Daffodils and forget-me-nots are two of the most beloved flowers that bloom in spring. With their cheery blossoms in hues of yellow and blue, this classic color combination creates a charming display when grown together in the garden. In this article, we’ll explore how to successfully plant and care for daffodils and forget-me-nots so you can enjoy these flowers side-by-side for years to come.
An Overview of Daffodils and Forget-Me-Nots
Daffodils are iconic spring bulbs known for their star-shaped blooms and slender green foliage. There are over 50 species and thousands of hybrids available, ranging from miniatures under 6 inches to tall varieties over 2 feet. Daffodils bloom in early to mid spring, providing a cheery burst of color after a long winter.
Forget-me-nots are delicate annuals or perennials with clusters of tiny blue or white flowers They bloom in late spring to early summer and grow to be around 6 to 18 inches tall. Their wispy foliage forms a mat-like mound that spreads as the plants reseed themselves Forget-me-nots are named for their flower’s resemblance to eyes that plead to be remembered.
When planted together daffodils and forget-me-nots create a pleasing pairing. The bold daffodils act as a backdrop for the airy forget-me-nots, allowing both flowers a chance to shine.
Growing Conditions for Daffodils and Forget-Me-Nots
Luckily, daffodils and forget-me-nots share similar growing requirements, making them ideal companions in the garden:
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Sunlight: Both plants thrive in full sun to partial shade. Daffodils can tolerate more sun than forget-me-nots. Provide forget-me-nots shade in hot afternoon sun.
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Soil Well-draining soil enriched with organic matter is ideal. Daffodils are more tolerant of poor soil than forget-me-nots
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Zone: Daffodils grow as perennials in zones 3-9 while forget-me-nots can be grown as annuals or perennials in zones 3-10.
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Water: Keep soil moist but not soggy. Daffodils prefer drier soil than forget-me-nots.
Planting Daffodils and Forget-Me-Nots Together
Follow these tips for successfully planting daffodils and forget-me-nots together:
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Prepare soil: Enrich soil with compost or aged manure to improve drainage and nutrients. Daffodils especially appreciate the addition of bone meal for bulb growth.
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Plant daffodils first: Plant daffodil bulbs in the fall, 4-6 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart. Choose early, mid, and late blooming varieties for an extended floral display.
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Scatter forget-me-not seeds: After the ground thaws in late winter or early spring, scatter forget-me-not seeds around the area where daffodils will emerge. Gently press seeds into soil but do not cover completely.
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Consider bloom times: Make sure daffodil and forget-me-not varieties you select will bloom together in spring. Early daffodils combined with late forget-me-nots work well.
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Water thoroughly: Water the area well after planting and continue watering when top few inches of soil become dry.
Caring for Daffodils, Forget-Me-Nots, and Foliage
Here are some tips for keeping your daffodils and forget-me-nots looking their best:
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Water sufficiently to keep soil moist but not saturated. Let soil dry out between waterings.
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Apply a balanced fertilizer when daffodils emerge and again when they finish blooming. Forget-me-nots may appreciate a light spring feeding.
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Remove faded daffodil blooms but leave foliage until it completely dies back to nourish bulbs for next year.
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Forget-me-nots often reseed on their own but you can scatter additional seeds each fall for dense growth.
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Control weeds which may compete for space, nutrients and water. Use mulch to suppress weeds if necessary.
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Deadhead spent forget-me-not flowers regularly to encourage more blooms. Trim back overly floppy growth.
Combining Daffodils, Forget-Me-Nots, and Other Flowers
In addition to daffodils and forget-me-nots, consider incorporating other flowers in your spring garden:
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Tulips and hyacinths provide color before daffodils emerge. Combine them with late daffodils.
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Grape hyacinths (Muscari) bloom concurrently with early daffodils in a complementary blue.
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English daisies, pansies, and violas mix well with forget-me-nots for a colorful carpet of blooms.
