The swamp forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides) enchants with its numerous blue flowers that appear throughout the summer. As in the wild, however, it needs a damp to wet location.

In a nutshell

  • is hardy and perennial
  • forms cushions with many light blue flowers
  • grows on damp and wet soils
  • ideal for planting at the edge of the pond
  • makes little demands on maintenance

Characteristics

  • Plant family: Boraginaceae
  • Botanical name: Myosotis scorpioides, rarely also Myosotis palustris
  • German name: Blue eyebright
  • Growth: upright, cushion-forming
  • Growth height: 20 to 40 centimeters
  • Foliage: hairy, deep green, evergreen
  • Flowers: light blue with a white or yellow centre, cupped, in racemes
  • Flowering period: May to September
  • Toxicity: slightly to hardly toxic

site conditions

As the name suggests, the swamp forget-me-not loves swampy locations that are in partial shade or in the sun, whereby it should be protected from the blazing midday sun on the latter. Ideal places for the aquatic plant are:

  • Shore zone at the edge of the pond
  • Swamp or bog bed
  • edge of streams

soil condition

As a water perennial, the blue eyebright needs moist to wet soil. You can plant it directly in the water up to a water level of five centimetres. At the edge of the pond, this forget-me-not species prefers a humus-rich, sandy-loamy soil.

planting

Swamp forget-me-nots grow in width. So that each plant has enough space, you should leave a distance of 20 to 30 centimeters between the water plants. The ideal planting time is from April to May or in autumn. But it is also possible to plant Myosotis scorpioides in summer. Examples of suitable plant neighbors are:

  • Yellow iris (marsh iris, Iris pseudacorus)
  • Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris)
  • Arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia)
  • Sheath cotton grass (Eriophorum vaginatum)
  • Rose primrose (Primula rosea)
  • Yellow jester flower (Mimulus luteus)

Needs-based care

The blue eyebright is an easy-care plant. It is important that the soil is always moist.

pour

In swamp or bog beds, you only have to water the aquatic plants when there is no rain and there is a risk that the soil will begin to dry out. If they stand at the edge of the pond, the plants need plenty of watering when the water level in the pond drops.

Source: AnRo0002, 20220613Myosotis scorpioides2, edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0

Fertilize & Cut

If the marsh forget-me-not is at the edge of the pond or in swampy ground, you do not need to fertilize it.

The water perennial does not need regular pruning. If uncontrolled spreading is undesirable, you should cut the plants back to the ground after flowering.

hibernate

Myosotis scorpioides is hardy down to -20°C.

multiply

The aquatic plants spread uncontrollably through self-seeding and rhizome runners. If the water perennial is to be propagated in a targeted manner, dividing the rhizome in spring is the simplest method. Put the new part plants in the desired location just as deep as they were in the old place.

Tip: In the course of the division, you can also thin out older stocks.

Alternatively, you can propagate the aquatic plant with seeds:

  • Cut off flower clusters that are fully open in summer
  • let dry
  • keep cool and dark over winter
  • sow broadly in spring
Source: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Myosotis scorpioides kz06, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tip: It is not necessary to separate the seedlings, as only the strongest will prevail.

diseases and pests

So far, nothing has been reported about diseases or pest infestations.

frequently asked Questions

How strong is the swamp forget-me-not's urge to spread?

Compared to other plants that have a rhizome, Myosotis scorpioides has little urge to spread. As a rule, the above-ground spurs are about ten centimeters long. There is therefore little danger that it will displace or overgrow other riparian plants.

Is the blue eyebright also available in other colors?

Yes, the Ice Pearl variety has white flowers. The "Pearl of Ronnenberg" blooms dark blue. You can find other cultivated forms with dark blue flowers in specialist garden shops, often under the name “Myosotis palustris Thuringia”.

Is the water shrub also suitable for the balcony pond?

In the balcony pond you should plant the marsh forget-me-not together with water lilies and reeds so that it develops well.

Category:

Garden design