Chinese Forget Me Not Seeds - Cynoglossum amabile - Blue Beauty Wildflower - Seed Packet

Ever a favorite, these dainty blue flowers will charm any heart. This annual Asian variety has slightly larger flowers and rougher foliage than true Forget Me Not, but grows faster, and produces blooms sooner.
This Asian wildflower has slightly larger flowers and rougher foliage than its more well-known European counterpart. The genus name "Cynoglossum," meaning "hound's tongue," is derived from the resemblance of the coarse leaves to a dog's tongue. Cynoglossum amabile won the prestigious All-American Selections Award in 1939, and Chinese Forget-Me-Not seeds have been a garden favorite ever since.

Sowing: Direct sow Chinese Forget-Me-Not seeds in early spring after the last frost. Sow 1/4" below the surface and keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which should occur in 7-10 days. Cynoglossum amabile can be fall planted in regions with warm winters. To start the seed indoors, plant it in a flat or individual peat pots 6-8 weeks before the last frost of spring. Keep the soil consistently moist and at a temperature of 70 degrees F until germination. Transplant after the last frost.

Growing: Water the seedlings during their first few weeks of growth. Mature plants tolerate dry soil quite well, and will only need occasional watering in drought conditions; they may flop over in rich or moist soil. These plants will readily reseed themselves, and can spread in good growing conditions. If this is undesirable, cut the plant back after the blossoms fade to prevent the seed heads from forming. This plant attracts bees and butterflies.

Harvesting: For fresh flowers, cut the stems near the ground and place them in water immediately; strip the leaves that will fall below the water.