- Botanical name: Myosotidium hortensia
- Common name: Chatham island forget-me-not
- Family: Boraginaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, Evergreen
Blue
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Flowers
- Succeeds on poor soil
Endemic to the Chatham Islands east of New Zealand’s South Island, Myosotidium hortensia is a striking evergreen perennial, grown for its luxuriant, deeply veined leaves and clusters of forget-me-not flowers that appear in late spring and early summer.
In the garden, Myosotidium hortensia looks great growing alongside other lovers of moist, shady conditions, like ferns and primulas.
In the wild it’s found growing on rocky and sandy stretches of coastline, which tells you something about the growing conditions it enjoys. For best results, grow Myosotidium hortensia in a humus-rich, moist but free-draining soil in partial to full shade. It’s half-hardy, so can take light frosts and is best grown in a mild location. An exposed, coastal position is suitable, as long as it’s not subjected to excessively cold or drying winds. A regular seaweed mulch while in active growth will keep it happy.
How to grow Myosotidium hortensia
-
Plant size
60cm height
80cm spread
-
Aspect
North facing, east facing
-
Position in border
Front
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full shade, partial shade
- Shade type: Damp
- Hardiness: Half hardy
- Soil type: Clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do not Sow in March |
A
Do not Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do Sow in September |
O
Do Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do not Divide in April |
M
Do not Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Myosotidium hortensia and wildlife
Myosotidium hortensia is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Myosotidium hortensia poisonous?
Myosotidium hortensia has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Myosotidium hortensia
