Woodland Forget-Me-Not Myosotis sylvatica

The Woodland Forget-Me-Not is a spring flowering, herbaceous perennial, often grown as an annual, in the Boraginaceae (Borage) family. It typically grows to a foot high with small blue flowers with yellow or white eyes densely blooming in spring and mid-summer. It is native to Europe and Asia, but has naturalized in many parts of North America. The genus name comes from the classical Greek name myosotis from mus meaning mouse and ous or otos meaning ear applied to plants with short pointed leaves. The species name means growing in the woods or forest-loving.

Woodland Forget-Me-Not does well in organically rich, consistently moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade; although the plants do appreciate some afternoon shade in hot summer climates. It is a wildflower that will adapt to garden soil containing loam or clay-loam if it is kept sufficiently moist. Shallow standing water is tolerated.

It is a short-lived perennial that is best grown as an annual. However, it can also be grown as a biennial by planting seed in the ground in mid-summer for bloom the following year. To grow as an annual, start from seed indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost date for bloom the same year. Regardless of method, plants will persist in the garden for many years by freely and sometimes aggressively self-seeding. You can deadhead immediately to encourage flowers and prevent excessively seeding.

Woodland Forget-Me-Not is listed as a noxious weed in one or more Midwestern states. The base of the plant's stem is often creeping or stolon-like and it can take root and produce clonal offsets. This often results in a colony of plants. This can be useful as a ground cover over a damp site.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect problems. Susceptible to mildew and rust.