Cynoglossum 'Mystery Rose' Seeds

Cynoglossum amabile, commonly known as Chinese Forget-me-not, is a robust Hardy Annual (H3). While it completes its life cycle in a single season, it is exceptionally cold-tolerant, allowing it to be sown in autumn to establish strong root systems before the winter frosts.

The "Sticky" Legacy: As a member of the Boraginaceae family, 'Mystery Rose' features characteristic hairy foliage and stems. Its name, derived from the Greek for "dog's tongue," refers to the rough, velvety texture of the leaves. After flowering, the plant produces distinctive "burr" seeds designed to hitch a ride on passing wildlife—a fascinating biological trait that ensures its survival in a cottage garden setting.

Autumn Sowing Advantage: For the most vigorous plants and earliest summer blooms, we recommend sowing in September. The seedlings will overwinter as compact rosettes, ready to burst into growth the moment the spring soil warms, resulting in significantly more abundant floral clouds than spring-sown equivalents.

'Mystery Rose' seeds have a specific biological requirement: they must have darkness to germinate.

How to Sow:
Direct sow outdoors in September or October for the strongest plants, or in March to May for a summer display. Scatter the seeds onto finely raked soil and cover them thoroughly with at least 5mm of soil or compost to exclude all light. Germination typically occurs within 14-21 days.

Where to Plant:
They demand full sun and thrive in almost any well-drained garden soil. These are tough, self-sufficient plants that require very little supplemental feeding, making them an ideal choice for low-maintenance borders or naturalistic meadow styles.

Ongoing Care:
While individual stems are relatively sturdy, a large drift of Cynoglossum can be prone to leaning after heavy summer rainfall. We recommend planting in close groups (25cm apart) so the plants can support one another, or providing a simple framework of twiggy pea-sticks early in the season. To extend the vase life of cut stems, sear the bottom 2cm in boiling water for 10 seconds immediately after harvesting.

The smoky pink of 'Mystery Rose' acts as a perfect neutral "blender" that works spectacularly with other available seeds from our range:

• 🥕 Daucus carota 'Dara': The Vintage Duo. The multi-tonal chocolate and burgundy umbels of 'Dara' (Chocolate Lace Flower) perfectly mirror the dusty pink tones of 'Mystery Rose'. Together, they create an incredibly sophisticated, on-trend combination that is a favorite for high-end wedding floristry.
• 🔵 Cornflower 'Blue Ball': The Wildflower Meadow. For a more vibrant, high-energy aesthetic, pair the smoky pink with the electric blue of 'Blue Ball' Cornflowers. The contrast is both striking and romantic, creating a rich tapestry of colour that is a magnet for bumblebees.

Direct sow in autumn for the strongest plants, or in spring for successional waves of smoky-pink flowers through the summer.