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Ferns, coral bells, and hostas make nice foliage companions to hide yellowing daffodil leaves.
No matter which flowers you choose to combine with daffodils and forget-me-nots, make sure their cultural requirements are compatible for seamless planting. Then you can enjoy waves of spring blossoms together.
The Takeaway
By selecting varieties with overlapping bloom times and sharing preferences for sunlight, soil, and water, daffodils and forget-me-nots can be grown successfully side-by-side for a delightful spring display. Prepare the planting area, fertilize lightly, water when dry, and allow foliage to die back naturally after blooming. Incorporate other spring favorites like tulips, hyacinths, and perennial foliage for added interest. With a little planning and care, daffodils and forget-me-nots will gracefully usher in the spring season together in your garden for years to come.
Companion Plants for Forget-Me-Nots
Native to the U. S. , forget-me-nots are easy to grow here. This is a pretty wildflower that will do its own thing. Pick some of these flowers to go with your spring bulbs to make your flower garden look its best: Plant your forget-me-nots amongst the daffodil and tulip bulbs that bloom in early spring. You’ll get the bulbs first, then the forget-me-nots, with a little overlap that makes a bed look very interesting. Roses. Roses have all of their beauty up at the top, with the blooms. Gardeners often want to hide their thorny legs, and forget-me-nots are a great plant for that. They grow to be about 2 feet (61 cm) tall. ) tall. Shade foliage. When planting next to forget-me-nots, don’t forget the greenery. For your shady areas, you can combine forget-me-nots with ferns, hostas, or the various foliage colors of heuchera. Rock cress. Rock cress is another pretty plant that blooms a lot. It grows over ledges and spreads out to make a low mat of color in late spring and summer. With forget-me-nots behind it, you will have two layers of pretty colors. The plants that grow with forget-me-nots are nearly unlimited. If they look nice together, grow in similar conditions, and you like them, go for it.
Forget-Me-Not Care In Pots | Growth, Care, Seeds And After-flowering Care BG
FAQ
What flowers pair well with forget-me-nots?
What flowers resemble forget-me-nots?
Do forget-me-nots come back every year?
What month do forget-me-nots represent?
What color daffodils go with Forget-Me-Nots?
Daffodils: With their bright yellow color, daffodils provide a beautiful contrast to the blue hues of forget-me-nots. Tulips: Tulips come in a variety of colors and can be used to complement or contrast the shades of forget-me-nots. Hostas: Hostas provide a lush green backdrop to the delicate flowers of forget-me-nots.
How do you care for a forget-me-not tulip & daffodil?
Combination with Bulbs: Pair forget-me-nots with spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils. The timing of their blooms complements each other, providing continuous color in your garden. To keep your forget-me-nots looking their best, follow these maintenance tips: Watering: Maintain consistent soil moisture, especially during dry spells.
What plants go well with Forget-Me-Nots?
Some great companion plants for forget-me-nots include: Daffodils: With their bright yellow color, daffodils provide a beautiful contrast to the blue hues of forget-me-nots. Tulips: Tulips come in a variety of colors and can be used to complement or contrast the shades of forget-me-nots.
Can you grow a plant with Forget-Me-Nots behind it?
With forget-me-nots behind it, you will have two layers of pretty colors. The plants that grow with forget-me-nots are nearly unlimited. If they look nice together, grow in similar conditions, and you like them, go for it.
Can you grow Forget-Me-Not flowers alone?
Forget-me-not plants will tolerate either setting. Once growing, you can leave them alone. There is little you need to do to help them thrive, but you can choose some excellent companion plants to grow with forget-me-not flowers to add more interest to the garden. Native to the U.S., forget-me-nots are easy to grow here.
How long does a forget-me-not flower last?
Flowers: Forget-me-nots have clusters of tiny, delicate flowers that are typically blue but can also be pink or white. Bloom time: They typically bloom in the spring or summer. Forget-me-nots can bloom for several weeks, providing a long-lasting source of color and beauty in your garden.