Forget-me-not Seeds

Myosotis sylvatica, the classic Forget-me-not, is the defining flower of spring. It produces low-growing mounds of soft, fuzzy foliage which become completely smothered in thousands of tiny, azure-blue flowers with cheerful yellow eyes.

It creates a frothy, bubbling sea of blue that looks spectacular when planted under trees, shrubs, or roses. It is the traditional partner for tulips, creating a soft, hazy underplanting that makes the taller bulbs pop.

Why Your Garden Needs Forget-me-nots

We consider this an "essential" rather than just a flower. It is the best plant I know for hiding messy soil in spring. It grows thick and fast, suppressing weeds and covering the dying foliage of snowdrops and daffodils.

It is also one of the earliest sources of food for waking bees. The tiny flowers are perfectly sized for early pollinators. Plus, it is the ultimate "self-sustaining" plant; once you have it, it will gently seed itself around your garden, filling gaps you didn't even know you had!

Understanding the Plant: What is a Biennial?

Forget-me-not is a Biennial.

This means it operates on a two-year cycle.
Year 1: You sow the seeds in late spring or summer. The plant grows a leafy green rosette but does not flower.
Year 2: The plant bursts into flower early in spring, sets seed, and then dies back.
Top Tip: Because it self-seeds so easily, once you have established a patch, it effectively behaves like a perennial, coming back forever!

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

This is one of the easiest plants to grow from seed—it practically grows itself.

🌱 Germination:
Sow directly outdoors from May to July. The seeds are small and black. Scatter them on the surface of bare soil where you want them to flower. They need a little light to germinate, so simply rake them in very gently or press them down. Keep moist, and they will appear in 14-21 days.

Where to Sow:
They are woodland plants by nature, so they love shade or partial shade. They are perfect for that tricky spot under a hedge or a tree where grass won't grow.

Care While Growing:
They need almost no care over winter. In spring, once they have finished flowering, they can look a little scruffy. At this point, simply pull the old plants up—but shake them vigorously over the soil before you compost them. This releases thousands of seeds for next year's display.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features, helping you decide if this spring classic is the right fit for your garden.

My Recommended Garden Companions

Forget-me-nots create a "blue carpet" that makes other spring/early summer flowers stand out. Here are my top pairings from the shop:

• 💜 Aquilegia 'Blue' (Granny's Bonnet): As the Forget-me-nots begin to fade in late spring, the Aquilegia takes over. The nodding heads of the Columbine rising out of the blue Forget-me-not foliage is a classic cottage garden look.
• 🐝 Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens': If you sow Cerinthe in autumn, it blooms early in spring alongside the Forget-me-nots. The purple bells and silver foliage of the Cerinthe look magical against the frothy blue carpet.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Sow in late spring/summer. Plants establish over winter and flower the following spring.

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)