Overview

Myosotis sylvatica is a tufted herbaceous perennial in the genus Myosotis, part of the Boraginaceae family, with semi evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 1-2 years. Myosotis sylvatica grows best in partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include borders, edging, ground cover, containers and underplanting bulbs. It is native to Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East European Russia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krasnoyarsk, Kuril Is., Madeira, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Sakhalin, Sicilia, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine and West Himalaya.

About

Myosotis sylvatica is a tufted herbaceous perennial that flowers in spring. It forms low clumps 0.1-0.5 metres tall and wide, reaching that size in 1-2 years. Leaves are semi-evergreen and the plant suits partial shade on moist but well-drained soils. Flowering occurs from April to July.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Myosotis sylvatica

About the genus

Myosotis is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family Boraginaceae. In the Northern Hemisphere, they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots or scorpion grasses. The forget-me-not is the official flower of Alaska.

Wikipedia contributors, "Myosotis", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Myosotis

In the garden

Myosotis sylvatica is a tufted herbaceous perennial native across much of Europe and extending into parts of western Asia, including Great Britain. It is valued for its spring display and compact habit, forming clumps that reach 0.1-0.5 metres in both height and spread within one to two years. Place plants in partial shade and provide soil that is moist but well-drained; it tolerates chalk, clay and loam and a full range of soil pH from acid to alkaline. The species performs equally well in exposed or sheltered sites and on south-, north-, east- or west-facing aspects. It is rated H6 for UK hardiness, meaning it is very hardy and will survive typical winter conditions found across the country. Use Myosotis sylvatica in mixed borders and as an edging or ground cover where low spring colour is wanted; it also suits containers and underplanting bulbs. Allow space for its tufted habit to fill in and plan for a spring-to-early-summer flowering period. Expect the main display from April to July, after which the clump remains a low semi-evergreen presence in the bed.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Myosotis

Sunlight

Partial shade

Soil type

Chalk, Clay, Loam

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H6

Plant details

Myosotis sylvatica size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Herbaceous Perennial

Habit

Tufted

Foliage

Semi evergreen

Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Time to full height

1-2 years

Suggested uses

Borders, Edging, Ground cover, Containers, Underplanting bulbs

Native to

Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East European Russia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krasnoyarsk, Kuril Is., Madeira, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Sakhalin, Sicilia, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, West Himalaya

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Myosotis sylvatica

Propagation

Seed

Pest resistance

Susceptible to slugs and snails

Disease resistance

Susceptible to powdery mildews

Frequently asked questions