Myosotis alpestris

RHS Plant Profile
alpine forget-me-not

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alpine forget-me-not visionspictures.com
alpine forget-me-not visionspictures.com

Other common names

mountain forget-me-not

Synonyms

Myosotis alpina
Myosotis rupicola

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial

A compact, short-lived perennial to around 20cm high, with softly hairy, lance-shaped green leaves to 8cm long. Dense clusters of small sky-blue flowers with yellow centres are produced in spring and early summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Boraginaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Myosotis can be annuals, biennials or perennials, with simple leaves and clusters of small, salver-shaped blue, yellow or white flowers, with yellow or white eyes, in spring or early summer
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor or moderately fertile, sharply drained soil in full sun or part shade. Protect from excess winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in containers in a cold frame in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Banks and slopes
  • Bedding
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Cut back after flowering if seed is not required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews and downy mildews