Chinese Forget-Me-Not
With delicate little flowers, the Chinese forget-me-not is good for edging and rock gardens. It is spectacular in mass plantings.
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N/A |
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Cynoglossum amabile |
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Easy |
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Intermediate |
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2 years if properly stored |
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Annual/Biennial |
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7-14 days |
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12-16” |
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Need dark to germinate Partial shade will tolerate full sun |
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Usually in the second year after the plant has experienced a chilling period. |
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February, March, and August |
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Yes |
Growing Tips
When to start
Spring: Direct sow about a month before the last frost (March for GA). Or start indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting.
Transplant: After hardening off and the danger of frost has passed.
Mid-Summer: Direct sow.
How to Start
Chinese forget-me-not can grow in full sun or partial shade but they prefer partial shade. They aren’t terribly fussy about soil as long as it drains well. Choose a well-draining site in full sun or partial shade for forget-me-nots. To try for same-year blooms, direct sow about a month before the last frost.
Moisten the soil before sowing seeds. Chinese forget-me-nots need dark to germinate. Sow to a depth of 1/8 inch. Keep the soil evenly moist. They’ll sprout in about two weeks. Thin the seedlings when they’re 2 to 3 inches tall and have developed at least two sets of true leaves. Space them about 6 to 8 inches apart. Water the forget-me-nots just enough to keep the soil surface evenly moist throughout the growing season.
Care
To get second-year blooms, direct sow late spring or mid-Summer. According to Edenbrothers.com, this mid-Summer sowing will give you the best results. They recommend covering the seeds with cardboard for a few days to keep the soil moist. After a few days remove the cardboard and keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Chinese forget-me-nots like moisture, but not overly wet conditions. They will bloom after experiencing a cold period, this is typically in the second year. After flowering, the plants will die back. Allow the dead growth to remain until Fall for reseeding.
Seed Saving
Isolation Distance
Insect dependent for pollination. Isolate varieties by 1/2 mile to prevent cross-pollination.
Instructions
Select healthy, robust plants free of any signs of disease or insect infestation for seeds. Seeds carry the traits of the parent plant. Choose plants that exhibit the traits you wish to preserve. Consider bloom size, color, and shape, as well as blooming time.
Allow the biggest and healthiest blooms to mature on the plant. Cover the seed head with a fine-mesh bag as soon as the flower petals shrivel and die. Use an elastic band to hold the bag in place. This prevents seeds from spilling onto the soil before harvest.
Clip the flower head from the main stem once the seeds are dry and dark. Separate plant debris from the seeds by removing the mesh bag and placing the flower head in a paper bag and shaking to loosen the seeds. Seeds settle to the bottom of the bag. Remove plant debris by hand.
Features
- Attracts pollinators and hummingbirds
- Deer resistant
- Good cut flowers
- Drought tolerant
- Poor soil and wet soil tolerant
- Container friendly
- Easy maintenance
Early Spring planting usually (but not always) results in blooms the same year.
Late Spring to mid-Summer planting will result in blooms the second year after experiencing cold.
Plants are a good re-seeder.