The Chinese forget-me-not flower is a pretty plant native to Asia that is now popular around the world as an ornamental. It is considered invasive in some areas. Learn more about this species before deciding whether or not it belongs in your garden. If you choose to grow it, take care to avoid letting it spread or naturalize.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Cynoglossum amabile, the Chinese hound’s tongue or Chinese forget-me-not, is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, native to Asia.
A hardy annual growing to 50 cm (20 in). The leaves of Chinese forget-me-not are grayish-green, oval, and long, and the growth habit is full and bushy. The real show, though, are the flowers. They resemble forget-me-nots and grow in spectacular sprays with multiple small blooms. The color is usually blue, but they can also be pink or white.
This plant, closely related to the common forget-me-not of temperate gardens (Myosotis sylvatica), is also grown as an ornamental. In cultivation in the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
The Latin specific epithet amabile means “lovely”.
Cynoglossum amabile contains tumorigenic pyrrolizidine alkaloids such as amabiline.
Chinese forget-me-not is best grown in regions without hot, dry summers. Alternatively, you can grow them in spring and again in fall. Under the right conditions, they will bloom from spring to the first frost, but they often die back and then fail to bloom in fall if the summer weather is too hot.
Because they reseed so readily, some people consider Chinese forget-me-nots to be invasive. You can check with your local extension office to determine if it is invasive in your state.
In general, although Chinese forget-me-nots like to re-seed, they don’t easily escape cultivation like many other non-native plants. If you are concerned, plant your flowers well away from natural areas or grow them in containers.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Chinese forget-me-not grows best in full sun (at least six hours of sunlight per day), but it can tolerate partial shade as long as plants receive two to six hours of sunlight per day. In warmer regions, plant Chinese forget-me-not in a spot that gets afternoon shade to protect it from summer heat.
Temperature and Humidity
Chinese forget-me-not is considered a cool-weather annual that can be seeded before the last frost in spring, but mature plants are not cold-hardy and will die back with the first frost in fall. Hot, humid summer weather can affect Chinese forget-me-not ability to bloom through fall.
Watering
Hound’s tongue thrives in moist soil with regular watering, but does not tolerate standing water. When the soil feels dry to the touch, it’s time to water it again. Overwatering can lead to fungal growth on the stems, leaves, and flowers. Water sparingly in the winter to prevent wilting.
Soil
This plant prefers loamy, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter to hold moisture and add nutrients. Chinese forget-me-not doesn’t do well in heavy clay soils, but it can tolerate fair to poor-quality soil.
Fertilizing
Chinese forget-me-not needs only minimal fertilizing once a year with an all-purpose fertilizer or organic compost mixed into the soil. The plant receives most of its nutrients from the soil or potting mix if grown in containers.
Pruning
Pruning isn’t required for these fast-growing plants, but you may want to cut them back after flowering and collect the seed heads to prevent plants from taking over the rest of your garden bed.
Propagation
Chinese forget-me-not is an annual or biennial that blooms in its first year and grows easily from seed, so it’s typically direct-seeded rather than propagated via other methods.
How to Grow from Seed
Chinese forget-me-not grows readily from seed and self-seeds widely. Direct sow seeds three to four weeks before the last frost in your region. In warmer regions, you may plant seeds in fall for spring germination. Cover seeds with a quarter-inch layer of soil and keep the soil evenly moist. Seeds should sprout within seven to ten days. Though it’s not officially designated as invasive, Chinese forget-me-not will readily reseed itself once established.
Transplanting
For beautiful Chinese forget-me-not blooms, transplant from spring (S1) to early summer (S2), the perfect time for root establishment. Garden placements with full sun or partial shade ensure thriving growth! Remember, transplant only when required, as roots don’t love frequent disturbance.
Pests and Diseases
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Chinese forget-me-not doesn’t typically have problems with insects or plant diseases. Avoid overwatering and give plants adequate space to prevent fungal issues.
Common Problems
White Spots on Leaves
Pale, powdery spots on Chinese forget-me-not leaves can indicate powdery mildew. If only a small portion of the planting is affected, you can pull, bag, and throw those plant parts in the trash to help prevent the mildew from spreading. Keeping foliage dry by watering soil directly can help prevent powdery mildew, but it may still be an issue in very warm, humid weather.
Brown Spots on Leaves
Brown spots on the foliage of Chinese forget-me-not, especially the undersides of leaves, can indicate a fungal infection from downy mildew. Prevention is similar to powdery mildew.
Plants Wilting
If plants are drooping or wilting, lack of water may be the cause if the weather has been very hot and dry. Water plants deeply, and water every few days when it doesn’t rain going forward. In extreme heat, it may be best to water daily or every other day.
III. Types of Chinese Forget-Me-Not
- ‘Blue Showers’: This cultivar features clouds of small, bright blue blooms and tall, upright stems that are ideal for floral bouquets.
- ‘Firmament’: The sprays of true blue flowers on this cultivar have a slightly scalloped edge.
- ‘Mystic Pink’: This variety offers pale pink flowers with purple centers and stems that reach two feet tall.
- ‘White’: As its name indicates, this cultivar features clouds of tiny white flowers with pale yellow centers.
IV. Uses and Benefits
Ideal for gorgeous cut flowers, Chinese forget-me-nots are elegant and visually appealing treasured spring flowers that add beauty to your garden landscape.
Their beautiful designs make them top the wishlist of almost every gardener.
Since it is an annual crop, unlike its traditional biennial types, it doesn’t have a bloom time after every two years.
Let your garden maintain a picturesque landscape every year with its annual flowers.
Chinese forget-me-nots are celebrated as garden ornament groundcovers and are widely used in wedding bouquet work.
Deciduous foliage also looks great in your garden’s flowerbeds and woodland spots of the garden and may be considered for decoration in your room.
While traditional forget-me-nots are often classified as edible plants, Chinese forget-me-nots are mildly toxic and harmful for human and animal consumption.
Great companion options are Calendula, Larkspur, Sweet Peas, Valerian, Agrostemma, and Zinnia.
