About
Myosotis arvensis, the field forget-me-not, is an annual to short-lived perennial forming an overwintering rosette of greyish-green, hairy leaves. The curved flowering stalk unfurls with a succession of blue, occasionally pink, five-lobed flowers to around 40 cm tall from spring into autumn. A pretty and naturalising wildflower for a sunny border or wildflower meadow.
About the genus
Myosotis, the forget-me-nots, are annuals, biennials and short-lived perennials with simple, usually hairy leaves and clusters of small, salver-shaped, blue, yellow or white flowers with yellow or white eyes in spring and early summer. Easy and popular plants for borders, rock gardens and pond margins.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisturePoorly-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeAquatic, Herbaceous Perennial, Bogs
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toTemp. N. Hemisphere
Care notes
CultivationGrow in wet soil at pool margins, in water no deeper than 10cm, in full sun or partial shade. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice
PruningCut back after flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in-situ, in mud at pond margins or in containers of moist compost in a coldframe in spring, or by division in spring - replant in mud or in baskets in shallow water
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews and downy mildews