- Ornamental plant and wild herb in many species
- Where is the forget-me-not native?
- Why does the forget-me-not bear his name?
Originally, the forget-me-not was a wild plant that was common on the banks and in the forest. The pretty spring flower was not cultivated as an ornamental plant for the garden until the 19th century. There are now many different varieties that can be annual, biennial or perennial.
The field forget-me-not inspires with its delicate flowers
Ornamental plant and wild herb in many species
| German name | botanical name | annual/biennial/perennial | height | location | heyday | particularities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| forest forget-me-not | Myosotis sylvatica | biennial | up to 30 centimeters | wood edge | May | |
| Alpine forget-me-nots | Myosotis alpestris | perennial | up to 20 centimeters | Alps | June July | |
| field forget-me-not | Myosotis arvensis | annual and biennial | up to 50 centimeters | fields and meadows | April to October | very small flowers |
| Lawn forget-me-nots | Myosotis laxa | biennial | up to 20 centimeters | lawns and meadows | May to July | |
| swamp forget-me-not | Myosotis scorpioides | perennial | up to 20 centimeters | swampy location | June | pond edge plant |
| prone | Myosotis decumbens | perennial | up to 40 centimeters | moist forests, riverbanks | June to August | |
| Colorful forget-me-nots | Myosotis discolor | annual | up to 30 centimeters | road and field edges | April to June | protected species |
For the home garden, mostly varieties are offered that were bred from the forest forget-me-not. Swamp forget-me-nots are suitable for planting at the edges of ponds.
Where is the forget-me-not native?
Forget-me-not species are found all over the world, with the exception of South America.
In Germany, most species occur in the wild. Colorful forget-me-nots are on the Red List.
Why does the forget-me-not bear his name?
There are different legends for the unusual name of the wild and ornamental plant.
A legend says that because of its small size, the flower asked God not to forget it. Other legends attribute the name to the blue color, which is said to resemble the eyes of newlyweds. Forget-me-nots are flowers of loyalty and are given away as a reminder of great love.
Wearing badges was forbidden during the National Socialist era. As a substitute, the German Masonic lodges used the forget-me-not as an emblem. Even today, the blue flower is a symbol for Freemasons.
tips
The botanical name "Myosotis" comes from the Greek language and means mouse ear. Two plant species were probably confused here, since the flowers of the forget-me-not bear no resemblance to the ears of mice.