
The hardiness of forget-me-nots varies by species. Some species, like wood forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica), are hardy to USDA zones 3 to 8, while others, like water forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides), can tolerate higher temperatures and are hardy to USDA zones 5 to 9.
How do you grow forget-me-not seeds?
Both beautiful and easy to care for, forget-me-nots are a popular flower choice for amateur gardeners. The seeds can be planted either in outdoors in your garden or in indoor pots. Properly cared for forget-me-not seeds will mature into stunning blue, pink, or white flowers. Pick an area that gets 3–6 hours of sunlight per day to start the seeds.