The much-loved, blue Forget-me-nots or Mouse Ears, known botanically as Myosotis have the ability to stimulate nostalgic memories. For some gardeners they may recall the frolicking, carefree times amid the dainty drifts of Forget-me-nots scattered around a childhood friend’s rambling cottage garden.

Forget-me-nots are a wonderful ground cover for a shady area, although they will also grow in full sun. They are easy to grow and if left alone, will create a lovely blue blanket of flowers as they reseed and multiply, eventually covering large areas. The blooms last a considerable time, fading slightly with age.

Folklore – How the Forget-me-not got its name:
This European perennial is one of the world’s most-loved wildflowers, and though the little clusters of sky blue flowers are wonderful, the romantic legend of how it got its name is ever better. The plant is a streamside species, so the setting makes sense.

A medieval German knight is said to have been picnicking on the bank of the Danube with his lady love. He descended the bank to the water’s edge to gather some of the lovely blue flowers he saw there, but while he was near the water, tragedy struck. A “freshet” (flash flood) suddenly appeared and pulled the young man into the churning river.
As he was literally swept away, he tossed the bouquet to his lady on the bank with the three now-famous words: “Forget me not!”
Ever since, the flower has been associated with expressions of undying affection between loved ones.

Sowing:
Sow in late spring to early summer
Directly seed Forget-Me-Nots into your flower garden after all danger of frost. For earlier blooms, they can be started in pots indoors a few weeks before the last frost in your area and transplanted outdoors once all danger of frost has gone. Plant them in rich to average garden soil.

Direct Sowing:
Sow seeds after all danger of frost. Plant 1/8in deep in good quality compost. Germination takes 10-30 days. Final spacing should be 10 inches apart. They will tolerate crowding. Provide additional water if necessary until the plants reach 30cm (10”)

Cultivation: Allow it to self-sow naturally to create a larger area of flowers next year or pull up plants after they have finished flowering to keep the population under control.

Ornamental Use:
Wildlife / wildflower gardens Bee & Butterfly garden.

Nomenclature:
The genus name “Myosotis” derives from the Greek mus which means “mouse”, and otos meaning “ear”. This refers to the tiny, hairy leaves, which, if colour is ignored, do indeed resemble mouse ears

Today, there are about 50 known species of forget-me-nots. Most variations fit the description of a light sky blue five-petalled flower that blooms in spring, but other colours have since been developed including white and pink.
This is the “true” Forget-Me-Not, not to be confused with Cynoglossum amabile (Chinese Forget-Me-Not).