Woodland forget-me-not Myosotis sylvatica
Woodland forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica) is a biennial flowering plant in the Boraginaceae family, native to Europe and temperate Asia. It grows 15–35 cm (6–14 in) tall and 15–30 cm (6–12 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -34 °C (-29 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
Plan Woodland forget-me-not in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Woodland forget-me-not at a glance
| Type | Biennial flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Boraginaceae |
| Mature height | 15–35 cm (6–14 in) |
| Mature spread | 15–30 cm (6–12 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -34 °C (-29 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F) |
| Flowering | about 43–54 weeks after planting, for 6–10 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 330 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Europe and temperate Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇳🇴 Norway |
Is Woodland forget-me-not toxic?
- People: not well documented
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Not listed by ASPCA; some Boraginaceae contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, but Myosotis is not documented as a significant poisoning risk.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Woodland forget-me-not
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
See Woodland forget-me-not in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Monet’s gardens at Giverny (70 plants)
Questions about Woodland forget-me-not
- How far apart should I plant Woodland forget-me-not?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–30 cm (6–12 in).
- Does Woodland forget-me-not need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Woodland forget-me-not need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Woodland forget-me-not?
- It tolerates about -34 °C (-29 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4. As a biennial it is usually planted out after the last frost and flowers in its second year.
- When does Woodland forget-me-not flower?
- About 43–54 weeks after planting, for 6–10 weeks.
- Is Woodland forget-me-not poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not well documented. Not listed by ASPCA; some Boraginaceae contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, but Myosotis is not documented as a significant poisoning risk.
- What grows well with Woodland forget-me-not?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Woodland forget-me-not. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Biennial or short-lived perennial; self-seeds freely and is usually renewed from seedlings rather than replanted.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Borage Borago officinalis
- Comfrey Symphytum officinale
- Lungwort (pulmonaria) Pulmonaria officinalis
- Heliotrope Heliotropium arborescens
- Tree echium (giant viper's bugloss) Echium pininana
- Virginia bluebells Mertensia virginica
- Pride of Madeira Echium candicans
- Chatham Island forget-me-not Myosotidium hortensia