When to Plant Forget Me Nots

Forget-me-nots are usually planted in late summer to early autumn if you're growing them from seed. This timing allows the plants to establish a strong root system before winter and ensures they’re ready to flower the following spring. You can also plant nursery-grown seedlings or young plants in early spring, though these may bloom slightly later. Autumn planting generally produces fuller, more natural-looking displays.

Can You Plant Forget Me Nots in Winter

Winter is not ideal for planting forget-me-nots, especially if you're starting from seed. Cold, wet soil slows down or halts germination, and young plants are more likely to suffer frost damage if planted in harsh winter conditions. If you’ve missed the autumn sowing window, wait until early spring when the soil begins to warm up and conditions improve. However, in milder regions or with protection such as a cold frame, late winter planting may be possible for hardy plug plants.

When Do Forget Me Nots Bloom

Forget-me-nots typically bloom from April to June in the UK. If planted in autumn, they will form a leafy rosette over winter and flower the following spring. Their flowers are small but striking, most commonly bright blue with a yellow centre, though pink and white varieties are also available. After flowering, they often self-seed, which contributes to their natural spread in gardens.

How to Grow Forget Me Not

Forget-me-nots prefer cool, moist conditions and thrive in partial shade. They’re especially suited to woodland edges, shaded borders, and areas where you want a naturalised look. They’re adaptable and will grow in a range of soil types, but avoid overly dry or sandy ground. Once established, they require very little care and will often seed themselves freely.

Where Would I Grow Forget Me Nots

Forget-me-nots grow well in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. They are ideal for underplanting with spring bulbs, adding colour to shady garden paths, or softening the edges of borders. In more informal gardens, they can be allowed to self-seed freely. They’re also suitable for pots and containers, provided they’re kept moist. Avoid full sun in dry soils, which can stress the plants and reduce flowering.

Can You Grow Forget Me Not from Seed

Forget-me-nots are very easy to grow from seed. Sow seeds in late summer, either directly into the ground or into seed trays. Thin them out once the seedlings are large enough to handle, and transplant them to their final positions in autumn. Seeds need light to germinate, so only press them into the surface rather than burying them. Self-sown plants usually pop up naturally in spring without much effort.

How to Plant Forget Me Not

When planting forget-me-nots, space them about 15 to 20cm apart to allow for spreading. Whether using young plants or self-seeded clumps, plant them in moist soil and water well after planting. Autumn is the best time for planting for a spring bloom, though container-grown plants can also be planted in spring. Gently firm them in and keep them watered during dry spells to help them settle in.

How to Care for Forget Me Not

Forget-me-nots are low-maintenance. Keep the soil moist, especially during dry weather, and remove spent flowers to prolong blooming. After flowering, you can leave the plants to self-seed or cut them back if you want to control spread. If they become too dominant, pull up unwanted seedlings in spring. Refreshing your planting every couple of years with fresh seed or divisions can keep displays tidy.

Pests and Diseases

Forget-me-nots are generally trouble-free, but they can be affected by mildew, especially in overcrowded or dry conditions. Good air circulation and adequate watering help reduce the risk. Occasionally, slugs and snails may target young seedlings. Aphids can appear in late spring, but usually don’t cause serious harm and can be managed with regular checks.

Do Forget Me Nots Come Back Every Year?

Most forget-me-nots grown in the UK are biennial, meaning they grow one year and flower the next. However, they reseed so prolifically that they often behave like perennials, returning each year without being replanted. Some varieties, like Myosotis sylvatica, are short-lived perennials and will survive for more than one season in the right conditions.

Are Forget Me Nots Invasive in the UK?

Forget-me-nots can become invasive if left unchecked, especially in damp or shaded areas where they thrive. While they’re not officially classed as an invasive species, they do self-seed aggressively and can spread quickly throughout borders or lawns. If you want to manage them, remove seed heads after flowering and pull up unwanted seedlings early in the season.

Timing is everything with forget-me-nots, especially because most are biennial. That means you plant them one year to enjoy flowers the next. If you sow seeds in late summer, usually from July to September, the plants have time to develop strong rosettes before winter. These basal leaves survive the cold and set the stage for spring blooms. Autumn-sown forget-me-nots are often sturdier, more compact, and flower earlier than those planted in spring.

If you miss that window, you can still plant in early spring, but you’ll either get a shorter bloom period or end up with mostly foliage in the first year. Spring planting works best with nursery-bought plugs or seedlings rather than starting from seed. It’s ideal for filling gaps or freshening up an area that already has an established base of forget-me-nots.

Forget-me-nots are also a perfect candidate for self-seeding. Once you've planted them initially, they tend to take care of themselves. But naturalising them properly takes some planning. If you deadhead too soon, you’ll prevent reseeding. If you let everything go to seed, they can overwhelm a bed or creep into areas where you didn’t intend to grow them. Striking a balance is key: let a few plants go to seed and remove the rest.

Their ability to reseed is why they’re often planted with bulbs like tulips, daffodils, or hyacinths. You plant both in autumn, and they bloom together in spring. The forget-me-nots fill in the base while the bulbs shoot upwards, creating a layered effect. After flowering, you can cut back the forget-me-nots and allow the bulbs to die back naturally.

If you’re trying to mimic a natural woodland look or cottage garden aesthetic, sowing forget-me-nots in rough patches or along borders in late summer is a good move. Just keep in mind that good airflow, light shade, and a little control each spring will help stop them from becoming too dominant.

Want to turn this into a broader guide on self-seeding spring flowers or shade-loving plants that naturalise well?