Chinese Forget‑Me‑Not
Chinese forget‑me‑not (Cynoglossum amabile) is a cool‑season annual or biennial often grown for sprays of clear blue flowers. It is not a true Myosotis, but a relative in the borage family. It performs best in spring and early summer and can be used as a light cut flower. Plants prefer sun with good drainage and even moisture. In hot summers bloom declines by late season.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: species; annual or biennial
- Height × spread: 12 to 24 in × 8 to 12 in (30 to 60 cm × 20 to 30 cm)
- Bloom window: late spring to first frost
- Color & flower form: blue five‑petaled flowers in branched cymes; occasional pink or white forms
- Fragrance: 0 none
- USDA hardiness: grown as annual in most regions
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown, unknown, China
- Cut‑flower notes: good for cutting; slender stems; vase life varies by conditioning
- Pet safety: avoid
How it differs
- taller than most true forget‑me‑nots
- better suited to cutting gardens
- more sensitive to heat and humidity
- contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are a problem for grazing animals
Strengths
- long bloom from seed in one season
- easy to grow and self‑seeds
- useful blue for annual borders and bouquets
- works in containers with regular water
Care in one minute
- Grow in full sun to light shade with well‑drained soil.
- Sow or plant in cool weather; provide regular water without waterlogging.
- Do not over‑fertilize; excessive nitrogen reduces bloom.
- Pinch once to encourage branching; deadhead to extend flowering.
- Monitor for mildew and space plants for airflow.
Watch‑outs
- powdery mildew can occur in crowded, humid sites
- declines in prolonged heat
- avoid where horses or livestock graze
Best uses (tags)
cutting, annual borders, containers, pollinators
Provenance note
Native from central Nepal to central China, Cynoglossum amabile is widely cultivated as an annual and may reseed.
References
NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Cynoglossum amabile
ASPCA — Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum amabile) toxicity listing for horses
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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