Chinese Forget-me Not Cynoglossum amabile
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- sign-oh-GLOSS-um a-MAH-bih-lee
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
-
Chinese Forget-me-not is classified as a perennial, biennial and cool weather annual, all depending on where grown.
In warmer climates, planting should be done in an area that receives shade in the afternoon. This cool weather annual will not perform at its best when situated in climates that experience long, hot summers. The bloom period will decline in the late summer and not extend into the fall.
Easily grown from seed, it can bloom in the first year and continues to reseed itself for many months of sky blue flowers. Its self-seeding tendencies make some declare it as invasive.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Powdery mildew can be an issue. Allowing adequate space between plants will provide good airflow, thereby alleviating the powdery mildew issues.
Overwatering can lead to fungal growth.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Showers'
Upright habit - 'Firmament'
Scalloped petals
- 'Blue Showers'
- 'Blue Showers', 'Firmament'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Showers'
Upright habit - 'Firmament'
Scalloped petals
- 'Blue Showers'
- 'Blue Showers', 'Firmament'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cynoglossum
- Species:
- amabile
- Family:
- Boraginaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Borders, beds
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central Nepal to Central China
- Wildlife Value:
- Pollinators are attracted to the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Easy to Grow
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- The seedpod has five large seeds with a surface that can attach to animals or birds, thereby spread into the surrounding areas.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The plant will produce an abundance of showy sprays containing 1/4" flowers from late spring to the first frost.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Both stalked basal leaves up to 8" long and smaller sessile stem leaves up to 3" are produced.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- It can grow as a single stem or multi-stemmed plant.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Problem for Horses
