Forget me not seeds produce beautiful dainty flowers that add delightful pops of blue to gardens. This guide covers everything you need to know about growing these charming blooms from seed.
An Overview of Forget Me Nots
Forget me nots, also known by their botanical name Myosotis sylvatica, are biennial and perennial flowering plants. The small, five-petaled flowers bloom in shades of blue, pink, white, and yellow. They grow 8-24 inches tall on branching upright stems lined with narrow green leaves.
These flowers symbolize true love respect and remembrance. Their name refers to the legend that as a knight drowned, he threw forget me nots to his lover, pleading for her not to forget him.
When and Where to Plant Forget Me Not Seeds
Forget me nots thrive in cool, moist climates They grow best in zones 3-9. Some key tips for planting forget me not seeds include
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Direct sow in late summer or early fall for flowers the following spring. They need a period of cold before blooming.
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Choose a partially shaded spot with fertile, humus-rich soil. Areas near woods or with morning sun and afternoon shade are ideal.
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Seeds can also be started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Transplant seedlings out after hardening off.
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Forget me nots self-sow readily. Allow some flowers to go to seed to enjoy more plants the following year.
How to Direct Sow Forget Me Not Seeds
Follow these steps to direct sow forget me nots:
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Prepare a planting bed in partial shade with compost tilled into the soil to enrich it. Rake smooth.
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Sprinkle seeds over the soil, spacing about 6 inches apart. Cover with 1/4 inch of soil.
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Water gently to moisten soil. Keep seeds moist until sprouting.
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Thin seedlings 8-12 inches apart.
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Install cages over the bed if deer or rabbits are an issue.
Caring for Forget Me Nots
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Water forget me not plants regularly during the first season to establish an extensive root system.
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Apply a balanced fertilizer monthly once flowering begins.
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Remove spent blooms to prolong flowering.
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Mulch plants in fall for extra insulation from cold.
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Divide overcrowded plants every 2-3 years after blooming finishes.
Common Problems and Solutions
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Leggy growth – Needs more sunlight
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Few flowers – Divide and transplant, fertilize regularly
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Foliage decline – Improve drainage, water thoroughly
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Holes in leaves – Apply insecticidal soap spray for pest control
How to Collect and Store Forget Me Not Seeds
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Allow some blooms to fade completely on the plant after flowering finishes.
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Seed pods will form with small black seeds inside. Collect pods when they turn brown and papery.
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Further dry pods out of direct sun. Then crack them open to remove seeds.
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Place seeds in an envelope or jar labeled with the variety and year. Store in a cool, dry place.
When properly cared for, a single planting of forget me not seeds can provide beautiful flowers year after year as they self-sow. Give these lovely blue blooms a spot in your garden to enjoy their beauty and symbolism.
All eyes will be on these pretty blue flowers.A great choice for shady areas of the garden. This biennial makes a delightful boundry bewtten wooded areas and the garden. Or, try it as a ground cover in a shaded perennial flower garden. Forget-Me-Not is commonly seen in traditional “cottage gardens.” Once established, forget-me-nots tolerate crowding and will reseed themselves.
| Unit | Price | Quantity | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 Seeds | $3.49 | In Stock |
If you direct sow in late summer, you’ll have flowers the next spring. If you start indoors early, you can have flowers the next spring. Forget-Me-Nots tolerate crowding, space them at least 8 inches apart. Prefers moist, fertile soil and partial sun. Does well as a border to wooded areas mixed in with other perennials. Will self-sow and germinate in the summer. If allowed to do sow, Forget-Me-Nots will come back year after year.
| Days to Germination | 7 to 14 days |
|---|---|
| Days to Maturity | 240 days |
| Planting Depth | 0 to ¼ inch |
| Spacing in Row | 6 inches |
| Spacing Between Rows | 6 inches |
| Height at Maturity | 8 inches |
| Width at Maturity | 8 inches |
| Sun Preference | Full to Little Sun |
Sowing & pricking out forget me not (Myosotis) seedlings step by step
FAQ
Is forget-me-not easy to grow from seed?
Where is the best place to grow forget-me-nots?
Does forget-me-not flowers come up every year?
How invasive are forget-me-nots?
What is a forget-me-not seed?
Forget-me-nots come in both annual and perennial forms, and their significance beautifully extends to memorial services for loved ones. It’s not uncommon for forget-me-not seeds to be distributed during these services, offering a poignant way to plant and remember the departed.
Should you reseed a forget-me-not?
Provide rich, consistently moist soil for the longest blooming period and the most flowers. Forget-me-not, as a biennial or short-lived, reseeding perennial, re-blooms annually with minimal care. Garden pests leave forget-me-not alone.
How long does it take for Forget-Me-Not seeds to germinate?
Seeds will germinate in 8 to 14 days if kept moderately moist. Thin to 10 inches (25 cm.) apart to allow room for adult plants. Plant indoor sown forget-me-not outdoors after acclimating plants to outside conditions over the course of a few days. Forget-me-nots like plenty of moisture, but not boggy soil.
How do you grow forget-me-not seeds?
Both beautiful and easy to care for, forget-me-nots are a popular flower choice for amateur gardeners. The seeds can be planted either in outdoors in your garden or in indoor pots. Properly cared for forget-me-not seeds will mature into stunning blue, pink, or white flowers. Pick an area that gets 3–6 hours of sunlight per day to start the seeds.