Family: Boraginaceae
Common Name: Forget-me-not

This genus comprises around 50 species of annuals, biennials and perennials. Those commonly cultivated come from temperate zones of Europe, Asia and America. There are also Australasian species. The dainty flowers may be blue, pink or white. They make good bedding plants and are useful for rock gardens and borders, and as groundcover under trees.

Species

M. australis, zone 8, from New Zealand, with yellow or white summer flowers, grows to 45 cm (18 in).

M. azorica, zone 9, to 45 cm (18 in), has blue flowers with white eyes in summer. Var. alba has white flowers.

M. scorpiodes (Synonym: M. palustris), zone 5, has bright blue, summer flowers with pink, white or yellow centers. It grows 15-30 cm (6-12 in) high. This species is a marginal aquatic plant that grows from a creeping rootstock, making it a good soil binder.

M. sylvatica, zone 5, grows 30-60 cm (12-24 in) high and has blueflowers with yellow eyes in spring. This is the species best known and widely used for spring bedding. Cultivars have white, pink or blue flowers.

Cultivation

Forget-me-nots do well in fertile, well-drained soil in moist, semi-shaded situations. Sow seed of annuals and biennials to be used for spring bedding in early summer in a garden frame or outdoor seed bed. Perennials are sown in spring in situ. Once established, they tend to reproduce readily by self-seeding.

Climate

There are species suited to various climatic zones. Best in cool moist climates.