If you’re planning a small garden, one of the first questions you might ask is about plant size. So, how tall do forget me nots grow? These charming flowers are a classic choice for compact spaces, typically reaching a modest height that won’t overwhelm your beds or borders. Their gentle, sky-blue blooms bring a soft, cottage-garden feel to any nook or container.
This article will give you all the details on their growth, plus practical tips to make them thrive in your limited space. You’ll learn about different varieties, planting partners, and simple care steps for seasons of color.
How Tall Do Forget Me Nots Grow
Forget me nots (Myosotis) are generally low-growing plants. Most common garden varieties reach a mature height of 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm). Their spread is often similar, creating a lovely, mounding clump of foliage covered in flowers.
Some types can get a bit taller under ideal conditions, but they rarely exceed 18 inches. This predictable, compact size is exactly what makes them perfect for small gardens. You can confidently place them at the front of a border or in a tiny patio pot without worry of them blocking other plants.
Forget Me Not Varieties and Their Heights
Not all forget me nots are identical. Knowing the specific type helps you plan better. Here are the most common ones you’ll find:
* Woodland Forget Me Not (Myosotis sylvatica): This is the most popular garden type. It usually grows 6-12 inches tall. It’s a biennial, meaning it flowers in its second year, then often sets seed and starts the cycle again.
* Alpine Forget Me Not (Myosotis alpestris): A true perennial, this variety is even more compact. It typically stays between 4 to 8 inches tall, making it ideal for rock gardens or the very front edge of a path.
* Water Forget Me Not (Myosotis scorpioides): As the name suggests, this one loves damp soil and can even grow in shallow water at a pond’s edge. It tends to be a bit taller, sometimes reaching up to 18 inches, with a creeping habit.
Why Their Size is Perfect for Small Gardens
Their modest stature offers several big advantages for small-scale gardening:
* Front-of-Border Stars: They fit perfectly at the front of raised beds or narrow borders, providing color without creating a visual block.
* Container Champions: They thrive in pots, window boxes, and hanging baskets. A single container can provide a full season of blooms.
* Ground Cover Potential: Planted close together, they form a beautiful, flowering carpet that suppresses weeds—a major bonus in small, low-maintenance gardens.
* Compatible Companions: Their height lets you layer plants beautifully. You can plant taller blooms like tulips or alliums behind them for a stunning, multi-level effect.
Planting and Growing Forget Me Not Success
Getting these beauties to reach their perfect height is easy. They are not fussy plants, but a few key steps ensure a great display.
Choosing the Right Spot
Light and soil are the most important factors. Forget me nots prefer cool, moist conditions.
* Sunlight: They do best in partial shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal. In cooler climates, they can tolerate full sun if the soil stays moist. In hot areas, shade is crucial to prevent them from scorching and fading quickly.
* Soil: Aim for moist, well-draining soil that’s rich in organic matter. They like consistency—soil that doesn’t dry out completely but also doesn’t get waterlogged.
Simple Planting Steps
You can start them from seed or buy young plants from a nursery.
1. For Seeds: Sow seeds directly in the garden in late spring or early summer. Barely cover them with soil, as they need light to germinate. Keep the area moist. These plants will grow leaves in the first year and flower the following spring.
2. For Transplants: In early spring or fall, dig a small hole just a bit larger than the plant’s root ball.
3. Place the plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
4. Backfill with soil and gently firm it down around the base.
5. Water thoroughly to settle the roots in.
Caring for Your Forget Me Nots
Once established, these plants require minimal care, which is another reason they’re superb for small, busy gardens.
* Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry spells, to keep the soil consistently moist. Container plants will need watering more frequently.
* Feeding: They don’t need heavy feeding. A light application of a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer in early spring is plenty. Too much fertilizer can lead to more leaves than flowers.
* Deadheading: To keep the plant looking tidy and encourage more blooms, pinch off spent flowers. However, if you want them to self-seed for next year, leave some flowers on the plant at the end of the season to drop their seeds.
* End-of-Season Care: After flowering, you can cut the plants back to the ground. In favorable locations, they will readily self-seed, creating new plants for next year without any effort from you.
Perfect Plant Pairings
In a small garden, every plant pairing counts. Here are some excellent companions that share similar growing conditions and complement forget me nots:
* Spring Bulbs: The blue flowers look stunning with late daffodils, tulips, and especially white narcissi. The forget me nots hide the dying bulb foliage.
* Other Shade-Lovers: Combine them with hostas, ferns, or astilbe for a textured, shade garden display.
* Cottage Garden Favorites: Foxgloves, primroses, and violas make wonderful partners, creating a romantic, layered look.
Common Problems and Simple Solutions
Even easy plants can face a few issues. Here’s what to watch for:
* Powdery Mildew: This white fungus on leaves can happen in dry soil or poor air circulation. Prevent it by watering at the soil level (not the leaves) and ensuring good spacing between plants.
* Slugs and Snails: These pests love the tender leaves. Use organic deterrents like crushed eggshells, beer traps, or iron phosphate bait.
* Leggy Growth: If plants become tall and spindly, they are likely not getting enough light. Try moving them to a brighter spot (but not full hot sun) or thin them out for better air flow.
FAQ About Forget Me Nots
Do forget me nots come back every year?
They are often grown as biennials. This means the plant itself may not return, but it self-seeds so readily that new plants appear each year, creating a reliable perennial display.
Can forget me nots grow in full shade?
They can tolerate full shade, but flowering will be significantly reduced. For the best bloom, aim for a spot with some morning sun or dappled light throughout the day.
Are forget me nots invasive?
In some regions with perfect conditions, they can self-seed prolifically. To control their spread, simply deadhead most of the spent flowers before they go to seed. It’s easy to pull unwanted seedlings in the spring if they pop up where you don’t want them.
What is the best time to plant forget me not seeds?
Sow seeds outdoors in late spring or early summer. This gives the plants time to establish themselves as small rosettes before winter, ready to burst into bloom the following spring.
How wide do forget me not plants spread?
A single plant can spread 6 to 12 inches, similar to its height. When allowed to naturalize, they will form a dense, flowering ground cover over time.
Forget me nots prove that great things come in small packages. Their predictable height, effortless care, and charming appearance make them a truly perfect choice for any small garden. By providing a little shade and consistent moisture, you’ll be rewarded with a cloud of delicate blue blooms that return season after season, filling your compact space with timeless beauty.