Forget-me-not Indigo compacta flowers with very attractive, bright blue, small flowers with a contrasting bright yellow centre. This small plant doesn't grow very tall, but it is a very striking addition to any garden. It provides a lot of colour, especially in early spring, which is why it is often planted together with tulips. For a small plant, it has a considerable impact at a time of year when there isn't much colour to be found in the garden. It is also very suitable as ground cover and even thrives in very wet soil. Forget-me-nots originate from the colder and temperate countries of Europe, North Africa and Asia. This charming and striking plant is quite common in the wild in the Netherlands and is also a popular garden plant. Forget-me-nots are also known as Bird’s eye, Robin’s eye, Mammy-flower, Snake-grass and Love-me. Forget-me-nots are members of the Boraginaceae family, which also includes: borage, garlic tree, field dog's tongue, snake herb, prickly seed, alpine forget-me-not, wood forget-me-not, wood lily, bee food, comfrey, narrow lungwort, common comfrey and brunnera.
Plant this plant in loose, humus-rich soil with plenty of sun. Forget-me-not is very popular with bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects. It is an important source of food for these insects in the spring. It is a plant that spreads very easily. This makes it suitable for bee and butterfly gardens, natural gardens and wild gardens. This plant is also commonly found in oak and beech forests with nutrient-rich soil. Forget-me-not indigo compacta is very easy to grow. Forget-me-not flowers from April till August. Non evergreen, hardy biennial. Height: 20 - 25 cm.
Òutdoor sowing: May - beginning of July
Germination: 10 -14 days
Germination temp.: 15 - 20 °C
Sowing depth: 3 mm
Planting distance: 15 - 20 cm
Distance between the rows: 30 cm
Plant position: sunny till half shaded
Flowering period: 2nd year after sowing April - August
Sow from May to early July in a prepared seedbed in a sunny spot with some shade. Enrich the soil with extra fertiliser. Sow in rows 30 cm apart. Because forget-me-nots are light germinators, the seeds shouldn't be covered too deeply. It is better to gently rake the seeds into the soil. Keep the soil moist and weed-free during germination.
The young seedlings will emerge after 10 -14 days. When the young seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be thinned out to 10 cm apart. In September - October, the plants can be moved to their final location. Choose a sunny spot with some partial shade. Also ensure that the soil is well fertilised and slightly moist. Keep 15 - 20 cm between the plants. Protect the young plants from severe frost in winter. Self-seeds easily after flowering. This plant is often combined with tulips in contrasting colours. It is an important source of food in spring for bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.
