About Forget Me Nots
Few things are as enchanting as the sight of forget-me-nots flourishing in late spring and early summer. These flowers possess a delicate yet sturdy charm, complementing other spring blooms beautifully. Typically growing in clusters, they showcase a captivating blue hue with yellow centers, though there are also varieties available in rose and white. Forget-me-nots come in both annual and perennial forms, and their significance beautifully extends to memorial services for loved ones. It's not uncommon for forget-me-not seeds to be distributed during these services, offering a poignant way to plant and remember the departed.
When to Plant Forget Me Not Seeds
You can plant forget-me-not seeds directly in the spring or fall, particularly in mild climates. Another option is to initiate indoor cultivation four to six weeks before the last frost, though direct sowing is the more prevalent and straightforward method.
Where to Plant Forget Me Not Seeds
Forget-me-not plants thrive in moist yet well-drained soil, exhibiting optimal growth in sun to partial shade. Frequently found along woodland edges or beside streams, they possess the ability to self-seed effortlessly. Depending on the desired level of maintenance, these plants can spread and naturalize an area within just a few years.
Forget-me-nots prefer partially shaded conditions, and is a great option for gardeners looking to add color where other varieties which require much more sun, have failed.
How to Plant Forget Me Not Seeds
If direct sowing outdoors, water your bed until the soil is moist, then lightly rake. Scatter seeds by hand onto the bed's surface. Cover the seeds very lightly with potting mix, tamp them down for good seed-to-soil contact, and keep the area moist for germination by misting the soil. When soil temperatures are warm, forget-me-nots will germinate in just a few days. Thin the seedlings to 10 to 12 inches apart so as to avoid overcrowding which may contribute to powdery mildew on the foliage.
To start indoors, sow forget-me-not seeds in the potting mix by scattering them evenly over the surface of the soil. Cover the seeds lightly with potting mix, and mist the soil with water to moisten it. Forget-me-nots grow well in bright, indirect light. Place the pot near a sunny window, but avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves. The optimal temperature range for growing forget-me-nots is between 60°F and 65°F. Use a watering can or spray bottle to water the soil gently. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Once the forget-me-nots grow too big for the pot, they can be transplanted to a larger pot or moved outdoors to the garden.
How to Care for Forget Me Nots
Forget-me-nots enjoy plenty of moisture, but not saturated soil. Perennial plants need to experience a chilling period before being able to produce flowers, which will likely be after their first year. After flowering, the entire plant will die back. If you want the forget me not plants to return, allow the dead growth to remain until the fall, so it can naturally reseed. If undesired seedlings emerge in the spring, it's simple to relocate and transplant them to a more suitable growing location. Of course, if reseeding is not welcomed, deadhead once they are done blooming.
