skip to main content

Forget-me-nots or myosotis sylvatica browning out?

13 years ago

I've had several plants in my various beds over the last couple years and they look great in the spring, but by summer (like now) they are all brown and gnarly looking. I do try to keep them well watered. Some are in part shade, some in full sun. The same happens.

To make matters worse, I noticed today that I can pull out the plant stems with just no force from me. They just lift right out of the ground! Is this normal for these? Will any come back next spring? They are so gorgeous.

You know, it's funny, the ones that I have in full sun all day do better than the ones in part shade! And, these are supposed to like some shade???

I bought more from Garden Crossings to replace the ones in my hosta bed that got browned out, but I'm wondering if that was even necessary, because they supposedly seed themselves.

Anyone else have this problem and if so, what do you do to keep the plant going?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

schoolhouse_gw
13 years ago
The plants are just dying back. In fact, you should be seeing millions of little baby forget-me-nots all over, because they do self-seed. I tend to pull up the old plants because of their appearance and still have plenty of them in the Spring. To tell you the truth, I really don't know if the parent plants come back. I've trimmed the seed heads and dead foliage off before but honestly can't tell you if they grow again.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
a true biennial ... those that bloomed profusely this spring.. were in their second year.. and are dying ....

they ARE USUALLY LEFT TO SEED... AND AS NOTED... YOUR BABES should be appearing....

if you want them in a new spot.. cut all the uglies off.. tie them in a bundle.. and put the bundle where you want them.. with a stick holding them there... and next spring you will see the bundle.. and a bunch of new plants ...

good luck

ken
Related Discussions
Forget-Me-Nots
Q
Comments (6)
I have myosotis palustris 'Semperflorens'. That's the perennial f-m-n. Mine bloom from mid spring thru Sept. in flushes. I trim the flower stems back when they're done so they bloom again. This will be their 5th yr. Last year they really started to spread. I've read other posts where the annuals reseed very easily on their own. Some perennial plants do take a year before they bloom. I wouldn't give up on them yet. I don't know about the annual ones, but the perennial ones don't like to dry out. Mine get full morning sun, but I'm in the northern part of the country, so by you they may do well with just a few hours of morning sun. I also mulch mine so they don't dry out fast. I hope you get lots of beautiful blue flowers this spring! Enjoy!! Kat
...See More
Pink Forget Me Nots
Q
Comments (14)
Hmmm, the mystery deepens, but what a lovely mystery it is. Might all mysteries be so lovely, with so many helpful people aiding and enlightening the ignorant one. Thank you Missy for the info and thank you Alyrics for the rare article. It was very informative, as was your post. Forget me nots, like corydalis lutea, are an easy small plant that for some reason doesn't get praised enough in the press. I suspect this might be because they are so easy and as such overlooked compared to, lets say, the impossible challenge of trying to grow blue poppies in a hot, humid climate (Hmmmm--if one had the means of slightly refrigerating the garden it might just be possible. You'd have to control the humitity too. I can see it now, 3 hired gardeners and 4 machines, all shredding 100 money as fast as they can, all hovering over one small blooming plant;-) Missy, I saw pictures of your rose arbor elsewhere, and now I am picturing it with pink forget me nots around it(whether that is where you planted them or not.) You must have a wonderful garden. Springcherry
...See More
Do deer leave your forget-me-nots alone?
Q
Comments (6)
mine are biennial. ... moving them would be a waste of time ... you gather up spent flowers.. and seed them into the area where you want them.. and let them do the work ... regarding mine.. the ones that flowered this year.. will be dead next year .... those that came up from this seasons seed .. will flower next year and die ... the definition of biennial ... maybe its a zonal thing???? make sure before you do a lot of work.. or make sure you are taking the babes.. not the mature ones .... ken
...See More
Forget-me-not Newbie
Q
Comments (8)
There are annual, perennial and biennial forget me nots. The m. sylvatica and m. palustris are perennials. I've heard the annual ones can be invasive, but the ones I have, m. palustris, haven't caused me any problems in the 4 yrs I've had them. Peggy, I don't know how they'd do by you. Both the perennials I've mentioned don't like to dry out. Mine are in full morning sun and I've seen them further up north in my state where they get almost full sun, but they were always by lake shores where it's moist. If you do try them, I'd put them in a spot that gets only early morning sun and mulch them too. I've never tried winter sowing, so I don't know how that would work. Kat
...See More
buyorsell888
13 years ago
I always pull them out after bloom, they get powdery mildew here really badly. They seed far more than I want anyway.
kentstar
Original Author
13 years ago
I think I saw a bunch of new ones. Unfortunately, when I cut back I cut after bloom and tossed them away. But, there are still plenty more in the beds to get more. I never thought about bundling and leaving the bundle in place for babies. Good idea!

Thanks
Cathy

Related Stories

HOUSEKEEPING 20 Things You Might Be Forgetting to Spring-Clean

By Laura Gaskill

Clean these often-neglected areas and your house will look and feel better

LIFE 8 Ways to Tailor Your Home for You, Not Resale

By Laura Gaskill

Planning to stay put for a few years? Forget resale value and design your home for the way you live

WINTER GARDENING 6 Reasons I’m Not Looking Forward to Spring

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Not kicking up your heels anticipating rushes of spring color and garden catalogs? You’re not alone

LIFE 'Not My Precious Books!' — Pain-Free Ways to Declutter Your Library

By Alison Hodgson

Have your books and neatness too, with these ideas for paring down and straightening up a beloved collection

HOLIDAYS Christmas Cleanup Tips for the Not Naturally Organized

By Alison Hodgson

Dreading the postholiday chores? First let yourself unwind. Then grab some boxes, a few supplies and this easy guide

KITCHEN DESIGN Displaying Kitchen Supplies — Hot or Not?

By Lisa Frederick

Do some kitchens just beg for a cozy row of canisters and gear for all to see? Have a look and let us know what you think

FALL GARDENING 7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax

MOST POPULAR Decorating 101: How Much Is This Going to Cost Me?

Learn what you might spend on DIY decorating, plus where it’s good to splurge or scrimp

Let's Dish! Did You Watch the Flipping Out Premiere?

By Becky Harris

Contemporary Remodel Kicks off Design Show's New Season. What Did You Think?

LIFE Design Lessons My Mother Taught Me

By Luisa Rollenhagen

In honor of Mother’s Day, professionals on Houzz reflect on the design and style wisdom their mothers passed on

Sponsored

More Discussions

Hellebores...what speeds up growth?

15

Hot Lip Salvia reverted to sold reds and whites

9

Your MAY 2024 highlights

11

Is my redwood making cones?

4

On-going photo essay "25 years of gardening" is in KT, if interested

6