True forget‑me‑not (Myosotis scorpioides)
True forget‑me‑not (Myosotis scorpioides) is a rhizomatous, marginal aquatic species for pond edges and consistently wet soils. It carries light sky‑blue flowers over a long season in late spring and summer. Plants creep slowly and root at the nodes to make small colonies. It performs best in full sun to part shade with saturated to shallowly submerged soil. Introduced from Europe and Asia, it is now naturalized in many wet places across North America.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: species; marginal aquatic
- Height × spread: 6 to 10 in × 9 to 12 in (15 to 25 cm × 23 to 30 cm)
- Bloom window: May to August
- Color & flower form: light sky‑blue five‑lobed flowers with yellow eye in coiled cymes
- Fragrance: 0 none
- USDA hardiness: zones 5 to 9
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown
- Pet safety: safe
How it differs
- thrives in saturated soil and along pond margins
- longer bloom window than typical woodland forms
- spreads by rhizomes and rooting stems
- taller and more sprawling than compact bedding types
Strengths
- excellent for rain gardens and water features
- long bloom in cool summers
- handles wet soil well
- attractive to pollinators
Care in one minute
- Site in full sun to part shade at the water’s edge or in saturated soil.
- Use loamy, organic soil; keep crowns just above standing water for best growth.
- Do not allow soil to dry out; plants can be shallowly submerged.
- No heavy feeding is needed; top‑dress with compost in spring.
- Trim back after flowering to control spread and encourage fresh growth.
- Monitor for escape and remove from natural streams where restricted.
Watch‑outs
- can spread along waterways in favorable climates
- check local advisories before planting near natural streams
- needs constant moisture to look its best
Best uses (tags)
water gardens, pond margins, rain gardens, naturalizing
Provenance note
Native to Europe and western Asia, Myosotis scorpioides is widely naturalized in North America; it is also known by the synonym Myosotis palustris.
References
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Myosotis scorpioides
- USDA PLANTS — Myosotis scorpioides profile
- University of Maine Cooperative Extension — Are forget‑me‑nots invasive or native?
- Cats Protection — Cat‑safe plants guide (lists Myosotis as safe)
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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