Myosotidium hortensia

RHS Plant Profile
Chatham Island forget-me-not
Chatham Island forget-me-not RHS

Other common names

Antarctic forget-me-not, Chatham Island lily

Synonyms

Myosotidium hortensia 'Chatham Island'
Myosotidium nobile

Herbaceous Perennial

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

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Boraginaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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 peat-free, loam-based compost 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