Myosotis scorpioides 'Mermaid'

RHS Plant Profile
water forget-me-not 'Mermaid'

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Aquatic Bogs Herbaceous Perennial
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A compact, rhizomatous, marginal aquatic perennial, to 23cm high, with strong upright or semi-upright stems and narrow, oblong dark green leaves to 6cm long. Bright blue flowers, to 8mm across, with a yellow eye, are produced in clusters in early summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, 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

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline 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
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in wet soil at pool margins, in water no deeper than 10cm, in full sun or partial shade. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in-situ, in mud at pond margins or in containers of moist compost in a coldframe in spring, or by division in spring - replant in mud or in baskets in shallow water

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews and downy mildews