by Kelly Szymanski

Created on: March 31, 2008

Forget-me-nots are quick growing, fragrant mounds of pink, blue or white flowers that brighten the spring garden. Some varieties, such as "Ultramarine", are annuals. Others like "White Ball", are perennials, coming back year after year to brighten your shad garden. They bloom in early spring and, if cut back, may bloom again in early summer.

Both the annual and perennial varieties have small, oval shaped hairy leaves. The leaves of perennial varieties are somewhat thicker than those of their annual counterparts. Perennial varieties are generally more tolerant of less than perfect conditions.

In order to ensure the best environment for your Forget-me-nots, start soil preparation in the fall. Choose a site that gets at least partial shade. Forget-me-nots can tolerate full sun, but will be at their best in shadier areas. Add compost or well rotted manure to the chosen site, thoroughly digging it in.

In spring, buy plants that already have buds. If you get them without buds, you probably won't get flowers until next year. Plant in prepared soil at the same level it sat in its pot. Space them about 8 inches apart. For the most aesthetically pleasing arrangement, plant an odd number of plants in a grouping. Growing about 12-16 inches in height with a spread of about 7-8 inches, they will quickly fill in the bed.

Forget-me-nots need rich, well drained, moist soil. Water regularly. Add some compost around the base of the plants to help retain moisture. Cut back spent blooms and leggy stems to keep them looking their best. Plant them with Hostas, Ferns or other leafy plants that share their preference for moist, shady areas. As the Forget-me-nots start to die back, the foliage of the other plants will help hide their fading blooms.

Be careful not to let the soil get too dry. If you do, they are more likely to develop mildew. If you see a white powdery film on any of your Forget-me-nots, pull them out at the root and throw them away. Don't add infected vegetation to your compost pile.

Forget-me-nots are wonderful self-seeders. Lay the spent blooms you cut around the plants to encourage next years growth. Perennial varieties do well when carefully moved from one place to another so if your bed starts getting overcrowded, don't hesitate to dig a few of them out and transplant them.

As fall approaches, be sure to take advantage of the spent flower heads by either laying them on the soil or shaking the seeds directly onto the soil. Mulch around the perennial varieties to help them survive the winter.

Annual Forget-me-nots look great in a rock garden. They will quickly spread and grow around the stones. Perennial Forget-me-nots look beautiful under a tree and paired with wildflowers, Daffodils, Tulips or Hostas. Wherever you plant them, be sure to stop from time to time to enjoy their wonderful fragrance.

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