Water Forget-Me-Not, True forget-me-not
Myosotis scorpioides

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Blue. Main Bloom Time: Early summer. Form: Irregular or sprawling, Spreading or horizontal, Upright or erect.

Myosotis scorpioides is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to September, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

Wet places by streams and ponds.

Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa and the Himalayas N. America

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 1

Used in the treatment of whooping cough and bronchitis.

Other

Rating: 0

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden, Specimen, Woodland garden. Prefers a wet soil but thrives in a moist shady border. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Does well on pond edges. Prefers a sunny position. Plants are hardy to about -20°c. A long-lived species, it spreads freely when growing in marshy ground. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. Special Features: Attractive foliage, North American native, Naturalizing, Wetlands plant, Suitable for cut flowers, Fragrant flowers.

Propagating it: Seed - sow outdoors in situ in late spring or early summer. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 4 weeks at 20°c. Division in spring. Large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of young shoots, summer in a shady border.

Best place to grow: Pond; Bog Garden;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet, water

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

M. palustris.