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Forget-me-nots cultivar

Field forget‑me‑not (Myosotis arvensis)

species; annual or short‑lived perennial

V Written by Editorial Team · Updated January 2026

Field forget‑me‑not (Myosotis arvensis) is an annual to short‑lived perennial of disturbed ground and light soils. Plants are softly hairy with many small blue flowers and a long bloom window. It adapts to full sun or light shade and performs best where summers are not extreme. It is native to Eurasia and is naturalized across much of North America. Use it for meadows and informal plantings where self‑seeding is welcome.

Tiny pale blue forget-me-not flowers with yellow centers in a dewy grassy meadow
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Field forget‑me‑not (Myosotis arvensis)

species; annual or short‑lived perennial

At‑a‑glance

  • Group/Class: species; annual or short‑lived perennial
  • Height × spread: 4 to 16 in × 6 to 12 in (10 to 40 cm × 15 to 30 cm)
  • Bloom window: April to September
  • Color & flower form: small blue five‑lobed flowers with pale eye
  • Fragrance: 0 none
  • USDA hardiness: grown as annual in most regions
  • Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown
  • Pet safety: safe

How it differs

  • more drought‑tolerant than water‑edge species
  • longer flowering in lean soils
  • slighter stature with finer stems
  • self‑seeds readily in open ground

Strengths

  • thrives in well‑drained, low‑fertility soils
  • long bloom window in cool seasons
  • useful for naturalized meadows
  • easy from seed

Care in one minute

Give full sun to light shade on well‑drained soils.

Water during establishment; allow soil to dry slightly between waterings.

Avoid heavy feeding; excess nitrogen encourages flop.

Deadhead to reduce volunteers or leave seed to naturalize.

Thin dense seedlings to improve airflow and reduce mildew risk.

Watch‑outs

  • can behave as a weed in tilled beds
  • flowers and foliage fade in high heat
  • short‑lived without self‑sowing

Best uses (tags)

  • meadows
  • naturalizing
  • pollinators
  • cottage borders

Provenance note

Native to Eurasia, Myosotis arvensis is naturalized across much of North America in fields and roadsides.

References

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Tiny pale blue forget-me-not flowers with yellow centers in a dewy grassy meadow

Field forget‑me‑not

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Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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