Chinese forget-me-not Pinks & Clouds Mix

Chinese forget-me-not (Cynoglossum amabile) is a beautiful annual that strongly resembles the popular forget-me-not in its appearance. Unlike the common water forget-me-not, however, it does not overwinter in our conditions. It has sturdier and significantly longer stems growing to a height of 40 to 80 cm, so unlike spring forget-me-nots, it is perfectly suited for arranging in taller bouquets.

Yes, growing Chinese forget-me-not in containers is entirely possible and popular. The key is to choose a deeper pot and follow the rule of well-draining soil. Do not forget to place a high-quality drainage layer at the very bottom, as the plant cannot tolerate permanent waterlogging of the roots. Even on a sheltered balcony, we recommend providing it with a small, stable support as a preventive measure.

If you sow it in the spring, the Chinese forget-me-not will reliably bloom in the same year. It will bloom persistently from June, through July and August, until September. The small flowers, approximately 8 mm in size, will dazzle you with azure and light pink tones that perfectly complement its grey-green leaves.

Yes, it is literally a huge magnet for all kinds of insects! Its small, brightly colored flowers actively attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators. However, the plant itself is not aromatic and does not have a scent. It is the perfect choice if you want to naturally revitalize your garden's ecosystem.

Yes, we definitely recommend providing support. Given that the plant reaches a considerable height of 40 to 80 cm and forms thick, flower-heavy stems, it could easily break or lodge during bad weather. Properly placed support will safely prevent this problem in your flower bed.

Absolutely! Growing Chinese forget-me-not (Cynoglossum amabile) is considered exceptionally suitable for complete beginners. It does not require complex pinching, it successfully tolerates mild spring frosts down to -10 °C, and once it has properly germinated in the dark, it grows in the garden practically on its own and without any major effort.

No, there is absolutely no need to pinch this annual. The plant naturally develops sturdy and long stems on its own without any further intervention. It is perfectly sufficient to follow our recommended planting spacing of 15 to 20 cm between individual seedlings.

This flower is absolutely fantastic for cutting! It excels with its long, sturdy stems, which look excellent in bouquets and floral arrangements. Its deep blue color is very rare among cut flowers. However, it is unfortunately not suitable for drying at all, as it loses both its color and structure once dried.

You can choose between starting seeds indoors or direct sowing. Starting indoors: Begin 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost (roughly from March to May). Sow the seeds in a hole and cover them with soil, as Cynoglossum requires absolute darkness to germinate. You can cover the seed tray with black plastic, but it must be removed immediately after germination (which takes 5 to 10 days at a temperature of 18–20 °C). Direct sowing: This can be done in March, April, or May, as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. The strict rule of sowing in a hole to ensure darkness applies here as well.

This product features our exclusive Pinks & Clouds Mix. To ensure your garden shines evenly with every tone (from rare deep azure blue to light pink), we recommend placing 2 to 6 seeds per hole and ideally using the entire packet at once. This prevents one flower shade from dominating your flower bed.

The Cynoglossum will thrive best in full sun, but it can handle partial shade without any issues. Choose well-drained, loamy, and rather sandy soil. It requires only moderate watering, so keep the soil in the bed moist, but definitely avoid overwatering and never let it stand in water.

Please be very careful: Cynoglossum amabile is toxic in its entirety! The plant is under no circumstances edible and contains substances that can harm humans and pets. We therefore strongly recommend growing it in protected areas away from roaming dogs, cats, or curious small children.

This is almost always caused by unwanted light exposure. The Chinese forget-me-not has a very specific requirement: the seeds need absolute darkness to trigger germination. If you did not cover the seeds in the flowerbed with a sufficient layer of soil, or if you did not use dark plastic to temporarily cover the seed tray during spring pre-cultivation, the germination process simply will not start.

We have great news! The Chinese forget-me-not is an incredibly resilient plant by nature that does not suffer from any common molds or diseases, and typical pests tend to avoid it entirely. It is a completely healthy and carefree addition to your all-season ornamental garden.

Yes, the Cynoglossum (houndstongue) reseeds itself very readily, making it easy to grow. Even though the adult plant will not survive a hard winter, its seeds often persist in the soil, and young plants will sprout spontaneously in your flower bed the following spring. Additionally, targeted manual seed collection after flowering is very easy.