When to Plant Forget-Me-Nots
Who doesn’t like forget-me-nots? True, they aren’t very attractive when they die back after blooming but, in the meantime, they have an uncomplicated, endearing nature that is trouble free and easy. Forget-me-nots are very hardy little plants that die back in winter but will re-sprout in spring. Plants that are at least a year old will flower the next spring. These little blue bloomers are so unfussy you can plant them almost anywhere at any time and expect some flowers within the next year and a half. Forget-me-nots are usually biennial, which means they flower and die in the second year. This is when they set seed too, which they wantonly release everywhere. Once you have forget-me-nots in your garden, it is rarely necessary to plant seed. The little plants can be left to overwinter and then get moved to wherever you want them in early spring. If you want to start some plants for the first time, seeding them is easy. The best time to plant forget-me-not seeds is in spring to August if you want to have blooms the following season. Early spring seeded plants may produce flowers by fall. If you are willing to wait a season for blooms, sow the seeds in fall. The plants will produce flowers a year from the next spring.
Tips on Forget-Me-Not Seed Planting
For proven success, site selection and soil amendment will get you off on the right foot when planting forget-me-nots. The quickest, healthiest plants will come from seeds planted in well-worked soil, with superior drainage, and plenty of organic matter. Pick a location with partial shade or at the very least, protection from the hottest rays of the day. You may also sow the seeds indoors three weeks before the last expected frost. This will give you earlier blooms. For outdoor sowing, plant seeds with 1/8 inch (3 ml.) of soil lightly sprinkled over them in early spring when soil is workable. Seeds will germinate in 8 to 14 days if kept moderately moist. Thin to 10 inches (25 cm.) apart to allow room for adult plants. Plant indoor sown forget-me-not outdoors after acclimating plants to outside conditions over the course of a few days.
Care of Forget-Me-Nots
Forget-me-nots like plenty of moisture, but not boggy soil. They have few pest or disease issues, but do tend to get powdery mildew at the end of their life. Plants need to experience a chilling period to force buds and large enough to produce flowers too, which is usually after a year of growth. Once they have flowered, the entire plant will die. Leaves and stems dry out and generally get gray. If you want more flowers in that site, leave plants in place until fall to allow the seeds to sow themselves naturally. Once the little seeds have formed small plants, you can relocate them to other areas of the garden for enchanting notes of blue in low light areas.
