Wood Forget‑Me‑Not
Wood forget‑me‑not (Myosotis sylvatica) is a spring‑blooming, tufted species grown most often as a biennial in North American gardens. It forms compact mounds and carries many small blue flowers with a white or yellow eye. It performs best in cool springs with consistent moisture and light shade. It naturalizes by self‑seeding and is widely hardy in cold regions. Native to temperate Eurasia, it is the typical garden forget‑me‑not seen under tulips and daffodils.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: species; short‑lived perennial or biennial
- Height × spread: 6 to 12 in × 6 to 9 in (15 to 30 cm × 15 to 23 cm)
- Bloom window: April to May
- Color & flower form: sky‑blue five‑lobed flowers with white or yellow eye; occasional pink or white forms
- Fragrance: 0 none
- USDA hardiness: zones 3 to 8
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown
- Pet safety: safe
How it differs
- more cold‑hardy than most other forget‑me‑nots
- best for lightly shaded borders rather than water margins
- naturally compact and low
- peak bloom in mid spring
Strengths
- reliable spring color in cool climates
- self‑sows to form soft carpets
- tolerates part shade
- pairs well with spring bulbs
Care in one minute
- Choose part sun to light shade with morning sun.
- Provide evenly moist, well‑drained soil with organic matter; pH neutral to slightly acidic.
- Water during dry spells in spring; do not let soil dry out completely.
- Feed lightly with a balanced fertilizer once after growth starts.
- Deadhead to limit spread; leave some seed to renew plantings.
- Pull spent plants after flowering if tidy borders are needed.
Watch‑outs
- short‑lived and relies on self‑seeding to persist
- foliage can fade after flowering in heat
- can seed beyond intended area in ideal conditions
Best uses (tags)
borders, underplanting bulbs, naturalizing, containers, pollinators
Provenance note
Native to temperate Eurasia, Myosotis sylvatica is widely naturalized in North America through garden escape.
References
Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Myosotis sylvatica
Kew Plants of the World Online — Myosotis sylvatica
Cats Protection — Cat‑safe plants guide (lists Myosotis as safe)
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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