Myosotidium hortensia
Chatham Island forget-me-not
M. hortensia is a perennial with large, somewhat fleshy, glossy emerald green leaves, to 30cm long, and terminal flowerheads of forget-me-not blue flowers, each 1.25cm across, pale round the edges with darker centres, held on stout stems, above or amongst the leaves in early summer, reaching 45cm in height
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Boraginaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Matforming
- Genus
Myosotidium is a monotypic genus in the borage family, Boraginaceae
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Chatham Islands
How to grow
Cultivation
Can be grown under glass in loam-based compost such as John Innes No 2 in bright filtered light. Apply a balanced fertiliser based on seaweed, once a month in the growing season and water freely. Outside, grow in a gritty, moist, well-drained soil with a mulch of seaweed if possible. Light shade and shelter from drying winds are the ideal conditions
Propagation
Propagate by seed, under glass in autumn as soon as ripe. Can also be propagated by division in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Patio and container plants
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Deadhead as flowers fade
Pests
Slugs can be a problem
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.