Myosotis sylvatica

Myosotis sylvatica detail (19/03/2011, London)

Position: Full sun to shade

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Spring to early summer

Eventual Height: 30cm

Eventual Spread: 30cm

Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Boraginaceae

Myosotis sylvatica is a hairy biennial with a tufted habit. It can be grown as a short lived perennial. It has slightly hairy ovate to elliptic, grey-green leaves. It bears saucer shaped, yellow eyed blue flowers that open blue to pink.

Myosotis sylvatica , commonly known as the Forget-me-not or Mouse-ears, is native to Europe and Asia, including the UK. In its native setting it grows in wet woodland and at the edges of water bodies.

The etymological root of the binomial name Myosotis is from the Latin mus meaning ‘mouse’ and auris meaning ‘ear’. Sylvatica is derived from old Latin meaning ‘of the woods’.

Myosotis sylvatica (19/03/2011, London)

Myosotis sylvatica can be useful to the landscape architect as part of a naturalist planting scheme, as under planting for taller bulbs and herbaceous plant material or in a natural woodland setting. It readily goes to seed and will propagate itself happily. However in damper springs this plant may be susceptible to mildew.

Ecologically, Myosotis sylvatica will attract the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Xestia c-nigrum and pollinating insects with its nectar.

Myosotis sylvatica prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate dry soils.

Myosotis sylvatica requires little maintenance. As this plant propagates itself readily the seedlings may need to be thinned each spring.